For Realz? 84mpg 3 wheels, $6800 eliomotors

[Go2Trackdays]

Do you Barfers think it's actually POSSIBLE that they will be able to Mass Produce a 2 seater (inline) CAR that gets 84 mpg for $6800?

As far as I know, they're "working" on the manufacturing plant....

www.eliomotors.com

 

[Archimedes]

For me it would be all about safety. Vehicles like this seem to have all the safety disadvantages of a motorcycle, with none of the advantages. It says 'anticipated 5 star crash rating', which I would think would be pretty important if they want to sell a lot of them.

 

[byke]

I think Aptera all over again.

 

[rodr]

The sketchy specs seem dubious to me. 0-100 mph in 9.6 seconds, but 84 mpg and gasoline-powered only?

I suppose it would be more aerodynamic than a motorcycle, but still....

 

[Go2Trackdays]

and they're actively taking $100 - $1000 reservations

Just think: how many NEW HWY-ready motorcycles are less than $6,800 ? not many

 

[bojangle]

Interesting. I think they will catch a fair share of the auto market if they turn out to be everything they claim. Might be a good option for parents looking to buy their teen a car to college with, or affordable for the young person just starting out.

 

[Archimedes]

5 star (controlled environment) crash rating or not, you gonna put your kid in that? Imagine it getting broadsided by a Suburban. They might as well just put a few handles for the pall bearers on em.

 

[wannabe]

Did they ever make an internal combustion version of the Corbin Sparrow?

 

[Lunch Box]

I can't help but think of the poor Reliant Robin

 

[bojangle]

5 star (controlled environment) crash rating or not, you gonna put your kid in that? Imagine it getting broadsided by a Suburban. They might as well just put a few handles for the pall bearers on em.

Yeah, large vehicles always win. But, how many people have kids/young adults who ride motorcycles? With airbags and all, and assuming they did get a 5-star crash rating, they're probably safer than motorcycles.

Did they ever make an internal combustion version of the Corbin Sparrow?

No. They made a trial run of a different model of Corbin powered by an internal combustion motorcycle engine. It was a more expensive "exotic" vehicle than the Sparrow and I'm not sure if they ever went into production with it. The Sparrow was all electric, a little before it's time for market demand, and I think the biggest problem was just bad management that never got the line off the ground. Investors and early adopters lost lots of money on them.

 

[mike23w]

this would be great in a dense urban city.

small enough to make parking easier. great gas mileage. lower speeds means crashing isn't as bad as crashing on the highway. don't have to worry about wearing motorcycle gear.

at $6800 i'd assume the reliability is not there.

one thing we do know about markets is price is a huge factor in purchasing decisions. a very large number of people won't care about anything except it's $6800.

 

[maxandgrinch]

What crash testing? That's why it has 3 wheels.

Like all three wheelers, Elio would be regulated by the government as a motorcycle, but Elio says he aims to meet car five-star safety standards. It will have three airbags and energy-absorbing zones for crashes.

Aiming can take a long time.

Slingshot in local dealer showrooms by June.

 

[Archimedes]

Yeah, large vehicles always win. But, how many people have kids/young adults who ride motorcycles? With airbags and all, and assuming they did get a 5-star crash rating, they're probably safer than motorcycles.

In passive safety terms, yes, but not in active safety, which is equally or more important. A moto is going to have way better visibility and maneuverability. From a safety perspective, these micro cars give up almost as much in passive safety terms relative to a full size vehicle as a moto does, but you don't gain any of the advantages of a bike.

 

[Lex Talionis]

Interesting. I think they will catch a fair share of the auto market if they turn out to be everything they claim. Might be a good option for parents looking to buy their teen a car to college with, or affordable for the young person just starting out.

First fail at parallel parking will rip off one of those outrigger wheels. THEN, probably no local dealer or parts to fix the damage.

Lex

 

[channelcat]

maybe theyre targeting third world/emerging market areas where theres a demographic getting tired of selling chickens off of their bicycles, and tickling that market to upscale. nation building and all that crap.
In the US? cant wait to see a hipster operating one who thinks they discovered the next cool thing:laughing

 

[maxandgrinch]

maybe theyre targeting third world/emerging market areas where theres a demographic getting tired of selling chickens off of their bicycles, and tickling that market to upscale. nation building and all that crap.
cant wait to see a hipster operating one who thinks they discovered the next cool thing:laughing

Then why in the world would they choose to build them in one of the most unfriendly to industry, expensive, old boy's club based countries on the planet? EPA, PETA, OSHA, IRS, The Sopranos, MADD and NHTSA all the other terrorists that make this a miserable place to attempt a business.

 

[sanjuro]

Just for giggles, I compared it to the Can-Am Spyder.

Wheelbase is 110" vs Spyder's 68". The front wheel width 67" vs 52".

This is a funny one. I have always said the Spyder has all the disadvantages of a car and the motorcycle. But the Elio is almost different.

Most driving is going to work alone, so why do you need a four-seater with trunk space? You could get crunched, but I think having a cage around you is better than being exposed like on a bike. And if it rains...

I would make the styling even geekier. I drove a Leaf and the dorkier the better.

 

[mike23w]

3 wheels i think it means it's a motorcycle so you should be able to drive the hov lane

 

[maxandgrinch]

Size? How about comparing their financials? Bombardier is the 3rd biggest aircraft manufacturer on the planet. Edit: And they sold off BRP Bombardier Recreational Products - whoops.

BRP gross sales about $280 million and for the IP was in the $2.5B range.

Elio - here are the projected financials they created and released. He expects to sell 2200 more vehicles in the first year of production than Mini did in 2012. And four times that many in the following years.

If the Elio numbers are correct, they'll be as plentiful as Honda Civics, Corolla's, and F150's. I'm all for efficiency, but what I could really use is a tax loss...... Hmmmm

 

[CABilly]

Sounds like a great commuter. I'd rock one.