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

[NeilBlanchard]

They are working with IAV, who do lots of engines, including the Bugatti Veyron - obviously at the complete other end of the spectrum.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by adam728

But look at what pushrod 2 valve V8's can do now days.

In some ways a simple 2V engine can do very well for efficiency due to swirl characteristics that can be designed in. 4V engines generally need to use more tumble, getting ports setup for swirl is hard to package, and doing different variable lift or opening just one to promote swirl ads a lot of cost and complexity.

Nice comment (no this isn't /sarc) - however :

This isn't a V8, it is a 3cyl 1 litre unit, the dynamics are different.

VVT is not new technology, it has been around for 2 decades in one form or another. It is proven and it does work, reliably.

Elio could buy engines with this tomorrow from GM, Suzuki, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, VAG, Kia...

...and could also take advantage of the development work paid for by those makers, the spares backup (buy a part in your local parts store or breakers vs. a custom unit from Elio ?)

And emissions testing/approval - these engines have gone through it already.



In summary the "perfect" engine does not exist. Trying to copy a Suzuki unit circa 1985 and "update" it is not a good approach and is wasting money. If I was an investor I would be asking some serious questions, or selling out.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

They are working with IAV, who do lots of engines, including the Bugatti Veyron - obviously at the complete other end of the spectrum.

Do you have a link for that ? I can't find anything except IAV being involved in the DCT (aka DSG) transmission and a forum post elsewhere linking IAV to VAG.

[NeilBlanchard]

Here a couple of links on the IAV designed engine from earlier in this thread:

Elio Motors shows first photos of engine block | TechnologyTell

Engine Q&A with IAV – 2-21-14 | Elio Motors

[Grant-53]

Consider what a 1970's European sedan looked like with a Cd of .40 or so. What is the balance between acceleration and fuel economy required by the car buying public? Consider a popular car such as a Toyota Corolla with 100 hp. 4 cylinder and weight of 3300 lb. with max capacity of 800 lb. A vehicle needs to "feel" right to a buyer as well as having good numbers. That's the marketing aspect coming into play. Comfort, convenience, and cost of operation all affect the buying decision. From the manufacturer's point of view 'optimum' is measured in units sold per year and margin per unit.

[freebeard]

Electric Arcimoto trike edges toward production
October 23, 2014 – Stephen Edelstein

Eugene, Oregon-based Arcimoto first announced its SRK electric three-wheeler back in 2009, and it’s been inching closer to production since then.

The SRK is currently in its seventh generation, but hasn’t made it into customer hands yet. Arcimoto has been continually refining the design, and hopes to put it on sale classified as a motorcycle for ease of certification.

That unusual design puts the SRK in the same category as pseudo-cars like the Elio Motors and Morgan three-wheelers, not forgetting the Polaris Slingshot. Quite a diverse bunch.

...

Arcimoto eventually hopes to sell the SRK for under $20,000, but so far it’s had trouble just getting prototypes into production. It announced an initial run of 15 ‘pilot’ units back in 2012, but decided to go back to the drawing board for more changes instead of starting production.

Their address puts them in the Whittaker neighborhood, somewhere around the World Café or Tiny Tavern.

They are showing the 7th generation. I see the earlier ones ($40K. ouch) scooting around town.

[RustyLugNut]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Now, all ELIO has to do is get that 3-banger tested and passed by the EPA (for USA markets) and the EU (for european markets).

. . . for the motorcycle class. A much easier requirement and thus, the advantage of a 3 wheel vehicle.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Here a couple of links on the IAV designed engine from earlier in this thread:

Neither link mentions Bugatti.

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Now, all ELIO has to do is get that 3-banger tested and passed by the EPA (for USA markets) and the EU (for european markets).

Or if they used a ready made one already approved, they could just start selling cars. One method includes lots of forms and officialdom, delays, money spent and frustration - and one just involves, er, selling cars.

Oh no, sorry, not a car - a "motorcyle combination" as they are called here in the UK - that means one of these :



Which means they avoid the crash test requirement. TBH if I was in the hunt for a 3 wheeler I would perhaps hunt one of these down



Yes there is a car there.

[NeilBlanchard]

I was told by an Elio employee when I saw the P4 that IAV are designers of the Bugatti engine.

[Arragonis]

It doesn't affect their ability as engine designers or builders. The wisdom of doing so still seems odd.