Open Discussion about EMC3 by Eco Motor Corp.
 

ECO Motor Company - Welcome to EMC3 - The Shape of the Future - 60+ MPG EMC3 Commuter

I'm interested in this vehicle as a "play car" for rainy days or general errand running. they claim 60mpg on a 10 gallon tank at 87octane for 600 mile range. It uses a 1.0L 3cyl engine in reverse trike layout. Seating for 2, heat, AC, power windows, am/fm/mp3/cd, LED lighting system, highway capable all for..... $14k (w/ mtx)

This is something that is very interesting to me because the owner of the company also mentioned in an interview that they have a turbo-intercooled version making 85+hp (standard is 52hp). I can't find curb weight anywhere but it doesn't look TOO bad. 85hp won't make it a rocket by any means but I bet it'll be more fun to drive than a honda Fit and will get more attention.

What do you guys like/dislike about this vehicle? I'm very pro-EV but I'd buy this gas-powered car today if I could see one in person and drive it. It meets all my needs (except performance) and is licensed as a motorcycle so costs will be much cheaper than buying a Fit or Cube or Soul.

thoughts?

http://www.ecomotorcompany.com/ECOIm...alkaround2.swf

Electric Frenzy -

I was looking for the transmission specs and I found this :

ECO Motor Company - ECO 1.0 Liter Engine Specifications - EMC3 The Shape of the Future
52 HP * 28.85 pounds/HP = 1500 pounds.

It looks like a Metro Trike Convertible.

CarloSW2

Electric Frenzy -

I also found this :

http://www.ecomotorcompany.com/ECOSp...troduction.pdf
Depending on your POV, reduced regulation compliance can be a good or a bad thing. In the PDF you will also notice the plan view of a Tri-Magnum trike.

CarloSW2

Yeah, the power/weight ratio isn't all that good for the trike but I'm hoping to be able to score an 85+hp version that should really help out.

What do you think about it though? Would you be interested in something like this? Does it sound quality? The early prototype looked solid but the new production model (made in china) looks leaps and bounds above the original. It looks on par with modern Kia cars today.

IMO, what you're getting for what you're paying would make this the best bang for the buck on the market. Supposedly they are going on sale THIS MONTH. I'm trying to get someone to contact me about one so I can see it in person.

A Metro trike would be remarkably similar in specification:

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...er/3wheel2.jpg

Electric Frenzy -

I think that's the main thing. I agree that the interior looks very good, but you have to be inside it to know for sure.

Personally I can't get into it, but I can't give you a good reason. It looks like it's aiming to be a low-budget Aptera.

It reminds me of a gasoline version of this freeway-speed EV :

Green Vehicles "Triac"
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/9655/triac01.th.jpg

CarloSW2

Frank -

Yeah, the 3 cylinder engine was another example of that, in my mind, anyway.

CarloSW2

Do we have any members in the Washington Area that would be interested in stopping by and inspecting one first hand to get some impressions?

It seems with all these upstarts popping up that we should do our part to get the word out about them.

geo-eco (estimates) (why estimates? they exist don't they?)
1.0L-1.0L
55HP-52HP
54.7"T-51.71"T
149.4"L-156.5"L
6.3"ground clearance-6.0"ground clearance
39.1"head room-38"head room
48.9"shoulder room-51"shoulder room
42.5"leg room-42" leg room
1832lbs-1500lbs
10.6gallon-10.0gallon

Impressive! I like the wheel design of this 3-wheeler. (E-Pod & Green Machine are similar with 2 front wheels) I had never heard of this vehicle. Especially coming out this year! Thanks for the tip!

I would happily trade in my Kia (Ford Aspire) in a second! A lot of photos were in San Francisco, so a dealer of these might appear nearby.

It seems a little more refined than the Xebra but I do not have Chinese comparisons offhand.