What Options Would You Want? (2)

[luis-rosello]

I would like to forego the center control touchscreen for actual analog controls. I don’t see a fragile touchscreen on a moving vehicle as an “advancement” from the controls we’ve had in vehicles for decades. If anything, it’s a liability for losing all controls of the vehicle by the failure of one component, and second, it forces the driver to take his eyes off the road to operate. Analog controls can be actuated by simple tactile feedback, which is not broken or obsolete by any means. If anything, maybe enabling voice control is a much better option for a vehicle, but as it’s already been documented on Teslas, loosing the center touchscreen equates to a disabled vehicle.

[lance-doyle]

I have been through the full list and there are some good ideas and some not practical ones. I have been through many product developments and what I have seen in the videos is very encouraging, especially the production process. That said, there are some features are a must. Some sort of spare tire, I have only had one flat in the last 35 years – no cell coverage for miles so AAA was not an option. AC and heater if only in the seats. Eastern WA gets down to 0 and up to 110+ so both are needed. Anti-glare screen on the monitor(s); the one in my Outback is unusable in many lighting situations. A nice touch would be a camera in the front wheel skirt(s) for parallel parking. Wireless charging isn’t hard to do or expensive (at least on spot).

[GNiessen]

It would be nice if we had DC fast charging and a Heat Pump as options for the order form. Then we could get updated as to when we might expect those and know when to expect delivery. I was looking at the Aptera to be a great vehicle for road trips, but I can’t see stopping for 6 hours once or twice to make what should be a one day journey be a multiple day effort. At highway speeds you will take less than 6 hours to go 400 miles, but over 6 hours to recharge.

[james-freedle]

Apple CarPlay is something that I want when I get my car. I do not have Android (I am in Cybersecurity) so that is not something that I would be interested in looking in a car.

[wayne.forkum]

Heated seats and a heated yoke/wheel.

• This reply was modified 1 month, 2 weeks ago by  Wayne Forkum.

[Greek]

Heated seats are in the works, may or may not be in the initial LE program.

Heated yoke at the moment is a no go.

[BigSky]

One pedal driving

[duane-lewis]

A standard circular steering wheel. I use a steering knob that appears to be a possible issue because the optimal placement is at the 10 o’clock position.

[Riley]

it should be possible to drill holes into the bunk and add a metal bracket that can extend out to the rear to add a hitch.

I made a dedicated thread (got deleted) describing adding a super aerodynamic trailer custom made for aptera containing a 220v generator and after calculating in the worst case scenario it would still increase range from 400 miles to 600 miles range.

It doesn’t make sense now that the launch addition will have fast charging but dammit I want a boost-caboose for my aptera.

[JRWiley]

Okay Riley, it’s time to attempt to bring back that custom super aerodynamic trailer thread. I’m super interested in this. One of my use cases is traveling to DC from SC to visit family (528 miles one way). If I can extend my range from about 350 mi. with the LE to about 550 mi., when (if) I have to stop and charge I could greatly reduce the charging time needed to get me there. If I now have the ability to attach your boost-caboose, I now have the ability to attach a different (if needed) utility trailer for moving stuff around that won’t fit in the back section of the vehicle. Please consider bringing this back for discussion, with specifics, if possible.

[robin-grnberg]

I’m about to invest to join the accelerate Aptera program. But the heated seats is a dealbreaker if it’s not included in the LE. What if I invest and heated seats aren’t included? Will I have to wait 1-2 years for my Aptera?

[Biker]

Unless and until Aptera confirms availability of the configuration you want, there’s no incentive to join the Accelerator program – unless you simply want to invest in the company.

[Greek]

@robin-grnberg. It is not confirmed yet, but still a possibility that the LE versions may have heated seats. Pretty sure we will have at least 2+ months left before this latest fundraising comes to a conclusion. So there is a possibility that APTERA may announce that it will be included. We do know that the company would like to have it included as it will help with range in the colder climates. So maybe hold off until we may hear something…good luck!

[john-malcom]

As of now, no heated seats. Whether available on the LE will depend on whether Aptera has sourced the components for the seats (To include the modified seats themselves), already completed the engineering for heated seats, adapted production processes to include installation of the heated seats, and adjusted target pricing up for the additional cost of including heated seats. I think the heated seats are mostly a draw for the northern climes cold weather. I would suspect because of the additional cost in money and time, and appeal to a subset of the potential market, that LEs will come without heated seats as Aptera has currently claimed. If there are extra funds and time heated seats would have to compete with other more generally appealing features.

• This reply was modified 20 hours, 17 minutes ago by  John Malcom. Reason: correct spelling

[curtis-cibinel]

The difference with heated seats is it is a feature that was included in the original planned specs. The fact that the wiring is not included in the diagrams they have recently shown will complicate retrofit and seems to indicate it will not be readded soon. Heated seat covers is a possibility given we at least have confirmation of the 12v plug but it is an inelegant solution. Heated seats will definitely improve efficiency of the climate control since the cabin can be at a lower temperature. Cooled or ventilated seats are obviously nice to have but are far more rare due to the costs.

[JRWiley]

Regarding “confirmation” of the 12v outlet, this response came from Aptera after I asked them about it just a few days ago:

“We apologize for the confusion! We contacted our Engineering team for final clarity —

At this time, the Launch Edition vehicles will only include USB-C outlets to power accessories, but we would like to have the capability to power appliances later on. So, you will not be able to power a refrigerator with the Aptera LE.”

Regarding the 12v lighter receptacle:

“We are not planning to include a cigarette lighter port, but it’s something that we have considered and have the ability to do. We would need to test.”

This was very disappointing information to me. I was pretty sure I had heard Jason Hill confirm the 12v lighter receptacle at the very least. I don’t care about a lighter port. I do care about a 12v outlet to plug in a refrigerator, etc., during a power outage.

[ROMAD]

Looks like I’ll need to get a two to four port unit at a local auto supply store and wire it to the 12v battery in Aptera’s parking lot. The shortsightedness of Aptera continues to astonish me. I’ll have at LEAST two devices that require 12vdc power that are daily required usage in my vehicles.

As for the USB-C port, it will be required to power my iPhone and charge my iPad at the same time while traveling. If it can’t then I’ll need to use another 12vdc port for an USB charger.

[tom-friend]

Auto-Android is essential for me. I need music & nav in my cars, this is the best way to do it.

[john-young]

Heated seats by far. This should be standard in every EV now. Fantasy pick is ability to hook up external solar panels.

[curtis-cibinel]

+1