Elio Motors

[NEexpat]

HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ge1ZGi1bTQ)

This interests me. 84mpg.

If they can keep it to $6'800 I think they will sell lots.

I still wonder how it would be classified, 3 wheels..........motorcycle or not?

I'd consider buying one. All weather/3 season commuter................................ummmm thing.


Edit- looking around some more found this HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OPELEY0T6c) that answers some questions.

[shinlee]

pretty neat!

[tk-421]

I like it! Bummer they don't plan to sell it outside the US, though...

[BEEF]

The great advantage of the 3 wheel vehicles is that it isn't classified like a regular car so they can get away with less safety equipment.

I have been watching them for a while. If the price point stays at the $6800 touted and there aren't massive issues when they first come out, I may have to pick one up as well.

The tandem seating idea is nice and I like the fact that it has a real engine and not the electric or hybrid thing. I also like the fact that it actually has a descent amount of power (given the weight of the vehicle). It reminds me a lot of the Myers motors NMG without the electric motor or the heavy price tag.

[Bluevitz-rs]

cool

[cali yaris]

There is a lot of discussion about the policy/strategy of taking deposits before producing the vehicle. I understand this provides the needed capital, but they have a ways to go to get these things on the road. Then there's the problem of service, spare parts and such.

I am excited about the idea, and I follow them on Facebook, but I can't bring myself to write them a check quite yet. :smile:

This is encouraging:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1668532
"Elio Motors Set to Begin Operations of Former GM Plant in Caddo Parish"

[fnkngrv]

hhhmmm.....wonder if there is room inside the chassis to install a solid rollcage

[NEexpat]

The second link speaks to the parts issues, evidently a lot are off the shelf and readily available.

Agreed, would not be stroking a check for the Beta ver. perhaps the 2.0

[IllusionX]

interesting.. speaking of 84mpg..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vATQaJmUdh8

haha

[Thirty-Nine]

I was part of a focus group about four years ago for a three-wheeled vehicle that sounds exactly like this. I wonder if this is the car?

I'd love to drive one to see what it's like.

[Bluevitz-rs]

There has been quite a few three wheeled vehicles, mostly motorcycles, but all are rearwheel drive. This is the first front-wheel-drive three wheeled vehicle that I have seen.

[nookandcrannycar]

3 wheels..........motorcycle or not?

Differs by state. IIRC, the answer is yes in Texas, but no in California. I've never heard one way or the other for any other state. For California, I believe I found the answer on the DMV website, but it Texas it was on some other (?) state government website.

[BEEF]

The Peel P-50 (I think) is front wheel drive.

I wouldn't drive it but it is fun to watch..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfSS0ZXYdo

[IllusionX]

The Peel P-50 (I think) is front wheel drive.

I wouldn't drive it but it is fun to watch..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfSS0ZXYdo


it's RWD

[BEEF]

I stand corrected, I assumed since the motor was at his leg, it was front but a google image showing the under side showed it was RWD.

[NEexpat]

Just some news on these guys.

HERE (https://autos.yahoo.com/news/fuel-efficient-elio-three-wheel-car-hits-15-143957549.html;_ylt=A0LEV0mDcm9T.i0AOiNXNyoA;_ylu= X3oDMTEzYWdjMnQ2BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dG lkA1ZJUDMzNV8x)

Now 15'000 deposits (105 million potential per-orders) does not always translate to sales, and is probably a drop in the bucket when getting into this type of manufacturing, but it is the kind of thing you can go to investment banks, etc. for 2nd, 3rd, 4th round capital and sell as a gauge of interest. If I had to guess though I think these guys are pretty well capitalized. I'll bet they they go public after they start making deliveries.

They claim to be on track to start deliveries next year, also they just announced an agreement with Pep Boys to be their service partner.

Then there is this, I found a brief video on YouTube of this thing tooling around in the snow. HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQRktJtrgHs)


This thing may actually happen.

[trunkout]

I'll take one! reminds me of my Insight (with the rear wheel covers).... LOVED that car!

[nookandcrannycar]

my Insight (with the rear wheel covers).... LOVED that car!

:thumbsup: Those things really rocked when it came to fuel economy!

[why?]

:thumbsup: Those things really rocked when it came to fuel economy!

but they were ugly as hell and an 800 lb weight limit is absurd.

[Bluevitz-rs]

but they were ugly as hell and an 800 lb weight limit is absurd.

? How so?