I know it works on opposing wheels to control turns, but other than spining the tail to reduce friction for ”tank turns“, the Aptera is so light, why spend almost $5k for a 3rd wheel motor? It’s 0-60 is about 5 seconds with just the front wheel motors. The 3rd wheel motor only buys 2 seconds in a drag race.
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That’s what I‘m thinking exactly. Go from 400 mile AWD to 600 mile 2WD it’s close to an even $ trade (I think). That is unless the 3rd motor allows for something useful & special for every day use that I don’t know about. Monroe sure seems to be excited about them.
I live in SW Georgia where snow is not an issue. I also feel comfortable with 0 to 60 in 5 seconds. I think I'm going to change my order to two wheel drive, 600 range with full solar.
I just consider it like any other car that has the option of FWD or AWD, with associated traction, acceleration, weight, complexity & torque vectoring.
My current FWD BEV has traction control & some sort of ESC but I don't miss them at all when fully deactivated (pulled fuse), even sliding around corners, because it's pretty well-balanced. A 250-600 mile Aptera should be too, since they have room to move the battery to the best position.
Sandy Monroe is also working on Nobe. Driving in deep snow. https://youtu.be/DjCT1zalILI
The Nobe has all wheek drive, but is it necessary?
I reserved AWD not for the speed or “doing donuts” but for best safety in our monsoon season
They said it would be great in snow but I doubt I would snowy states in winter
They will have a Dev vehicle in Slovenia so hope to see snow driving videos from there soon?!