Elio Motors, The Next Big Thing?!!...

[Xist]

The second and third links from the most recent Elio Owner[']s Newsletter:

Elio Motors Announces Another Production Start Delay | Elio Owners
I Want My Money Back. You've Pushed Back The Production Date Five (5) Times. | Elio Owners

[Xist]

The third and fourth links from the most recent Elio Owner[']s Newsletter:

Elio Motors Announces Another Production Start Delay | Elio Owners
I Want My Money Back. You've Pushed Back The Production Date Five (5) Times. | Elio Owners

[NeilBlanchard]

So, there is a forum for Elio deposit holders (even though they call it a owners forum):

Elio Owners

I started looking through their thread on the P5, and saw this:

Noticed that is the manual transmission installed. Aisin BC5.

[freebeard]

While all the eyes have been on Elio, Arcimoto have burned through eight (8), not five pre-production prototypes and are currently assembling their alpha production products for delivery in November. At $11,900.



Tesla may have Falcon doors, but the SRK 8 has Eagle doors. With Watts linkage. A history of the eight prototypes is at History - Arcimoto

By swapping or removing body panels it can be open (like a sand rail) or a closed tandem two seater or single seat delivery vehicle.

[Hersbird]

I like that Arcimoto, I like that it's from Eugene, OR. I don't like that it doesn't have a heater or and A/C and if it did it would have very little range. The A/C would be needed as it looks like it is a greenhouse, block that roof off with a solar panel or something. Their price seems more realistically possible as its is much less content then what Elio is promising for under $7000. I also like that they seem to embrace that it is a motorcycle not a car, although they too use "vehicle" too often in their page. You don't want people coming back later in lawsuits. It's not a safer car it's a safer motorcycle.

[freebeard]

If you know Eugene, you know the Whittaker neighborhood. It's where the anarchists hang out. The address 544 Blair is in the heart of the Whittaker and there's no factory, office or even sign there. But I do see the early prototypes running around town.

Since I posted that here, I've found an article on WiReD:

The Key to Cheap Electric Cars? Ditch the Steering Wheel | WIRED



As you can see the lack of air conditioning is not a problem. That appears to be 6th and Madison, by the 105 off-ramp.

Switching to the handlebar design would enable passengers to sit upright, slim the vehicle down by 500 pounds, and shave 20 inches off the length, enabling it to be parked like a motorcycle—all without reducing the power of the engine. The simplicity could also have a major impact on manufacturing the SRK. While Tesla has been plagued by delays due to its incredibly complex supply chain, Frohnmayer says the SRK will have only around 1,000 parts, which will make it far easier to build.

[ecoboy]

I hope more and more companies get us 50 mpg+ vehicles that are under $10k. It used to be high mpg vehicles are not that desirable, and not the extra mpg comes at a premium.

[Hersbird]

Lack of A/C in Eugene may not be a big problem but here in Montana it is 95 for 3 months and 15 for 3 months with the other 6 months similar to Eugene with less rain. Meaning really nice. My motorcycle is pretty much unrideable this 3 winter months due to traction and almost unrideable the 3 95 degree months because of the heat. Maybe if I rode helmetless and without a jacket and in shorts like I see so many. The A/C isn't totally mandatory, my work truck doesn't have it, but at least you need a place out of the sun. Plus if it's electric why not have a solar panel on the roof? The heater is needed if nothing else to keep the windshield clear in the rain and cold.

[Hersbird]

Look at this new Artic Cat Wildcat Trail. A narrow, 50" wide, side by side 4x4 with a 700cc parallel twin motor. It is $11,000. This picture almost looks like what it could look like with a 3 wheel setup. Narrow the cab for a front back seating setup, or maybe go 3 seater with a single in the back. It would lose all that suspension travel and only be front wheel drive.


Actually maybe just buy this thing as is and try and lower and aero it. They already make a sweet armoured belly pan for it.

[freebeard]

I think I'll track them down (they will be shipping them from somewhere) and find out if they plan to run one at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

They claim an 85mph top speed. I'll bet with aired-up tires and a full boat tail it would top 100mph.