Elio in the news

silverbear · Jun 22, 2014

http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/art-of-the-startup/three-wheeled-cars-headed-highway-near-you-n126801

It was nice to see a story on the three wheeled Elio on NBC. I've been interested in this vehicle since first reading about it some time back. Supposedly it will go into production in September of 2015. Those of us interested in velocars and cyclecars as alternative transportation can take heart when we see serious attention given by big boy media coverage. We need such alternatives, in my opinion.

This one rings some bells for me. I can see myself driving and owning one. A projected 84mpg, top speed of over 100mph and a price tag of $6,800.00 are considerations. I'd love to build a three wheeled cyclecar and have done some planning, gathering of parts with dreams of something Morgan inspired, but then I get to thinking about it in more realistic terms and admit that it isn't gonna happen. I don't even have a garage to work in. My tri-car has been in build process for several years now, so how long would it take to build a cyclecar which could be licensed to drive on the highway? Longer than I will probably live. And if I did manage it and it was approved, at what cost? Less than $6800.00?

I have high hopes this Elio will make it into production. It would be a lot of fun to drive and just right for an old guy and his dog. If I did have one I'd keep my old pickup truck and switch insurance from one to the other depending on what I needed at the time. I've done that before when I had a little Suzuki Samurai which is what I drove most of the time. Just call up my local insurance agent and tell them I'm using the pickup today. They've always been good about that.

Gas prices are already killing me and I don't see the prices ever coming down appreciably and may very well go up a good bit. For some of us commuting to work or for trips to town when you live out in the country, something like this Elio would be just the thing. Here's another link...
http://hello.eliomotors.com/?gclid=CMu2tayRjb8CFVE1aQodXxAAUg

It isn't for everybody, I'm sure, but I want one! Make mine silver, please.
SB

wheelbender6 · Jun 22, 2014

The Elio is one of the few new vehicles that excites me lately, SB. I think they will do well if they can sell it at the target price. I like to compare the Elio to currently available microcars like the Smart4two.
-The Smart4two and other microcars will provide better crash protection than the Elio.
-The longer wheelbase of the Elio should provide a smoother ride than a microcar.
-The microcar takes up a bit less parking space than the Elio.
-The entire drive train of the Elio is in front of the occupants, reducing the complexity of wiring and control mechanisms.
-The tandem seating (vice side by side) of the Elio gives it a bit of an aviation feel.
-The Elio reminds me of those cool Messerschmitt microcars.

Mike B · Jun 22, 2014

I'm on the list, T-shirt on the way.

That thing is cool. Just perfect for having fun when it rains. And when it's hot too, has air conditioning -

Less bucks than my Bonneville, gotta love it!

2door · Jun 22, 2014

Does anyone have a link to specs?

What engine? What are the body panels made of? What does the chassis look like without the body? What's the wheel base? How does the engine power the machine? What wheels, tires, suspension does it have? Yeah, looks good in the photos and videos but they aren't very generous with the tech stuff.

I have yet to find anything but sales hype. No mechanical information at all.
I'd be willing to plunk down a 'C' note to 'reserve' a place in line but I want to know what I'm buying. Not just a cool looking 3 wheeler, but some specifics would, might, convince me. Everything I can find gives little to no technical info on this machine. Help me out here.

Tom

Mike B · Jun 22, 2014

Specs;

http://www.eliomotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Elio_3399_One_Page_Sell_Sheet_HR_v5_NOCROP.pdf

2door · Jun 22, 2014

Mike B said:
Specs;

http://www.eliomotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Elio_3399_One_Page_Sell_Sheet_HR_v5_NOCROP.pdf

Thanks, Mike. That answers some questions, not all, but it's looking better than a new Triumph Bonny. At least it would free up some garage space.

I still would like to know some specifics on that engine and the drive trane. Gears, drive shaft or chain? Body. Plastic or fiberglass? Carbon fiber or cardboard? Where can I go to actually see one and sit in it, hear it run, drive it?

