300 mpg for under $30,000

[liberal N proud]

Yesterday I was ranting here about the fuel mileage of todays cars pointing to an article about a 1987 Honda. Rant can be read here if interested... http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2520718&mesg_id=2520718

Today, in my quest for a fuel efficient vehicle I found an article about Aptera: The 'Wingless Bird' boasting 300 mpg.

Aptera: The 'Wingless Bird'
A California startup says its airplane-inspired vehicle can deliver 300 mpg for under $30,000.
When Steve Fambro got bored building robots at a San Diego genetics company, he figured he could help keep his brain busy by building a kit airplane in his spare time. But his wife deemed the hobby too dangerous, so Fambro decided to build a car instead, one with low emissions and absurdly high mileage. Called the Aptera (Greek for "wingless"), the machine now exists as a working prototype. It has 2.5 seats, three wheels, weighs a feathery 1,500 pounds, and Fambro says his company will put the Aptera into production next October.


http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=444375&topart=passenger


Still not the type of vehicle I need but it is a start and maybe if I were only looking for a local or commuter car this would be the answer.

[annabanana]

1. I couldn't get into that with a shoehorn & a chainsaw!

And just where does my creaky old Black Lab go?

[liberal N proud]

7. My problem with the size of these things is comfort

I need a car I can ride 12 hours in. Most of my travel is cross country and I put in long days just to make it to my destination in a reasonable time.
This doesn't look too comfy.

[Yuugal]

8. Roof?

Stock extra wiper fluid. :)

[dantyrant]

10. Romney sez: strap the dog to the hood! :) n/t

[liberal N proud]

12. Clark Griswold

Oh no wait the dog was tied to the bumper Aunt Edna was tied to the roof.

[dantyrant]

14. hehehe

I wonder if anyone will say grace tonight by reciting the pledge of allegiance.

[Donnachaidh]

36. hell - where does my 6'5" hubby and 6" 15 year old go?

I've almost got them talked into a mini cooper -- but THIS thing? And how does it stand up in crash tests? While I'm a good driver -- the other lunatics on the road are NOT.

[baldguy]

2. How does it handle with 6 inches of snow on the ground?

[liberal N proud]

9. That remains to be seen

I too live in the snow laden north and it can be tough enough with what we drive now. This thing wouldn't be practical if I could only drive it 5/6 months a year.

[TwilightZone]

3. It'll be interesting to see if they're able to meet their target date and price.

The Tesla Roadster (which is a lot more expensive, of course) has experienced multiple delays, the price went up, and the estimated fuel mileage went down by the time it actually started production. Hopefully, this vehicle will be able to avoid the same issues.

As you said, it's definitely a starting point. If someone can mass-produce a more practical car in a similar price range, it could have a big influence on the auto industry.

[Redstone]

4. Three HUNDRED mpg? That's a weasel figure (as in "equivalent"), not an actual

figure. And it would be interesting to see how he figures to get that thing through safety certification.

Redstone

[liberal N proud]

5. Even if it was to get 100 mpg it would be a move in the right direction

I too would have to see 300 mpg to actually believe it. But someone is proving that higher gas mileage in possible and that is what I am looking for. Something to break the damned oil companies stranglehold on our wallets.

[Redstone]

6. Oh, yes, indeed. I'm not disparaging anyone for trying.

Redstone

[rucky]

23. Yeah, it's probably more like 280. What crap! n/t

[noamnety]

33. I doubt the safety cert is a problem.

If it's three wheeled, it's technically a motorcycle, I think, and exempt from crash testing.

Some of the three wheelers are voluntarily meeting car safety standards though, so maybe they will as well. The venture one is doing that. http://flytheroad.com/

[Lorien]

39. See post #22

It exceeds some safety standards. Apparently it has a roll cage similar to those used in race cars, and it's not as small as it first appears.

[Yuugal]

11. Wow!

One seat for each cheek!

