The Elio. One door, 2 seats, 3 wheels, 84 mpg, made in the USA with a $6800 price tag. And now, Elio founder and CEO Paul Elio is about to announce on February 6, 2015 what he believes is the first start-up vehicle manufacturer to develop its own internal combustion engine since Nash Motors in 1951. Engine developer IAV (a company which has worked with such global icons as Mercedes and BMW) twas been tapped to create a unique blend of power, efficiency for low-cost, highly fuel efficient commuter vehicle. The 0.9 liter, 3-cylinder engine prototype will have an official “first start” at a private event for investors, suppliers and media. The event will be held at the Plymouth, Michigan, offices of IAV.
“We looked at existing engines and couldn’t find anything that met our needs. We challenged IAV to develop something from the ground up and they delivered” says Paul Elio. The IAV team started with a three cylinder architecture and developed several Elio-specific components, including the cylinder block, cylinder heads, CAM cover, front cover, oil pan, crankshaft, camshaft, valvetrain, pistons, connecting rods, bearings and water pump. This allowed the engine development team the flexibility to keep the design simple, efficient and easy to manufacture while enabling all of the major fuel economy related attributes – combustion system, friction and pumping energy – to be enhanced.
In addition to providing ultra-high fuel efficiency, the vehicle will go from 0-60 in 9.6 seconds and will have a top speed of more than 100 miles per hour. Elio and its manufacturing partner Comau will build the vehicle at a world-class manufacturing facility in Shreveport where General Motors previously built the Hummer H3 and Chevy Colorado. The company states that 40,000 people have made reservations for a spot in line to buy one when they go to production. The Elio was recently named by CNET.com readers http://bit.ly/1C7pFYQ as the item they would most like to take home from the Consumer Electronics Show, beating out new products from tech giants such as Samsung and HP. When the Elio goes to market. Elio says that he will create 1,500 jobs at the company and another 1,500 jobs at its supplier partner companies, these manufacturing jobs stated to create approximately 18,000 indirect jobs across the country. In addition, the Elio will use 90 percent North American content. Elio Motors.
I hear they are going to rename the Elio the Ponzi
He believes he’s the first start up vehicle manufacturer to develop his own engine since Nash in ’51? What rock has dude been living under that he hasn’t heard of Victory Motorcycles? And then he goes on to explain the motor wasn’t designed in house but farmed out to a supplier…Ponzi just might be the real name!
Maybe because Victory & Indian are not really startup companies. I see in their website that Elio claims a huge number of pre-orders looking suspicious to me.
Will never ride or drive anything looking like a toy.
I don’t see a future for this. Even at $6800.
This would be ideal for me during the colder months… but at only 3-4 months of unride-able weather conditions I still couldn’t justify the cost. I thinks its a fantastic Idea, and I know several people who have put down deposits on them.
David Grummel I could see saying that about Indian, but how could Victory possibly be described as anything other than a start up? 1999 a brand new motorcycle manufacturer with it’s own in house developed engine. Just because Polaris started it up doesn’t mean it’s not a start up, that just explains who started it up. For that matter what about Tesla? That’s another vehicle manufacturer start up, do they not have their own motor? Zero, Brammo, Motus? I was about to say EBR but I think he does use a Rotax engine…
Just for the sake of conversation I hope this isn’t a Ponzi and the company suddenly goes bankrupt just before manufacturing is supposed to begin with all deposits lost. Not much more than a niche item, but that could still easily be a 20k unit a year niche market that employs a lot of people. Now If it can really be sold that cheap make 500,000 units a year and export them. I can think of countries all over the globe that this would be an excellent transportation option, not just a niche market!
The market will decide
Good Luck, but I will not be buying !!!
Nuff Said !!!!
LOL- history repeats- it even looks like the Dale!
The Dale (for those younger than myself) was also going to be the “next big thing” in transportation- until the CEO was outed as a tranny, and the IPO was outed as a complete fraud.
Sad to say that I was involved in the Vector IPO- these guys always crawl out of the cracks during market excesses, trying to flip a quick buck.
Ridiculous claims aside, the styling is laughable- 1986 called, they want their car back……
When I was a kid, we were promised we would be avoiding traffic in our flying autos by the year 2000. Still waiting…..
WOW! tough crowd here. I see a market for these, the thing I like is 90% domestic content and 1500 American jobs. I wish them all the best.
Bob S – I like the way you think, Calif Phil, you also.
I don’t think they are awful, my car doesn’t make me who I am, I have 2 kids in College, I could use a smaller commuter with great gas mileage for all 45 minutes of my commute. No need to drive the 4 Door Nova Wagon to work anymore.
I hope it doesn’t bomb, but if it does, hold onto your panties gentlemen, this type of vehicle is happening out of necessity 1% of the world holds 1/2 the worlds wealth.
Surprised that they didn’t make it a turbo-Deisel so that it could run on kerosene, vegetable oil, etc.
As shown by the stupid Smart Car, there is a growing need for urban commuter vehicles that are economical, easy to park, and don’t clog traffic arteries. Motorcycles are perfect when the weather is okay, but only the boldest dare to do the daily commute by riding during the winter or in storms.
I don’t want one, but I wish them success..
+I’d own and drive one as supplemental to the bikes, but only once they’re successfully producing…
Ride on.
Roadkill
Something is wrong with my browser. I clicked on Cyril Huze for motorcycle news but this car crap comes up.
Reliant Robin anyone? this has 2 wheels at the front so a whole lot better….
There are 2 Messersmitts that come out in the spring here in Christchurch, England.
they got it right 60 odd years ago….
I want it, but with an escape hatch (sunroof) for the rear passenger. While you are at it – some rear vents to draw in some air back there. Finally, some tall lighted posts on the rear with a flag at the top of each so that soccer mom in the Expedition doesn’t mount me at the red light.