They say Pepboys is the service folks. That scares me. The people I've delt with there don't have enough automotive experience to know what an oilite bushing is, let alone repair a high tech machine like this is supposed to be.

There's just something here that sounds too good. I'm being cautious. I can afford a hundred dollars but I'd want more for my money than a bumper sticker and a 'T' shirt.

Tom

Mike B · Jun 22, 2014

There is a forum too. Typical stuff. You should see all the rags about the 55 HP. People want a Porsche for 7 grand.

Hey, it's "future stuff" -

Looks like fun on a rainy day. And AC will make for a cool summer drive too. Almost said ride. This will be a motorcycle in most states.

Maybe I just flushed a grand. But if not, then I made a 50% return on investment -

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

silverbear · Jun 22, 2014

Tom, to some degree I guess this is a leap of faith that with support from the little guys this thing can become something real. I don't have much money to throw around, but coughed up the hundred bucks to get in line. If it turns out to be money lost then so be it. At least I will have "voted" and voiced my desire to have an affordable cyclecar as an alternative to everything else out there. I have a feeling this thing is going to take off and I want one, knowing that it will be bare bones. I've had some cool and also some just plain strange vehicles in the past. Had the very first Subaru which was a mini van with a motorcycle engine... death on wheels. Had a retired ambulance to tow my old Airstream, lots of vintage pickup trucks from the 30's and 40's. This looks like fun and I could actually afford a road trip of some distance. Looks like an adventure to me. And I like a manual transmission. It might feel a little like my old MGTD's and Austin Healey 3000 roadster... close to the ground with a brutal ride. Uncomfortable and had side curtains instead of roll up windows... hot feet in the summer and cold body in the winter, but I loved those cars. I guess that's part of the urge behind wanting one of these Elios.
Like I said before, I'm sure this isn't for everybody. It isn't a Morgan, but I think I could drive it and pretend it was. Woohoo!
SB

wheelbender6 · Jun 22, 2014

2door - The drive train is basically a clone of the Suzuki Swift car of the 1990s. Three cylinder, water cooled engine in front with a 4 speed auto tranny. Proven technology.
I am less knowledgeable about the Elio structure and body panels. The Smart4two has the edge in that department, at a higher price.

Mike B · Jun 22, 2014

Good on you Silver, I like people that vote with money!

I'll take the manual tranny (standard) no need to add expense and inefficiency.

And I like that off white "marshmallow" color -

wheelbender6 · Jun 22, 2014

You're tougher than me, Mike B. I still drive my truck when the weather is bad.

2door · Jun 22, 2014

Okay guys, let me explain my skeptism. Back in the 70s I plunked down a fistful of cash to get in line for a homebuilt airplane kit. I never saw the kit, or my $1500.00 again. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bede_BD-5

The concept was very much like this little machine. It looked like something I'd love to own. However, the promoter was overwhelmed with orders and was incapable of filling them and went belly up. There were a few built, some from plans, some from copys but the promised production never happened.

One site said there are 21,000 people ahead of me, waiting. Nowhere does it say what the production schedule is, how many a month or year will be built. Heck, I might be too old to drive before my machine is out of the factory.
Like they say, "fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

I'd like to be optimistic and get in line. But once burned.....you know the rest.

Tom

Mike B · Jun 22, 2014

I've never owned a truck and I never will.

Cars are plenty big enough for me.

I went to Detroit in January once, Pops was sick and I needed to go. When I was in Chicago, the TV was sayin' the weather in Detroit sucks, stay off the road unless you are an emergency vehicle. Great. Rented a Chevy Cobalt. The snow was coming down so hard I had to pull off the freeway 'cause the wipers couldn't keep up. Windshield freezing up. Pulled off and got out and de-iced the wipers with my hand. Car warmed up too and I went to the hospital no problem. Cars and trucks all over the road in the ditches.

Went out and had supper. Was fun doing "instant turns", apply brakes, car slides, crank wheel hard over, release brakes, car makes instant right turn.

