December 6, 2007

You don’t have to be envious with the Jetsons now

Filed under: Uncategorized - BigPimple @ 3:07 am

 

Almost everyone of us knows George Jetson, his family and the car he drives..oh! I mean, the car he flies. Getting a little bit envious because he doesn’t have to be in traffic jams because he’s above it? Get it over with because in months time, we can have his flying car too.

Based in California, a company named Aptera will bring us to our most desired “wingless flight”, by the way, that’s what the company name means in Greek with the Typ-1. The typ-1 is a three wheeled electric flying vehicle…see? Even flying has to be environment friendly now. As a product of efforts with world renown Idealab also known as the “technology incubator”, next year, the flying car will debut in California bearing a tag price of $30,000 close to the price of the latest Acura Csx with its standard Acura Csx cylinder head gasket.

So like any car, here are its specs, features and capabilities:

The Typ-1 can run 120 miles before needing a recharge via regular electric outlet, a process that takes just a few hours, Aptera says.

  • "Two plus one" seating that allows for two adults in front and an infant (with carseat) in the middle behind them. That back area also has enough space to fit 15 bags of groceries, two full-size golf club bags or even a couple of seven foot surf boards with the infant seat removed.
  • A front end that redirects crash energy in a frontal impact, steel and composite side and rollover protection as well as driver and passenger side airbags.
  • Solar cells on the roof that power an "always on" climate control system, ensuring the interior never gets too hot or too cold.
  • "Eyes Forward" vision system that replaces the side mirrors with "embedded cameras that display a 180-degree rear view in the front of the instrument panel. "The system gives the driver complete situational awareness without taking their eyes off of the road," Aptera says.
  • LED interior and exterior lighting for energy efficiency.

"Early adopters and plug-in car advocates will love these cars," says Felix Kramer, who heads the California Cars Initiative, a group aiming to see plug-in hybrids mass produced. "Every carmaker watching the competition will be motivated to join the great automotive race of the 21st century: to electrify transportation."

But Jim Motavalli, author of "Forward Drive," a look at green car development, has his doubts. The concept "just looks wildly impractical to me," he says. "The ‘pod’ concept wastes all the interior space to be had by building a enveloping body on top of the wheelbase."

"People have been waiting to see Jetsons-style cars on the road for decades, but had to settle for very mild versions, maybe their time has finally come." says Kramer.

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