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Folding front passenger seat?

Okay, I know I'm an outlier, but I have always wanted any car I own to be as flexible as possible regarding how it can be used and what it can carry. It seems to me that if the front passenger seat could be made to fold forward the Aptera could potentially carry very long objects, say lumber for a small do it yourself project, or fishing gear, or flat pack furniture, etc.

People might not use it very often, but would appreciate it when they do. If it could be done without great cost in money or weight I hope Aptera would consider this.

30 comments

30 Comments

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Luis Velasco

Jun 29, 2021

Since the steering wheel is in front of the driver's seat, I don't see a situation where the driver's seat can be made to fold forward flat. The passenger seat has been done on several cars, 3 of which I've owned (smart fortwo, Pontiac Vibe, Dodge Durango).

Silencz

Jun 30, 2021

Replying to

@Luis Velasco If the seat is far back enough I don't see why the steering wheel matters

Silencz

Jun 29, 2021

The passenger seat definitely folds forward, flat. I'm not entirely sure, however, if the driver seat folds forward as well, but considering the design of it (unique and appears to be sectioned off in the middle with a full rotation capability) and that the vehicle is meant to be used as a tent with maximized space, I think the driver's seat folds forward as well.

n.bruce.nelson

Jun 29, 2021

Replying to

@Len Aptera is still actively working on the final configuration of the seating and this has not been fixed yet. The gamma generation of vehicles are more likely to represent production intent for the interior features, at least for the first production vehicles.

Silencz

Jun 29, 2021

Replying to

@Len ah, I see. Making them flat would be just another epic component of this vehicle. I don't even like camping but with that feature I'll more than likely be taking more road trips than I would otherwise, free accommodation, almost zero spent on powering it. Actually a major reason I was going to get a Cybertruck would be to sleep in a few times a year, but Aptera does that better

Len

Jun 29, 2021

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Replying to

@n.bruce.nelson Right. All I can share are pictures that represent the Alha vehicles Noir and Sol so far ( Luna not shown complete yet)

They mention a more comfortable seat and more hip room, so to get yet to a totally flat seat would be 🤯

Unknown member

Jun 28, 2021

I envision a passenger seat that folds completely flat and would be flat on its back. It would provide a hard, flat table like surface on which one could place their fast food meal or a box full of books, towels, Pizza, an additional monitor, printer etc.

Len

Jun 28, 2021

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Replying to

@Luis Velasco I haven’t seen or heard if that as an option.

For what it is worth,... They show in one of their videos a tray like option, located where a glove compartment would be

993cc

Jun 29, 2021

Replying to

This is what I would like to see.

Unknown member

Jul 01, 2021

Replying to

Yes Luis, you are correct, though I doubt the seat back by itself would be thick enough to provide a completely flat extension of the rear deck.

Something could be placed on top of the seat back (a suitcase, pillow, folded blanket etc.) to take up the space thus making the surface continuous.

Eric Walters

Apr 24, 2021

I'm a string bass player, and would like something like the Aptera for getting around with my bass. A removable, or a fold flat option seams to be required for the passenger seat to meet my needs. There's a small possibility that the bass could lie flat in the cargo area, but I suspect there isn't enough height.

n.bruce.nelson

Jun 28, 2021

Replying to

I used to play upright bass and would love to again. I live on a boat at present and don't have the room. The beta models will have a lower floor in the back and I think there is a good chance that at least some basses will fit. This is something I will be checking out. I used to carry a bass in a 1966 Corvair!

Len

Mar 18, 2021

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They say it could fit seven foot surf boards

my_discord_number_is_0328

Mar 18, 2021

https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/60518ae761ed6a004111e3ed

https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/603ae8da2974f1001545e2ad

Luis Velasco

Mar 18, 2021

I've had folding front passenger seats in a Pontac Vibe, a smart fortwo, a Volvo station wagon and a Dodge Durango. This adds an enormous amount of flexibility in cargo carrying (I was able to carry six-foot long IKEA flat-packs in the smart car!). I strongly recommend that Aptera include this capability.

Tim Dean (15565)

Feb 03, 2021

Rear suspension needs to be self-leveling and have a “load mode” to lower the rear for easier cargo loading. (It’s a high lift over.)

Len

Jan 23, 2021

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Max total weight is *500# so if you can work within that limit...that would be nice!

*They will assess if this can be more

993cc

Jan 23, 2021

Replying to

I hope it can be more. If I manage to afford an Aptera there's no way I'll be able to afford liposuction as well.

Derek

Jan 23, 2021

For even greater versatility, why not remove the seat? Unbolt it from the frame and unclip the wiring harnesses. That takes care of extra-long items and potentially enables heavier cargo since it's in the passenger area. Or will that set off all sorts of codes and warnings?

pistonboy

Jul 01, 2021

Replying to

On one of my RAV4s, I have removed all seats except the driver's seat. It is very useful, plus no-one asks me for a ride.

Len

Jan 22, 2021

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Sorry for any confusion...Confirmed on these answers

500# total weight, where it seems 200# max in cargo area unless testing proves more

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11Of3g6RYqstbXecs7j2UHHd_b8s5MebxEs-ZwkyMiiQ/edit

Randy Spencer

Dec 13, 2020

Wait, what? I am 260lbs all by myself. Am I buying another car that will bottom out when I have a passenger aboard?

993cc

Dec 13, 2020

Replying to

If it's 300 lb. for EACH passenger we should be fine. As for the 200 lb. cargo limit, that's understandable, given the rearward and high position of the cargo area. You don't want a three wheel vehicle to have a weight bias toward the end with one wheel. That was the Reliant Robin's problem.

Randy Spencer

Dec 12, 2020

I had to move a 10' rug home from Pottery Barn and not ONE of my 7 vehicles was able to accommodate it inside. I ended up using the Tesla M3 with the trunk open on the drive home, ugly. But the rug didn't stick out much more than the trunk lid did.

Not one of my cars could fold down the passenger seat, or lay it flat the other direction. I needed a car as wide as my Tesla to run the rug between the seats. I probably couldn't even have done it with a CyberTruck, so if the Aptera has it that would make me happy.

993cc

Dec 12, 2020

Replying to

Now imagine you had to pick up that rug during a slush storm, and you'll see why a folding seat is WAY better than having to leave the trunk open. (at least with an E.V. you don't need to worry about fumes!) I'm needing to do things like this all the time, and ironically my Geo Metro was the best equipped of all my cars to handle it, because I could remove the lightweight back seat by pulling four screws, then I could recline the front seat flat. Plus it had a cheap, durable "hard touch" plastic interior, so if the long stuff had to rest on the dashboard, no problem.

Driving out of the lumber yard with a stack of 2x4s inside, while SUV and pickup owners had them sticking out the back, I felt a little smug.

devix195

Dec 10, 2020

I think this is a good idea to give more flexibility.

Len

Dec 10, 2020

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The front seat was moved forward in a recent video to show that slight move can allow a tall ~ 7’ person to be able to sleep in the cargo area