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Posted by george-hughes on August 26, 2021 at 10:13 am on Aptera's inhouse forum.
The top speed for the Aptera is electronically limited to 110 mph. Given the rapid acceleration, Rousch suspension and exceptional, industry leading aerodynamics, it seems the 110 mph, while certainly adequate for road use, is probably quite a bit limited from its true potential.

It may be so far below its potential top speed as to challenge folks to defeat the limiting.

I think that 125 mph top speed would be just high enough to blunt the incentive to boost that ‘setting’ …. unless there are other reasons.

For instance, the first ‘aerodynamic’ NASCAR stock car was the ’60-70 Dodge Charger needed that big ‘wing’ airfoil on the back of the racer to keep it on the track.

Nathan Armstrong said that the Aptera became ‘more efficient’ the faster it runs, suggesting that the it may take fewer KW/mile to run 125 miles in an hour than 110 miles in an hour. That would suggest the higher top speed would benefit efficiency.

Now we all know that speed is usually a big negative in regard efficiency but still performance is a key part of the value proposition.

I’m just curious why the 110 mph figure was chosen. I mean my Spark EV is governed to a maximum of 90 mph. For many reasons I think the Aptera will be more capable at that and higher speeds but the top speed capability seems so arbitrary.

The point being, if the choice is arbitrary, I would prefer the 125 mph (or 124) over the 110 unless, of course, there is some reason like the Aptera becomes ‘too light’ to stay on the road over 110 … or you want to put 112 mph rated tires on the car because higher top-speed rating will cost more.

Following is a summary of the balance of this topic:

In the Aptera community forum, a discussion titled "Top speed set at 110 mph; why not 125?" delved into the rationale behind Aptera's decision to electronically limit their vehicle's top speed to 110 mph, with participants exploring various technical and safety considerations.

Original Post:

The discussion was initiated by a member who questioned the 110 mph speed limit, suggesting that a higher limit, such as 125 mph, might better reflect the vehicle's capabilities. They referenced historical examples, like the aerodynamic design of the Dodge Charger in NASCAR, and noted statements from Aptera's Nathan Armstrong indicating that the vehicle becomes more efficient at higher speeds. The poster expressed curiosity about the factors influencing this speed limitation, including potential concerns about vehicle stability or cost implications related to higher speed-rated tires.
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Summary of Discussion:

Motor and Cooling Limitations: Some participants speculated that the speed cap might be due to limitations in the motors' RPM or the vehicle's cooling system. One member noted that Aptera's use of skin cooling, which reduces drag, might trade off cooling efficiency at higher speeds. They suggested that enhancing the cooling system and modifying software could potentially allow for higher speeds.

Safety and Stability Concerns: Others raised concerns about vehicle stability at higher speeds, especially given Aptera's lightweight design. The discussion included references to the vehicle's aerodynamics and how increased speeds might impact its ability to stay grounded, drawing parallels to historical vehicles that required additional features, like large rear wings, to maintain stability at high velocities.

Tire Specifications and Cost: The cost and specifications of tires rated for higher speeds were also discussed. Higher speed-rated tires can be more expensive, and selecting tires rated for speeds above 110 mph could increase overall vehicle costs. This consideration might have influenced Aptera's decision to limit the top speed to balance performance with affordability.

User Preferences: Some community members expressed contentment with the lower limit, noting that it exceeds legal speed limits in most areas and aligns with their personal driving habits. There were also suggestions for implementing user-selectable speed limits for different drivers, such as lower limits for less experienced drivers.

Overall, the discussion highlighted a range of factors—including technical limitations, safety considerations, cost implications, and user preferences—that likely contributed to Aptera's decision to set the vehicle's top speed at 101 mph.

This is one example of how content can be legally imported. There may be better ways but as the original topic starter. I have the right to my content and the right to observe and report on the contribution others made although I cannot directly, without permission, just copy their thoughts.

Whether this is an adequate way to deal with populating topics of interest, ... we'll find out