Elio motors. 3 wheeler car that promises 84 mpg and $6800

[AustinInDallas]

In Europe, there's a market. But not in most of the US, IMO.

You need a niche that is essentially 'scooters for old people.' A small, efficient, 'better than walking' vehicle is hard enough to market...when you've got a cheaper, smaller, less miserable alternative (as I think scooters are)...why bother?

6800 is crazy money.

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modelhome/150/0/home.aspx

This can be taken on the highway.
This has AC
This can comfortably hold two people...on the highway.
It has 3 wheels, so you dont have to worry about falling over.

 

[waggy]

Looks like a can-am with a shell around it. A 5 star crash rating would be awesome. I'd love to see those slow-mo crash videos.

I think it would look awesome with a giant fake mustache across the top of the grill.

that is what i was thinking. its a can0am with a shell.


it wouldn't be to bad to have if its safe.

 

[sontakke]

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/tata/2012-tata-nano-from-bollywood-to-hollywood/index.shtml

 

[WackyDan]

And about 1/4 the price of a Can-Am and has air conditioning

1/3 the cost of the Spyder RS/RSS and not as well performing.

I'll believe the MPG when people actually buy one.

 

[WackyDan]

I might add... I do own a CanAm Spyder. I've owned plenty of motorcycles too. I have a Super Crew F-150 and we have the family sedan.

So these 3 wheel concepts intrigue me a bit more than most. Efficiency is part of it, along with the lower cost. Anything that gives you another choice is a plus in my book and if we didn't have a kid, this might be in our garage instead of the sedan.

These 3 wheelers tend to be less complex than a 4 wheeled vehicle... Mainly because they don't get classified as a "car". So maintenance costs tend to be potentially cheaper - or at least have potential to be.

Best MPG I've got on the Spyder was 38mpg tooling around at 45-50 MPH. I get 30-32 mpg at 75MPH with my touring shield all the way up. * I didn't buy the spyder for the mileage per gallon... But my 0-60 time will eat that Elio... But the Elio will keep me dry.

Anyway... Options are good and there are a lot more companies promoting 3 wheelers today then there was before the Spyder became so successful.

 

[MrPickins]

Seems like this has been done before...:hmm:

 

[Doppel]

Seems like this has been done before...:hmm:

Notice how that ridiculous car has the two wheels at the back, exactly where you don't want them. A three wheeled car with two at the front shouldn't do too badly.

I do own a CanAm Spyder

I would totally like to own one of those. Look quite fun but safer than a motorbike (no need to shit pants when see gravel, for example).

 

[WackyDan]

Notice how that ridiculous car has the two wheels at the back, exactly where you don't want them. A three wheeled car with two at the front shouldn't do too badly.
I would totally like to own one of those. Look quite fun but safer than a motorbike (no need to shit pants when see gravel, for example).

Yes, two up front means a lot more stability. Gravel... You can run into issues even on a spyder. I've had the rear get into some and try to buck me once it got traction again. Yes, it is stable but only as safe as you choose to ride. One thing I have noticed over the years I've had the Spyder is that drivers at intersections and driveways tend to notice the wider cross section of the spyder more readily than my bikes.

 

[smackababy]

http://tritontrikes.com/electric.html

Wow, way to sell it.That's not how it works. In a crash a smart car is a ready-made coffin and this will be, too.

The car is not terrible, though the $6800 is probably a pipe dream. I don't think it will sell all that terribly well. A lot of people still mock the Prius, which is many times the car this is. Getting people into this isn't going to be easy. Some would do it though.

The real problem with Smart cars is they cost way too much, $13k, and only get 38MPG highway (if you dare bring it on the highway).

 

[phucheneh]

You guys do realize that the Reliant Robin stunt on Top Gear was...a stunt, right? I mean, it's fucking hilarious, but they messed with the car to make it so roll-happy.

If anyone has not seen the TG thing...it's worth your time. I promise:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bIn_ZgHJaE

Not that the design isn't terrible...just that a lot of people were given the impression that someone actually sold a car that rolled over on every corner, always.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Are 3 wheeled cars allowed to compete at autox events? Looks like it would be a fun to drive second car.

 

[Svnla]

I saw a working model in person and I don't think it will work because:

1) The back seat is very tiny/cramp even for a 5'10, 180 lbs person like me, and zero space for anything else in the back. No rear hatch or door. Nothing open in the back.

2) The company is having problem with financing and set up suppliers and franchise dealers network.

3) The car is ok for city driving but no way I will drive it on interstate highways.

4) The price is $6,800 (for now) but the owner would not say it will be $6,800 when it is on sale (soon but no firm date yet). He is planning to build the vehicles at the former GM truck plant in Shreveport, La.

5) The vehicle is just like a 3 wheels motorbike such as Cam Am but with a plastic cover and two windows and 3 cylinders engine.


