Grab Handles

[vernon-sinnott]

I can relate. Some days I have had to roll out of bed. I have had problems getting into and out of my Jeep.

[993cc]

“I’m worried about getting in and out with a bad back.”

Don’t worry. When you get in, you’ll still have your bad back.

Just kidding. I, and my back, support this idea.

[christopher-barrett]

First, I heard of side curtain airbags, not sure they intend to do that?

[Biker]

There are no side curtain airbags.

[Greek]

The seats are lower than I imagined….sports car low. As the opening of the APTERA’s rear curvature near the back of the seat you will notice (especially with rear seat all the way back on its track) that you need to clear the body of the vehicle before you get to the seat. So you can’t slide your behind unless you clear the body 1st. I know that developing the Gama that they mention they lowered the seat and we’re proud of the extra headroom doing so. With the seat all the way back ( I’m 5’7” you will be sitting in the lowest position). I felt I couldn’t see much over the dash, so I scotched up on the edge of the seat to get a better view…I truly couldn’t get a proper sense of my view or comfort. As I mentioned also, I felt the huge screen dominated my space overall.

[joshua-rosen]

Did you tell them that there was a problem? Do they understand that not everybody is 6’4″? Like yourself I’m 5’7, I’m not concerned about headroom I’m concerned about sitting too low.

[Greek]

At 5’7” I couldn’t get past the tall guys to reflect my observation🙃.

I truly couldn’t give them any true judgement, I wasn’t allowed to move the seat forward which I know would have elevated me a bit. I might be fine though as I have shorter legs and arms but my torso is longer than my height would reflect.

[curtis-cibinel]

Simply raising the seat semi-permanently with some spacers and longer bolts should be fairly trivial. I’m 5’7 and feel will probably do this within the first week. The higher position should also give better visibility and provide under seat storage (first aid kit and emergency tools)

+1 on need for handles. Good for entry and when my wife is driving.

[993cc]

I have done this in the past, but only in vehicles that were so old that I didn’t worry much about changing their crash safety.

It would be good if Aptera could offer a crash tested accessory kit to achieve the same thing.

[UnidentifiedDrivingObject]

Agreed. I suggested grab handles yesterday in the Gamma “critique” thread.

Grab handles should be STANDARD on the Aptera (just like ANY other car with a roof, past or present).

[ROMAD]

My ’05 VW Jetta has grab handles that fold into the roof when not in use thus they are out of the way from the side impact airbag active zone. I’m sure they can do the same on the Aptera.

[Greek]

Dennis…I think rear seats also had them.

[993cc]

Weirdly, my 05/6 Jetta wagon has a glasses case where the driver’s assist handle would be.

[ROMAD]

Right, Bob, because on the driver’s side you can use the steering wheel. However, that is just a cover over the depression so if you want a grab handle, just go to your local pick-and-pull, find a MK IV Jetta (or maybe Golf) with the same roof interior color, and get the grab handle from the pax side. Then remove the cover and mount the handle.

[UnidentifiedDrivingObject]

Same on my past 2000 B5 Passat Wagon, the “soft” folding ones. Seems even Mazda copied these VW/Audi grab handles. Identical to my current ride, a 2014 GJ Mazda6 Touring 6sp manual. It folds the same gradual soft way as VWAG.

How I wish Aptera would have a grab handle option. I will inquire, when that eventual production order call comes in..

[kerbe2705]

@Joshua Rosen – If you can replace the door struts with higher-pressure units, it might be possible to have the door lift you out of the vehicle as it opens… 😀

[Greek]

I’m still laughing…CLEVER

[kerbe2705]

@John Voules John, I can easily picture you shouting, “WHEEE!” as the door flings you across the pavement… 🤣

[ROMAD]

And there he goes!

[Greek]

And now for the landing.