Aptera center console

[OZ.]

The components for the center console are modular and easily changeable. The displayed cupholder unit could be the only one available for the first deliveries, but we have no firm answer for that. Other options are planned. IIRC there is talk of some sort of phone charging infrastructure.

[OkieKev]

I had my concerns on the center console and cup holders as well. Actually from the first renderings of them but confirmed that they didn’t pivot and went with the original concept. The cup holder looks to require two hand operation and it looked like a zipper closer on the console. If those stay to final production, I’m thinking I will have to make some sort of insert for the cup holder and never zip the console closed.

[Greek]

Center console was the least impressive thing of the interior.

[george-hughes]

If the center console is designed for ‘replacement’ – i.e. easily removed fasteners/clips – I suspect it will be among the first ‘aftermarket’ pieces to feature specialized uses.

While it may provide an arm rest, a fully flat floor is also a wonderous thing.

Fortunately I don’t have any ideas on this at all. Kind of like a SCOTUS justice and porn, I’ll only know if it is any good if when I see it.

[kerbe2705]

@George Hughes The center “beam” is necessary for the rigidity of Aptera’s inner structural unit: The ambassadors asked about it more than a year ago.

There was some talk that it might be used to hold additional stacked battery modules but we now know that, while the 250 and the 400 range battery packs will use 2170-size cells, the 600 and 1000 range packs will use either 2665 or 4680 cells. The battery packs will be flat and rectangular and will fit under the floor of the cabin.

[Pistonboy]

SIMPLE: Offer a more traditional console like what was first displayed. Let people choose. See which one people prefer.

[Fran]

With exchangeable modules you already have the choice. I prefer the removable modules because I want to be able to remove them all and put a cushion between/overhanging the seats for my occasional third passenger.

[UnidentifiedDrivingObject]

I’ll opt out of that flimsy dollar-store quality looking bungee mesh cup holders, if that is the final end design. Looks awful, and it cheapens the interior.

[harry-parker]

I heard from one of the employees from a show video that the cup holder has already been redesigned. The new design will be revealed when the Delta pre-production prototype is revealed, this November or December.

[Fran]

The design is removable changeable modules, only three of which have been made. You have the choice.

[bart-cunningham]

The mesh version of the center console is the first thing I will look at changing as soon as I get mine. Maybe a 3D printing project?

[Pistonboy]

Is this pineapple leather?

Whatever it is called, it looks like worn out, recycled vinyl, dug out of a dumpster.

[Greek]

I didn’t taste it, but yes it was pineapple. It didn’t really match the cleanliness of the rest of the interior that is – the bungee cup holders . It has a nice thick leathery look to it but needs better trim work and finishing.

[robert-engelhart]

I will just say it, that bungie cord nightmare is the dumbest thing I have seen in years.

[joshua-rosen]

It looks completely impractical. Hopefully they’ll get the message and replace it with something usable.

[Pistonboy]

The console was designed by an artist and artists are only concerned with being creative.

Creativity equates to being different. It can be ugly. It can be impractical. It can be useless. The only thing important is being different.

[Qiang]

I also feel the center console design and material can be improved, although center console itself is no big deal in my list of things. The biggest disappointment to me is the structural central beam prevents the possibility of installing a after-market 3-person bench seat.

[cody-cody-schaner]

Cup holders and pedal +/- need to go. Can do much better. Everything else mimics a Model 3, why loose that inspiration on cupholder and pedals.

[rex-schneider]

I agree the cup holder needs a more practical upgrade but the + and – pedals are quirky. I like them they fit the car.

[Pragmatic_to_a_Fault]

First thing to go away is this monstrosity.

[paul-kirchner]

I don’t think you will because I’m betting it won’t be there. Whatever we’re looking at now will not be there at the end. Lot’s of hand wringing going on for no reason.

[marcos-reyes]

If you remove the center console, how tall is the floor between the seats? Is there a ridge in the floorboard under the console?

[OZ.]

Yes there is a ridge there, it is part of the basic construction of the main body, it provides both an area for wiring and other items to pass through, but more importantly provides a great deal of the strength and stability of the basic shell. I do not have the measurements, there may be some photos somewhere (Especially of the Beta vehicle.) that will give you a fair idea of the size.

[john-larocque]

Here’s a photo of Gamma; there is a transmission-tunnel-esque ridge between and slightly higher than the front seats. As OZ said it’s structural and used for wiring etc. (The beige parts are removable, the structure they’re attached to is not.) Might change slightly for Delta/production, but most likely not by much.

More pictures of the top of the center console:

https://i1.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Aptera-Gamma-dash.jpg?strip=info&w=1400&ssl=1

https://i2.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Aptera-Gamma-side.jpg?strip=info&w=1400&ssl=1

[marcos-reyes]

Thanks, the last image is really helpful.

[kerbe2705]

@Marcos Reyes Just adding to the dogpile to make certain you understand that there is no “center console”: It’s part of the cabin floor pan and provides structural rigidity. One of the very first images Aptera ever shared of the Alpha construction was the floor plan mold and that channel has been part of the vehicle ever since.

[Pistonboy]

The console “clashes” with the rest of the interior. (I think clash is the word designers use.) The interior of Aptera follows the “ethos” of minimalism, having a clean look with few lines. The console is “busy” with many components and many lines, with some lines even at a diagonal angle. A single piece console with clean lines would be my preference.

While I do not like the console, I believe Jason has done an absolutely fantastic design with the vehicle exterior! I normally do not like curved lines. I like straight lines and right angles. However, I very much like the exterior with its curves. Anyone who creates curves that I like, is talented.

[daniel-thompson]

As an Aptera reservation holder and a hater of ALL center consoles, I hope Aptera ignores all of these guys. Do not sink another red cent into designing “a better center console” that I plan to rip out anyways.

[ROMAD]

The center console is DESIGNED to be removable, so you won’t have to “rip” it out.

[OkieKev]

Now I’m confused on what will make to production. The pineapple leather/modular center console I thought was scrapped and the Delta renderings showed a completely different setup. Chris said nothing about the change in the interview.😕

• This reply was modified 1 month, 2 weeks ago by  Kevin Bradbury. Reason: Video link added

[Biker]

Just because he didn’t mention the change, doesn’t mean there won’t be one. Jason Hill also mentioned that the center console will be simplified (pineapple leather is out) and for now assume the latest renders of the console is what production will be close to.

[john-malcom]

👍