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

[solarguy]

Do a google search for "6 people on a motorcycle" and then show the pics to your friend.

No, she doesn't need a behemoth to move 2 small children and a couple bags.

troy

[Grant-53]

We used to fit 3 children into a '85 Plymouth Horizon 4 dr. My son is 6' 2" and his 3 children, in car seats, just fit in their new Nissan Versa CVT.

The safety specs for NASCAR and NHRA include mild steel roll cages so a well designed space frame can provide excellent protection. The Smart car crash test video is amazing; I call them armored telephone booths.

The Gurgel frame could benefit from modern computer based modeling. Still it has good features for a light utility vehicle of it's time period.

[freebeard]

cRiPpLe_rOoStEr -- Thanks. That looks more like a Citroen 2CV than a VW. Weren't the early Gurgels VW based?

I'm not really impressed with the front engine/rear drive. The 2CV had an aftermarket conversion to 4WD that would work, but they're probably rarer than the Gurgel.

Edit: To answer myself: yes, and there are threads to prove it.

Yahoo! Images sorted these together:

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by botsapper

Another startup, Elio Motors, a Phoenix-based company said it would hire 1,500 workers and to take over a GM Shreveport assembly plant to build a fuel-efficient three-wheeler. Their relatively attractive green vehicle is very car-like, fully enclosed with power windows, airbags and air conditioning. American-made and America-sourced, maybe the new Ford EcoBoost 1L triple, 2012 Engine of the Year? Their most attractive marketing come on is the very low and reasonable pricing, for ONLY $6800! Their marketing presence are small enough to be under the big news radar but they are aggressively using social media and for their appeal for...$100 Facebook reservation (and you get $50 discount, a limited edition T-shirt & bumper sticker), federal funding and state tax breaks of a capital investment of about, let's say a round number - 100 million dollars?! Maybe too good to be...real?!

Caveat.

Original post...

Already tired of the redesign, pimpin' it! Still like those side headlamps and open front wheels.

Originally Posted by darcane

Looks slick, but the lack of details makes me very concerned about it being real... Computer models predict 5-star crash ratings? That doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling. For something that is going to start shipping in 2014, it seems like there are a lot of details to iron out.

Pics inside the engine compartment, interior, and rear suspension would be helpful, as well as details about the drivetrain and indications of there being more than just one prototype.

Few posts later...I don't have a source of the 2014 deliveries, but maybe they will be hitting the streets tomorrow...

I am very skeptical. As much as I would love for these to be on the road, it seems unlikely. Not saying never, but hope for the best, plan for the worse.

[ME_Andy]

A couple quotes from the Elio email this morning:

"First and foremost, Elio is on schedule to start hitting the road at the end of next year which is obviously, beyond exciting."

"As we get into the year, we'll continue to make our presence at the events our loyal supporters enjoy most. And, we're going more automotive. This means NASCAR events, and yes, the frequently-asked-about-on-Facebook auto shows. With our engine soon available for display, it makes auto shows a more logical stop and we look forward to expanding our reach to this audience."

I also heard from a different source that the engine is, in fact, on the dyno. :O

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by ME_Andy

I also heard from a different source that the engine is, in fact, on the dyno. :O

Is there a unicorn named Dyno?

[ME_Andy]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Is there a unicorn named Dyno?

You are so funny. Don't worry, you can still put your $100 down if it would prevent you from being jealous.

[cowmeat]

I am very skeptical. As much as I would love for these to be on the road, it seems unlikely. Not saying never, but hope for the best, plan for the worse.

I have to say, that's right where I'm at too. I'd love nothing more than to be in my own Elio in 2015 (it's my #1 goal for 2015) but I find it hard to believe it will happen. I'd be more than pleasantly surprised if they pull it off, and I'm rooting for them all the way, but at some point they need to stop talking and start producing!

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by ME_Andy

A couple quotes from the Elio email this morning:

"First and foremost, Elio is on schedule to start hitting the road at the end of next year which is obviously, beyond exciting."
:O

The end of next year??? Hours to go. I wonder if an old Xebra, Zenn, or even a Gem is still available to use until 2016.

[UltArc]

There is too much value here to pull snippets: Elio's CEO Explains How He Can Sell An 84 MPG Car For $6,800

Worth the read, and it actually gives me some confidence in them.