A friend sent me this link with vehicle interacted with the public a few days ago = http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps...i=NEWS&Lopenr=305110802&Ref=PH&nclick_check=1

 

[Possessed Freak]

I am highly interested in this, assuming the following:
1) That I can remove the second seat to make more storage.
2) That I can slide the drivers seat back far enough to fit in it.
3) That I can safely go on the Interstate (get up to speed in a fast enough time).

 

[wirednuts]

a properly designed 3 wheel car, with 2 wheels in front, is the most stable car you will ever drive. with the motor on top of the front wheels, its impossible to tip the car over... the trikes have been tested at 50mph full cut of the steering wheel... it just spins out.

a triangle shape is more stable then a square... so it makes sense.

 

[Mandres]

I honestly think this is just a grab for investment capital and we'll never see these on the road.

$6,800 is laughably low, and the fact they're still throwing this price around makes me very suspicious. The biggest motorcycle manufacturers in the world can barely put a bike on the market for that price, and this is a guy in a garage with no purchasing power and lots more parts to engineer than a normal 2-wheel bike. Does anyone really think this company can undercut Polaris by half on price?

I'll remain skeptical until I have the opportunity to buy one.

 

[smackababy]

I honestly think this is just a grab for investment capital and we'll never see these on the road.

$6,800 is laughably low, and the fact they're still throwing this price around makes me very suspicious. The biggest motorcycle manufacturers in the world can barely put a bike on the market for that price, and this is a guy in a garage with no purchasing power and lots more parts to engineer than a normal 2-wheel bike. Does anyone really think this company can undercut Polaris by half on price?

I'll remain skeptical until I have the opportunity to buy one.

For around $7500 I can get a 2012 Ninja 650r, which is more bike than this thing is going to be. I don't think the price is completely unrealistic.

 

[AustinInDallas]

I honestly think this is just a grab for investment capital and we'll never see these on the road.

$6,800 is laughably low, and the fact they're still throwing this price around makes me very suspicious. The biggest motorcycle manufacturers in the world can barely put a bike on the market for that price, and this is a guy in a garage with no purchasing power and lots more parts to engineer than a normal 2-wheel bike. Does anyone really think this company can undercut Polaris by half on price?

I'll remain skeptical until I have the opportunity to buy one.

i agree that the price is way too low, but im sure those motorcycle companies make those bikes for 40-50% of the sale price. Motorcycle companies spend TONS on advertising. This company(as of right now) looks like they are going to milk the press. From there the price sells it.

 

[MrPickins]

Notice how that ridiculous car has the two wheels at the back, exactly where you don't want them. A three wheeled car with two at the front shouldn't do too badly.
I would totally like to own one of those. Look quite fun but safer than a motorbike (no need to shit pants when see gravel, for example).

I should have mentioned that I was kidding. ^_^

 

[iamwiz82]

I have seen that on the streets around here. Makes sense since this shot is just down the road from me.

 

[Svnla]

Specs of the vehicle (from Jerome Vassallo, VP of Elio):

3 cylinders, 1 liter size, 70 hp engine, can go up to 107 mph, 0-60 in the low 9 seconds, 84 MPG on the highway, 5 star crash rating.

Power windows, lock, AC, AM/FM stereo radio. All of that for $6,800 (for now, subject to change).

In 2009, Paul Elio tried to sell his idea to Michigan but the state and local folks turned him down. We will see if he will make this work or Louisiana would waste all of their money (over 100 million dollars so far) down the drain.

If any of you want this, you can put a deposit on this car, from $100 to $1,000 dollars. Come on, AT high rollers.

 

[tortoise]

A 5 star crash rating would be awesome. I'd love to see those slow-mo crash videos.

Since the Elio 3-wheeler would probably be classified as a motorcycle or trimobile in most states, it will be interesting to see what crash test criteria is used. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety offset crash testing is very impressive . . video.

From a "grocery getting" perspective, the Scoot Coupe offers a rear trunk . . videos. Even most flat-floor scooters offer 4-on-the-floor capability . . plus under-seat and rear carrier stowage.

 

[wirednuts]

im sorry but if someone in a regular car hits you in that thing, youre going to die. 5 star crash rating is a bit of a joke if you ask me, but people like to be told they are safe so i suppose whatever sells...

 

[Vic Vega]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=w-SawjhfwQk

Only the second video after the first one, you know... on the same freaking page, no less.

That video opens with the camera man standing in the bus lane in down town Orlando with the county building straight ahead. He must want to get run over, and then arrested.

 

[AustinInDallas]

im sorry but if someone in a regular car hits you in that thing, youre going to die. 5 star crash rating is a bit of a joke if you ask me, but people like to be told they are safe so i suppose whatever sells...

we shall see

 

[wirednuts]

we shall see

if i hit that head on, hell even rear end it with my truck, ill go right over the top and tear whoever is inside in half...

its not something that would keep me from driving it though, i ride motorcycles so this isnt any worse then that... but still, to say in any way that is 'safe' is a little misleading i think. if 80% of the other cars out there were the same weight and dimensions it would be different, but that is not reality right now.