[liberal N proud]

13. Now the article says 2 1/2 seats

What ever that means and they could be bicycle seats for all we know.

[flvegan]

15. Except for what appears to be a massive blind spot

that basically blocks 100% of your rear vision, it looks pretty cool.

Crash testing. That will be what might sell me on it.

[Dawggie]

18. Since they are using cameras for side view mirrors, I would guess

that the same is being done for the rear?

[seriousstan]

16. 0-60 mph in just under........well they don't say. Maybe it is still trying.

[Selatius]

17. It doesn't look road safe.

You're better off converting a car into a diesel-electric hybrid, since diesel engines burn energy more efficiently than traditional combustion engines and produce lower emissions pound for pound. It's why many German and French cars are diesel-powered instead of gas-powered.

[malakai2]

24. What does it look like after a 35 mph collision with a truck?

I'm all for high mileage, but if a car isn't safe for me to drive, it doesn't matter if it gets 1000 mpg, I won't be driving it.

[roody]

35. How do you convert a diesel into a hybrid?

I am eagerly awaiting a hybrid diesel!!!

[papau]

19. REdo as a 1965 MG-B w/ 14 in wheel, 940 kg, 4 pass - get 100 mpg and no problem

Use series-hybrid electric motor on each wheel with new LI battery when it comes out with that 200 mile range, and lose enough Wind tunnel design to have it function as a hatchback - and use 4 wheels, adding the safety equipment required for a car.

Now that is a plug in I would buy.

[fascisthunter]

20. The Potential is Already Here (nt)

[lvx35]

21. I'll take it. Except that for some mysterious reason it will cost $80,000 nt

[1]

22. It's interesting. Here's a link to a video.

Video test drive

[Lorien]

26. Great video, resolves some of the safety issues

If I had the extra cash I would definitely get one. 90% of my driving is in town, and with the included safety features I think that I would be safe in just about any collision on the roads that I typically travel.

[Poiuyt]

25. High mileage cars that Americans can't buy

Check out some of these cars that are on the streets outside the US:

http://www.peakoil.com/fortopic24763.html

It's really frustrating to see the kind of cars the rest of the world can buy. It seems like all we get are SUVs (higher profit margin).

[Lorien]

27. Geez, that's depressing

some awesome designs, and some even made by American car manufacturers. So why the heck can't we buy these? I suppose it does come down to what you suggest; a higher profit margin. Also, oil is king in the US of A. Shame. More and more it looks like we're just too damn stupid and greedy as a species to survive. :-(

[bullwinkle428]

31. Too bad GM all but killed off the diesel market

back in the early 80s with their dreadful excuses for diesel-powered cars! If the public didn't still have that bad taste in their mouths, we probably would have a decent market segment of diesel cars available. As is stands now, VW's new TDI won't be here until next fall, and a few others are expected to enter the fold as well. I'm looking forward to Honda's efforts...

[Donnachaidh]

38. That Lupo reminds me of the Yugo

Are there any left on the road in the US (Yugos, that is)?

[MUAD_DIB]

28. It might be a nice summer car, but it would never

make it through a winter in the northern climes.

[blues90]

29. $30,000 !!!!!!!!!!!!

No car is worth that sort of money , what people need is a cheap fuel efficient car not a payment book 5 inches thick . These car companies are out of control with their prices . That thing looks like one good bump and the entire front fender along with the wheel would come off . It looks like something that serves as a coffin after the accident .

[superkia]

30. Just watch out for those big ass SUV's, that could be ugly.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

32. Or, I could just keep my '94 Toyota and spend the $30k on gas for the next 10 years.

Which would more than suffice for at least 10 years considering that I'm retired and don't drive much.

And, I could spend the 30k on stuff I want.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

34. Takes no fuel:

Note: Does well in 6" of snow if you strap two of them together.

[IDemo]

37. We actually have a guy here who rides one of those on busy streets

wearing a pith helmet, no less.