I am very interested in the suspension using inboard mounted spring over shocks shown in the pictures. The advantages versus disadvantages/cost of resin-infused sandwich-core composite suspension components is a feature I feel is worth discussing.
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I like the idea of air shocks on all 3 wheels allowing a lot of vertical position control. It would: 1) Provide offroad capability as standard, 2) Make the car narrower for parking and 3) Make it easier to get into and out of the car.
Thoughts ? Totally impractical I'm afraid.
Arrrg!
Just measured the width of my garage doors. The wheel fairings at 88" is doing to make it a very, very tight fit.
How about incorporating a mechanism in the front subframe which allows the track width to be decreased when moving at slow speeds for negotiating narrow roads (and fitting through my garage door). Thinking that having the subfame lateral tubes telescope into each other would bring all suspension mounting points in by 23 to 24cm, resulting in the overall vehicle width to be down to 2 meters.
Thoughts?
@Bernard_S You are mostly correct in your assessment of the current cost of metal 3D printed metal parts.
Please be aware that situation dramatically changes later this year when a new technology comes on line. The part costs could come down by at least an order of magnitude, or more.
Following up on comments above, I am in contact with Aptera in an effort to make sure they are aware of when they can incorporate this new process in their sourcing.
If that upper wishbone was 3D printed in metal it would cost thousands using current technology.
email them about this. All of us working together can make a difference. I am also researching suppliers in a different area. They are going to be dependent on many other suppliers meeting their own commitments, and in the midst of Covid, it might be somewhat surprising if everyone comes through on the hoped for timelines. That said, I completely agree with you. Many of the Big Three new vehicle production dates have already slipped, so this is the reality we are living in.
Cross post from other unrelated thread...
I would like to find out which supplier is going to be providing their metal suspension components with the intent of working with that supplier to see if we can do anything to help make them faster (by months) and less expensive (by a large percentage).
Providing a picture from the website and a blog post of what I suspect is a front A-arm below to support the notion that this should be a 3D printed part.