About the validation vehicles...

[Kerbe]

In this interview Aptera co-CEO Steve Fambro shares some interesting tidbits: Steve explains that the first set of ten validation vehicles are for testing "suspension geometry, handling, braking..." and suggests that the next set of validation vehicles (no specific number given) will be used to test such things as durability and crash safety (1:10 through 2:05). Later (at 3:30) there's a description of how and why the vehicle will be crash tested.

 

[brianc35]

I'm certainly interested in the crash testing of these. There's not much too it and i want to see how it takes a hit.
That said, the Smart 4/2 takes a hit better than most other vehicles of its day so size isn't everything!

 

[Kerbe]

I'm certainly interested in the crash testing of these. There's not much too it and i want to see how it takes a hit.
That said, the Smart 4/2 takes a hit better than most other vehicles of its day so size isn't everything!

Aptera posted their crash test simulation information a while back - the veracity of such simulations is mentioned in this interview. Very few vehicles are actually physically tested these days - most companies now rely on simulation data. Aptera's structural engineering design is based on such simulations: It's designed from the get-go to be crashworthy - not made crashworthy after it was designed.