- The small firm has previously said it’s received 50,000 pre-orders for the car.
- Solar panels across the body can add 40 miles of range per day.
- Many important specifications about the car remain unconfirmed.
Aptera has unveiled the production-intent version of its long-awaited three-wheel EV on the eve of CES in Las Vegas. It’s been four long years since the car was first unveiled as a concept, and more than two years since production was initially penciled in to start. Since that time, development of the car has continued in earnest, and according to the brand, it’s now “poised to redefine the future of mobility.”
The design of the production model is largely identical to the original concept, meaning it continues to look more like a spaceship than a conventional EV. Pininfarina played an important role in perfecting the aerodynamics of the car at its wind tunnel in Turin, Italy. Aperta says the car has one of the lowest drag coefficients of any production passenger vehicle, but hasn’t publicized a number just yet.
Read: Aptera Starts Testing First Production-Intent Three-Wheeler Prototype
It’s not just the design of the EV that’s intriguing. As much of the bodywork is covered in solar panels, the brand claims most drivers will be able to enjoy daily use without ever needing to plug in to charge. If parked outside, the car can generate enough electricity for 40 miles (64 km) of driving per day. When fully charged, it can travel up to 400 miles (644 km).
A 42 kWh battery pack has been squeezed beneath the car’s slippery surfaces. Soon after the small brand graced the world stage, it said that 25 kWh, 40 kWh, 60 kWh, and 100 kWh battery packs would be available, but this no longer seems to be the case. Many technical details about the car also remain under wraps, including how much power it has and what sort of performance times it’ll be able to deliver.
Speaking about the launch of the production-intent model in Las Vegas, the senior vice president of Business Unit Mobility at Pininfarina, Giuseppe Bonollo, said: “Aptera has truly pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in vehicle design and efficiency. We have always made aerodynamics an essential component in design at Pininfarina. We are therefore thrilled to have supported the aerodynamic validation of the Aptera vehicle with truly unique results.”
As of the brand’s most recent update in November 2024, it said it had 50,000 pre-orders for the car. Pricing and availability details have not been finalized, but the company’s website says prices will range from $25,900 to roughly $46,000.
