Will choosing the off-road package impact the vehicle's efficiency at all? Increase the drag coefficient? It would be nice to see some testing numbers on that option.
31 comments
Like
31 Comments
Commenting on this post isn't available anymore. Contact the site owner for more info.
A: "Right now it's 14/12 deg on the front and 14/20 deg on the rear with 5" of wheel cover clearance at each wheel... Also, the Off-Road add-ons will increase this significantly."
That could be the easiest but I don’t like “the look” of no wheel covers that much and the primitive road debris might damage the vinyl wrap out here. But no big deal I have the time to take care of this manageable sized vehicle
Graded primitive roads is the extent of my Off Road driving.
Actually once we know the “ full details” , pros/cons I may rethink need for the Off Road. I don’t have to go out on a monsoon day...which has been the case the past years.
I believe the street model wheel covers have pretty impressive entry/exit angles, or just leave them at home. Or maybe ask Aptera if they fit in the hatch.
Yes Still not defined beyond what is on the order spec sheet
I want to talk to the Forest Service here too but need to understand more.
Surely not for our local US Customs and Border Patrol as the vehicles, by me are all high clearance trucks, All Terrain tires, heavier towing specs and back seating. But I will keep and eye out for opportunities
I'm really waiting for this option to be further defined. I am a volunteer with the National Park Service and I think it would be a great! Also (HINT Aptera staff), I think the NPS and others might be interested in these as government vehicles to help in a number of clean energy roles... I'll take mine in GREEN please!
Yup, and the camping option would be awesome for overnight stays. And the ability to charge from the sun up to 44 miles per day is great if you're out in the middle of nowhere.
In before somebody suggests automatic hydraulic suspension. 😆 Since it already has an on-board computer it can auto-detect for how high off the ground the Aptera would need to have clearance. Then once back on the smooth paved road, the Aptera would auto-lower itself to its original air-piercing log-drag profile. Something like this could be offered as an option for those who drive the Aptera in mixed environments, as well as in a "Deluxe Package" with a manual override for those who intend to cruise the Aptera down Nevada Boulevard at 10 miles per hour whilst winking at every potential mate that they pass. 😂
It goes to 9" clearance just with no "skirt" & switching to plain front fenders. "Hot-rod" style shown, but "dirt-bike" style might be a nice off-road option.
From comments by the Aptera folks I understand the ride height to be adjustable with the Off road package. I don't know how much increase will be available from the stock 5" of ground clearance.
Like
Unknown member
Dec 20, 2020
How much would it increase the ground clearance and will the ride height be adjustable?
Increased ground clearance isn't needed for snow, just better tires with better traction. I am interested in the off road option for driving off paved roads, to trailheads, etc.
I'm not clear of one thing: Is the Off Road Kit something permanently mounted to the car, or something you put on relatively easily when you want to use it? If the latter, then I's say get it and use it in heavy snow weather.
You won't be driving at high speeds if there's snow on the road anyway. With it mounted the Aptera is still sure to be more efficient than any other vehicle you can drive.
Wouldn't it be nice to treat the Off Road options like changing into your winter tires, where after the messy season you can simply return to low roll resistant tires , standard shape and lightweight wheel pants. Since we don’t know the details on increased GC yet, or if provided... can’t talk about that unless it is air lifted????
Yeah, that would be pretty great. Best of both worlds.
Like
Unknown member
Mar 08, 2021
Replying to
@Len I am no expert, but I would think you could remove the pants and skirt for those times when you would want to go off-road. You might even add skid plates to the suspension parts to protect them.
Yeah, intuitively I understand it has to, but the magnitude would matter a lot to my choice. Are we talking 3% mileage hit? 7%? 15%? At 3% I would be a definite yes, 7% a maybe, 15% a definite no. I'd probably just plan to drive another car in the snow.
Line 114 of Aptera's FAQ Sheet:
Q: "What are approach and departure angles?..."
A: "Right now it's 14/12 deg on the front and 14/20 deg on the rear with 5" of wheel cover clearance at each wheel... Also, the Off-Road add-ons will increase this significantly."
That could be the easiest but I don’t like “the look” of no wheel covers that much and the primitive road debris might damage the vinyl wrap out here. But no big deal I have the time to take care of this manageable sized vehicle
Graded primitive roads is the extent of my Off Road driving.
Actually once we know the “ full details” , pros/cons I may rethink need for the Off Road. I don’t have to go out on a monsoon day...which has been the case the past years.
I believe the street model wheel covers have pretty impressive entry/exit angles, or just leave them at home. Or maybe ask Aptera if they fit in the hatch.
@Len "high clearance"? The street model Aptera comes from the factory with 9 inches.
Yes Still not defined beyond what is on the order spec sheet
I want to talk to the Forest Service here too but need to understand more.
Surely not for our local US Customs and Border Patrol as the vehicles, by me are all high clearance trucks, All Terrain tires, heavier towing specs and back seating. But I will keep and eye out for opportunities
I'm really waiting for this option to be further defined. I am a volunteer with the National Park Service and I think it would be a great! Also (HINT Aptera staff), I think the NPS and others might be interested in these as government vehicles to help in a number of clean energy roles... I'll take mine in GREEN please!
In before somebody suggests automatic hydraulic suspension. 😆 Since it already has an on-board computer it can auto-detect for how high off the ground the Aptera would need to have clearance. Then once back on the smooth paved road, the Aptera would auto-lower itself to its original air-piercing log-drag profile. Something like this could be offered as an option for those who drive the Aptera in mixed environments, as well as in a "Deluxe Package" with a manual override for those who intend to cruise the Aptera down Nevada Boulevard at 10 miles per hour whilst winking at every potential mate that they pass. 😂
Will it affect stability at highway speeds 70-75 mph?
Just a rendering.
They have only duscussed vinyl wraps for vehicle color
The old “rendering” makes it look like different tires, but who knows
would the off road package come with different tires?
Std 9” at belly pan only with nice angle of approach. But not sure if we get 6 to ?” with the shorter off road wheel covers
It goes to 9" clearance just with no "skirt" & switching to plain front fenders. "Hot-rod" style shown, but "dirt-bike" style might be a nice off-road option.
From comments by the Aptera folks I understand the ride height to be adjustable with the Off road package. I don't know how much increase will be available from the stock 5" of ground clearance.
How much would it increase the ground clearance and will the ride height be adjustable?
Increased ground clearance isn't needed for snow, just better tires with better traction. I am interested in the off road option for driving off paved roads, to trailheads, etc.
I'm not clear of one thing: Is the Off Road Kit something permanently mounted to the car, or something you put on relatively easily when you want to use it? If the latter, then I's say get it and use it in heavy snow weather.
You won't be driving at high speeds if there's snow on the road anyway. With it mounted the Aptera is still sure to be more efficient than any other vehicle you can drive.
Wouldn't it be nice to treat the Off Road options like changing into your winter tires, where after the messy season you can simply return to low roll resistant tires , standard shape and lightweight wheel pants. Since we don’t know the details on increased GC yet, or if provided... can’t talk about that unless it is air lifted????
Yeah, intuitively I understand it has to, but the magnitude would matter a lot to my choice. Are we talking 3% mileage hit? 7%? 15%? At 3% I would be a definite yes, 7% a maybe, 15% a definite no. I'd probably just plan to drive another car in the snow.
It certainly won't help efficiency. Probably a slight hit