Overall Aptera CES Impressions: The Vehicle

So I started this video with the intent to cover everything about Aptera's booth at #CES2025. After barely getting through one section in 20 minutes, I decided to split this video into parts. This first part is the vehicles themselves including minor flaws I noticed with the fit and finish. Enjoy!

P.S. News video tomorrow :)

[ccibinel]

Great honest analysis. Fingers crossed they got the attention they needed and can get the $$$ for production.

[noelhwang]

That hose in the front suspension is the brake hose to the wheel.

[wineberryred]

The hose at 8:30 is the brake line. Really nice pictures of the Aptera, Thanks.

[craigmerrow]

I would have loved to poke around the Aptera, thanks for taking the time to do it for me!

[kevinjensen]

The overall impression at CES of the first two production intent validation vehicles is that they were very well put together. So much good design, fabrication and assembly was evident and very satisfying to see.

[SteveBueche]

The wheel pant bump is more likely required because that light has to be seen from the sides.

[DemaGeek]

Thanks for all the sharp still shots, Jeff!! By the way, the perforated section in the lower white area of the dash, at each end, is speaker grill.

[RichRodriguez]

Thanks for posting this, Jeff.

I came down with COVID after I came back from Las Vegas and someone behind schedule.

I was very impressed with the quality of the handling when I was given a test drive. The time in Italy has proven beneficial for tuning the suspension.

Charge on!

[DrTeeHenry]

Nice annotated visual "walkaround"!

I found the wrinkles (that you comment on near the end of the video) in the trunk liner (noticable in the bright sun) a little off-putting. I hope the production "mat" is flatter/thicker.

I talked to the engineer who designed the front headlight; he told me that the three LEDs are the high beam lights (the ones that are illuminated in your image) and that the other four are the low beam. I questioned him on that and he assured me that was the case (not the other way around). He also told me that it is currently designed to be either/or, not both (low beam - 4 LEDs; high beam - 3 LEDs). Right now all 7 on at once is not possible (due to thermal concerns that have not been tested).

I just noticed in your last image (where you commented on the ill-fitting orange release handle) the pattern of the floor mat. That was one of the tease photos in the lead-up to CES and nobody seemed to know what it was. Now we know!

[CalvinJordan-bc]

That fender light is for the law it has to be seen from the side and a specific size

[vorg_]

The CFC looks so good. Like a marble almost.

[russthompson]

All the exposed screws and bolts, says simple access and maintenance to me and all are hidden when doors and hatch are closed.

[RajGiandeep]

Great job on the photos. Nice to get clear close up shots like this. Nice to meet & chat with you at CES

[barnabasseadog]

The tab on the wheel pants are side reflectors, required by federal law.

[pfunk]

2:09 I'm not convinced this charge port has room for a CCS to NACS adapter. Hear anything about that?

[JohnPMiller]

I don't think the gaps, stitching and wrinkles are important at this point. When the factory is up and running, they'll get all that ironed out. I'm not an investor or potential customer, but I'd like to start seeing these on the road.

[larrye]

aptera should start a 2nd accelerator program, from the last spot taken from the last program up to 5000

[colbyhardison]

I found one problem with the release lever. Granted, I'm not a "petite" guy, but I hung my foot on the lever getting out of the car

[jasonhochstrasser]

I saw that the pieces on the corner tips of the rear hatch weren't put tigether tightly. It seemed like it would rattle when closed.

[richardryley]

The biggest question I have about Apollo is exactly what was not ready yet. It's clear the UI was not yet functional, but it could be rolled into place, so there were at least some systems installed.

The biggest hint is that the hood was never opened. This suggests the Vitesco motor was not present, although the axles were, and they were clearly connected to something. So I suspect the motor was in place, but not connected to anything. There might have been enough connected that they were able to inch it in place on its own power but I think that's unlikely.

The battery could have been in place, though, and the solar charging it. There's really no way to know. There was plenty of power for the lights and the electronics, even if the UI wasn't actually monitoring the inputs. There was very little drain on the battery if it wasn't driving around though.

I imagine all of that is moot by now. I suppose it's good Hermes got its moment in the spotlight before that job is turned over to Apollo.