Just plowed right on thru all that crap. Parked car in driveway and had fun watching neighbors needing 4 people to push pickup truck into driveway.

Small light weight front wheel drive car beats crap out of 3/4 ton truck.

xseler · Jun 22, 2014

I'm kinda like Tom, on the fence. I've been watching the progress for the last year or so and am comtemplating putting down a deposit. A hometown friend is on the list at around #4000 ---- may wait to see his car.

I'll bet one of the reasons for the low price is that the company is selling EPA credits to the big boys. Tesla has made a fortune doing the same thing. There was the plan to finance these through a credit card. The way it worked, you'd buy gas with the card and they'd actually charge your card 3 times the amount of the gas. The extra money went as 'payment' for the car. At 84mpg, you wouldn't use as much gas, but your total outlay wouldn't be any more than you paid for fuel for a 25mpg vehicle.

Mike B · Jun 22, 2014

I don't like to sit on fence. On one side of fence good. On other side of fence good.

Sit on fence, get splinters in butt -

2door · Jun 25, 2014

I'm still reading but have yet to find any anticipated production schedule. My wife wants one, even two, but when I told her what facts I could find she said the same thing I did. "I might be too old to enjoy it before I got one.

How many a year will be built? If I'm on the list at number 21,000 plus, when could I expect to see delivery? No one seems to know. At my age, that's scary.

Tom

Mike B · Jun 25, 2014

That's cool, you need to do what's right for you. For me it was right.

This thing rang my bell. I even thought about building one. A big go cart around a half liter motorcycle engine.

If you want efficiency, you need light weight, aerodynamics and a small motor. Something teardrop shaped, one or 2 seats with a motorcycle style engine. There it is. You really need the aerodynamics to make MPG. Both of my "medium" bikes, Bonny and Burgie get around 50. The Tdub will get 80, but it's a 200cc and don't go faster than 60. Motorcycles suck aerodynamics wise.

We shall see. Supposedly he has more than 50 million in private funding and 22,000 preorders. It should be easier to build than a motorcycle, more room, not so tight. When I look at my bikes I often wonder "how they stuffed all that in there"

2door · Jun 26, 2014

If I was going to build one I'd start with one of those 3 wheel Can Am Spiders. Stretch the frame, lower the seating, keep the basic drive system and build a fiberglass or carbon fiber body around it. At least the mechanics would already be worked out. You'd just need to modify it some.

Tom

xseler · Jun 26, 2014

I think that the Spyder was Can Am's way to sell snowmobiles in the summer......it's basically a snowmobile with wheels.

silverbear · Jun 26, 2014

I think it is encouraging to see that something as different as the Elio is getting serious attention from people who are willing to take a gamble that it will be successful. I'm aware that it may never make it into production. Clearly there are a lot of us consumers out there who want to see it or something similar available as an option to much more expensive, more technically complicated transportation. And no doubt there are those who do not want to see a low end, fuel conservative newcomer become a force in the marketplace.

While a hundred bucks is peanuts to most people, it isn't to someone like me whose sole income is from social security. Yet I have invested a lot more than that on motored bicycle dreams and a good bit of that was ill advised spending which has come to nothing more than an exercise of an old man's boyish dreams. Maybe my Elio deposit is foolish, but to me it is less foolish than a trip to the local Indian casino or purchasing state sponsored games of chance with minuscule chances of winning the lottery. I'd rather gamble on something more than greed... the chance of winning big bucks I have not earned and really have no use for or need of. As Mike suggested, my deposit is a kind of vote saying that I want this "candidate" Elio to win. And if nothing else the big boys out there who are deciding our transportation options must take note when so many people are "voting" in the same way, saying we want something like this to drive... bigger is not better, faster does not matter, greener is good and trying to impress with a status symbol is of no interest. Give us something we can afford to purchase, can afford to drive and that looks like a whole lot of fun.
SB

Elio in the news

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