The only thing that really looks "impractical" might be the door. I'd be afraid I wouldn't be able to open it in a tight space; something more conventional might be a better bet.
don't, compare it to everything else if you haven't driven it: about safety, intimidation, practicality, i bet you would do the same if the motorcycle was just invented. i would definitely buy this... for the right price considering that this was one of the few vehicles you could expect to see on the streets, unlike the streamlined rocket-ships(although they were still cool).
@motters2001 Anything that is different get this type of criticism. Consider that many people ride bicycle, scooters, and motorcycles to work. Are these all ridiculous modes of transportation, too expensive, too impractical? The X-tracer is an attempt to make an enormous leap in fuel efficiency and frankly looks like a lot of fun. I suspect you know, this is the "alternative class", there is a "main stream" class to xprize.
@JohnCBriggs Personally I would buy and drive something like this, but I suspect that many people wouldn't because "it's not a car" or "I don't have a motorbike license" or "it's difficult to get into" or even "it's too small". Think of the reasons why the Sinclair C5 failed commercially, and also the bubble cars of the 1960s.
@motters2001 I really cannot disagree with you about people's perceptions of such things. However, I think more needs to be done to change these perceptions. Somehow people managed to be sold on large SUV that are "difficult to get into" and "too big" to park easily. Maybe if we can get people to consider the chance that the X-Tracer would actually work for them, then they will buy smaller SUVs. Oh, and we need to save the planet, reduce pollution, stop sending money to.... you know
@JohnCBriggs One of the issues with a very small vehicle is a combination of the intimidation factor when driving in other larger traffic, and also that visibility of the road ahead becomes a bigger issue if you're close to the ground. Perceptions are important, and things like celebrity endorsement (John Lennon in a Mini) certainly help.
@motters2001 That is some good input. I think the Mini Cooper has done a lot to change perceptions of small cars. Because it is a "cool" car, people are buying and getting fuel efficiency as a nice additional benefit. Perhaps things like the Aptera might have a similar impact. It can be seen as a very cool car. Something different, something no one else has.
The main issues with this vehicle are firstly stability on two wheels - how stable is it in rain and snow, on gravel driveways and speed bumps? - and also whether it would be classified as a motorbike. If it's classified as a motorbike then that means that the driver needs to take a whole new driving test, which is expensive and time consuming and greatly reduces the practicality.
@DoNotuseEbid I thought that the whole point of the automotive X-prize was to produce vehicles which were not "concept cars", which could be manufactured economically, capable of at least 100mpg (or the energy equivalent) and which the average person might want to buy.
The only thing that really looks "impractical" might be the door. I'd be afraid I wouldn't be able to open it in a tight space; something more conventional might be a better bet.
ymirfrostgiant 1 week ago
don't, compare it to everything else if you haven't driven it: about safety, intimidation, practicality, i bet you would do the same if the motorcycle was just invented. i would definitely buy this... for the right price considering that this was one of the few vehicles you could expect to see on the streets, unlike the streamlined rocket-ships(although they were still cool).
Arvak777 1 year ago
its a motorcycle with training wheels.
llx2o1 1 year ago
Comment removed
russtbinder 1 year ago
Comment removed
russtbinder 1 year ago
@llx2o1
Not so. Check out one for real and you'll be convinced otherwise, guaranteed.
russtbinder 1 year ago
this is straight up bad ass... i bet its expensive ..
GOBbluthagain 1 year ago
For the aims of the automotive x-prize see the video qCeQPykPaLU
motters2001 1 year ago
@motters2001 Anything that is different get this type of criticism. Consider that many people ride bicycle, scooters, and motorcycles to work. Are these all ridiculous modes of transportation, too expensive, too impractical? The X-tracer is an attempt to make an enormous leap in fuel efficiency and frankly looks like a lot of fun. I suspect you know, this is the "alternative class", there is a "main stream" class to xprize.
JohnCBriggs 1 year ago
@JohnCBriggs Personally I would buy and drive something like this, but I suspect that many people wouldn't because "it's not a car" or "I don't have a motorbike license" or "it's difficult to get into" or even "it's too small". Think of the reasons why the Sinclair C5 failed commercially, and also the bubble cars of the 1960s.
motters2001 1 year ago
@motters2001 I really cannot disagree with you about people's perceptions of such things. However, I think more needs to be done to change these perceptions. Somehow people managed to be sold on large SUV that are "difficult to get into" and "too big" to park easily. Maybe if we can get people to consider the chance that the X-Tracer would actually work for them, then they will buy smaller SUVs. Oh, and we need to save the planet, reduce pollution, stop sending money to.... you know
JohnCBriggs 1 year ago
@JohnCBriggs One of the issues with a very small vehicle is a combination of the intimidation factor when driving in other larger traffic, and also that visibility of the road ahead becomes a bigger issue if you're close to the ground. Perceptions are important, and things like celebrity endorsement (John Lennon in a Mini) certainly help.
motters2001 1 year ago
@motters2001 That is some good input. I think the Mini Cooper has done a lot to change perceptions of small cars. Because it is a "cool" car, people are buying and getting fuel efficiency as a nice additional benefit. Perhaps things like the Aptera might have a similar impact. It can be seen as a very cool car. Something different, something no one else has.
JohnCBriggs 1 year ago
The main issues with this vehicle are firstly stability on two wheels - how stable is it in rain and snow, on gravel driveways and speed bumps? - and also whether it would be classified as a motorbike. If it's classified as a motorbike then that means that the driver needs to take a whole new driving test, which is expensive and time consuming and greatly reduces the practicality.
motters2001 1 year ago
@motters2001 just another rich mans toy , nothing practical about these.
DoNotuseEbid 1 year ago
@DoNotuseEbid I thought that the whole point of the automotive X-prize was to produce vehicles which were not "concept cars", which could be manufactured economically, capable of at least 100mpg (or the energy equivalent) and which the average person might want to buy.
motters2001 1 year ago