The Horn

[Peter Dezendorf]

One thing I want in an Aptera is a LOUD horn.

Please, design team, don’t leave this to a last minute, barely-hear-it, grab-what-is-on-the-shelf decision.

For 20 years I rode motorcycles; sold my last one in 2019 (a BMW S1000R, what a great bike). On almost every motorcycle I had to change out the horn since the stock one produced a small, tiny, “beep.” The replacement horns were like truck horns with a massive “boom.” It’s a safety thing.

[Bob Kirchner]

I have idly wondered how the horn will work on the Aptera. For aerodynamic reasons they won’t want to have the usual grille or perforations that would allow sound to freely pass to the outside.

Maybe some sort of vibration producing device that would cause the entire nose cone to vibrate? That could be hugely loud, though it might not sound like a horn, which is probably also a safety thing.

What we know is that they won’t sacrifice efficiency.

[seth feldman]

who doesn’t put an after market truck horn meant for an 18 wheeler on everyone of their vehicles?

[Philip Raymond]

About 3 months ago, Aptera was featured on Jay Leno’s Garage and during the drive with Chris Anthony, Jay says “no horn?” Chris answers “no horn, you won’t need one in the future”. Granted, Chris may have been joking with it being an Alpha vehicle they were riding in, but he may have been serious too, no way to know for sure.So an after market horn might well be the only solution, should the Aptera actually be hornless. Here’s link to the video, the comment happens at 15:58 into the show…..https://youtu.be/TsYyJJFYRvc

[Llewellyn Evans]

It will be required to have a horn for registration almost everywhere in the world.

I think he was joking.

Here one for you. “A pig a cow and a chicken walk into a restaurant.”

• This reply was modified 4 months, 3 weeks ago by  Llewellyn Evans.

[Curtis Cibinel]

Ya from context it is obviously a joke. Pretty sure we will have a horn.

That said how loud it is is an entirely different issue. I could definitely see it being underpowered.

[Guy SKEER]

I am a Lover of a Painfully Loud Horn Myself. On all My Vehicles, I Tempt the Constabulary to Cite Me for Being “Too Aggressive”, as I Cross-Link the High Beams, The Low Beams, and The Air Horns I Always install, Such that If I am threatened, Vexed, or Need attention, I can Hit the Horns and Everything Comes on! Of Late I rig the systems such that they emit a Friendly Flash and Tootle if I just tap the Button, But BLARE at Full Voice If I Stay on it.

Looks to me like there are ample Opportunities for Secreting such in Forward or Rear Space(s) in any of the Wheel Fairings with just a bit of Partitioning from Snow/Mud/Water intrusion.

Have been investigating a Horn Loaded Loudspeaker (Think of all the Possibilities!) instead of the Bog Standard Air Horn Array, Relay board, Compressor, Air Tube(s) and Wiring. Could be LOUDER, and More Useful, but More Importantly, LIGHTER! If Weight and Mounting sturdiness looks to be a problem, could maybe utilize Flat Panel Speakers, at some penalty to Loudness.

My Poor APTERA Will have Enough Work Moving My Not-Inconsiderable Avoirdupois…Need to keep all add-ons at Minimum Weight.

[Philip Raymond]

They should be able to place one somewhere in the frunk, but it would need to be loud enough to not need an acoustic opening, thereby not effecting aerodynamics.

[Oz (It’s Oz, just Oz)]

Philip, Loud enough in the frunk to not need an acoustic opening? I fear it would be loud enough in that case to eject us through the half windows.😁

[Llewellyn Evans]

There are openings for steering and suspension or even in the wheel pants. There are probably other openings as well.

[Philip Raymond]

Great, I wasn’t sure if there were other forward facing openings, as long as it’s noticeable to any ears near it.

[David Marlow]

There is also the issue of the audible sound to alert people it is coming. I like the Jetsons vehicle sound for that and the road runner beep for the horn.

[Gordon Niessen]

It would be great if it was a speaker where you can pick the WAV file that is played. I would love the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang horn. But only sometimes.

[Joshua Rosen]

The NHTSA has just s**t all over Tesla’s boombox feature, they are making them disable it. It looks like custom sounds are no longer legal.

[Paul Evans]

There are Federal requirements for BEV vehicles that set multi-band frequencies and minimum decibel levels for specific speed bands to alert seeing-impaired individuals of an approaching vehicle. I don’t know if there are any noise prohibitions above those speed bands set in the regulations.

[Curtis Cibinel]

Any idea if this actually applies to autocycles/motorcycles (which Aptera technically is)? I haven’t seen any e-motorcycles in my area so have no idea if the rules regarding pedestrian noise apply.

PS: NHTSA killing Tesla boombox is bull$%$@. It it still quitter than ICE vehicles. Their argument against it is a joke.

[Kayleigh Venne]

Aptera will have a horn! We look forward to sharing more details with you in the coming months.

• This reply was modified 4 months, 2 weeks ago by  Kayleigh Venne.

[Elzo Stubbe]

Do not know if I saw someone post a YT link about a happy horn here? But the psychological effect on people is wonderful and more effective, just like the replacement soft bell on my bike. So I will add a happy horn definitely, yes haha..

[Eric Williams]

I saw the link. I have long thought that all motor vehicles should have two or three level horns. Light push for Roadrunner Meep-meep reminder, medium for notification, and very loud to yell/warn. I used to have an air horn in my miata. A quiet mode would have been useful sometimes.

[Elzo Stubbe]

Just me….The effect of the R2D2 bleep is great on people and it really gets their attention in just the right way..

[Francis Giroux]

I think they could fit an acceptable horn down by the windshield wipers and not mess up the aerodynamics.