“After years of focused effort to bring our products to the market, Aptera Motors is closing its doors, effective today. This is a difficult time for everyone connected with our company because we have never been closer to realizing our vision. Unfortunately, though, we are out of resources. It is especially disappointing since we were so close.”

“We remain confident, even as this chapter closes, that Aptera has contributed new technologies to build a future for more efficient driving. Through the dedicated staff at Aptera, our board and suppliers we have touched this future. All that remains is for someone to grab it. We still believe it will happen.”

Once in a while, a unique creation comes along and takes the best of both worlds and melds classic cars appeal and technology together into one beautiful, advanced machine. The RA DBR2 Auto is built around a state-of-the-art carbon-fiber tub and aluminum honeycomb monocoque chassis that weighs a feather-like 100 kgs (220 lbs), overlaid with carbon-fiber body panels lined with Nomex. Power will come from a far less exotic Jaguar straight-six or V12 engine, or a LS3 V8 engine borrowed from Corvette. Also quite earthly is the 5-speed manual box for the Jaguar engines. A 6-speed manual and automatic are on offer with the LS3 V8.
Price for the model pictured here is 180,000 US dollars, or 128,000 euros.

Rizk Auto

According to Shull, “In the spirit of NASA and its forthcoming 2020 lunar expeditions in preparation for colonizing the moon, the Terrestrial Shrub Rover presents the opportunity to explore terrestrial and social environments back on Earth from within a manned, foliage bedecked, solar electric powered rover.”

Justin Shull

The

Light sport aircraft licences require just 20 hours’ flying time, making them much easier to obtain than full private licences.

The two-seater Transition can use its front-wheel drive on roads at ordinary highway speeds, with wings folded, at a respectable 30 miles per gallon. Once it has arrived at a suitable take-off spot – an airport, or adequately sized piece of flat private land – it can fold down the wings, engage its rear-facing propellor, and take off. The folding wings are electrically powered.

Its cruising speed in the air is 115mph, it has a range of 460 miles, and it can carry 450lb. It requires a 1,700-foot (one-third of a mile) runway to take off and can fit in a standard garage.
Via [Telegraph.co.uk] & [Thepesurfer]

LC470
Via [Josh Spears]

Designers at the Royal College of Art were challenged to create a digital design for a Bentley coupe that embraces aerodynamics and reduced energy consumption while maintaining a 21st aesthetic that suits the brand. Here are the finalists plus additional submissions and sketches.

The challenge:
“Explore a new Aerodynamic lead design direction for Bentley, develop a digital design for a Bentley coupe that speaks to lean mid 21st century tastes, and that truly embraces aerodynamics to both reduce energy consumption and form part of a future Bentley design aesthetic.”

Bentley
Via [Wallpaper]

Acceleration from 0-60 in 4 seconds, a range of 1,000 miles for a full 6 gallon tank of fuel, recuperation of the energy while braking, and roomy areas for passengers and trunks. The future seems to be so near.

Pinned by Toronto-based Davide Tonizzo, of designD, Venturi-inspired lines on the side panels and aero driven features help define the brand.

The Elm Grove company develops hydrostatic power trains for more than 15 years. The IngoCar will use a revolutionary hydraulic-fluid drive and its optimized weight, down to 1,600 lbs, to achieve an estimated mileage of 170 mpg, with a mix of city and rural driving.

“We are proud to unveil our vision of an automobile that has the style, interior space, comfort and cost of a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E-Class combined with unprecedented range and fuel economy.”

[Valentine Technologies]
Via [carbodydesign]

Trexa is aiming to make electric car designing as easy as simply picking up parts and plugging them in your dream machine. The company has unveiled the world’s first fully electric vehicle development platform that lets users design the vehicle on their own.
The platform includes everything from a battery to power electronics. For starters, the standard platform has an acceleration of 0-60mph in 8 sec, a top speed of 100mph, a 105 mile range, and a charge time of 4 hours (based upon an efficiency of 200Wh per mile — comparable to a Prius in electric mode).The on-board batteries can be recharged in just four hours.

Via [Inhabitat]

The Halcyon concept car is designed by Ralph Tayler-Webb from Reflex Studio is an electric powered car that has an aerodynamic structure with covered wheels and a tapering teardrop cabin which reduces air drag.
With a structure made from porous aluminum foam, the Halcyon mimics the owl’s hollow bones and makes it surprisingly light for its generous volume. Aluminum foam also benefits from high impact and acoustic absorbency, keeping the occupants safe and (without) sound.

Link