So, could this be the next big thing in the automotive world?

OverlandMike

OverlandMike

Adventurist
Founding Member
The Elio might be the next step in automotive world. Set for production mid 2014, they are taking over a closed GM plant and creating USA jobs. This would be a great commuter or local runabout vehicle with mileage rivaling that of hybrids and even a lot of motorcycles. The wife and I love the concept enough we popped down $100 for a reservation of one. If they keep this around the estimated asking price of $6,800, we are very likely to see a LOT of these on the roads.

https://www.eliomotors.com/

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What do you think?
 
Cool idea. Like the efficiency. Crash safety comes to mind though...
 
Full roll cage frame and 3 air bags. They are expecting a 5 star rating but I guess we'll have to see.
 
That looks pretty cool. I don't think it will do any better then the smart car or fiat but we well see. Small cars are huge in Europe but America fast cars, luxury SUVs and Big trucks.
 
I can see that thing as a sunny climate commuter but that's about it. No way would something like that be useful as a year round vehicle here in the snow belt. It would end up being just a goofy motocycle thing in someone's garage at the end of October. If that's the case why buy one other than to be chic or trendy?
 
Looks like they put a body kit on a can-am trike. It would be handy in a city like LA or down in TX and PHX.
 
It does have heat, A/C, wiper and being FWD, could do fairly well in bad weather. Maybe with some studded tires, it could work well in light snow (or be fun as hell).

Keep in mind, it gets 84 highway/ 49 city MPG and only costs $6,800. That's less than half a Smart, IQ, Fiat, etc.
 
I love how they paint all these things silver, like a pinball. Because that's exactly what it will be in an accident.
 
It certainly would do well on the overall cost of ownership front. Having a car like that would make the "cost of the trip" argument pretty all but invalid...

Personally, I'd prefer another bike, but not all folks ride.
 
Price point is less than a new KLR... and it gets twice the gas mileage.
 
Dave said:
Price point is less than a new KLR... and it gets twice the gas mileage.
Click to expand...

It might not be as safe as many cars, but a lot safer than a bike...

Might be the right answer for a lot of folks. I hope they sell the crap out of it. The less this country depends on oil for anything other than recreation the better.
 
Trikes are cool; good fuel economy is cool.

Regarding snow travel, my MINI crossed the Cherohala before the plows after a good storm. We had to ram our way across but it was fun. When we got to the NC side we saw the team of plows ready to deploy to the passes; they gave us a stunned look and saluted as we motored past. It only got about a foot deep though...
I had a separate set of wheels and tires for the MINI but no chains or studs.
If you've never driven a light front-drive car in the snow, it's hard to explain. My MINIs were much better than the Jeep or PW in snow.
The downfall of the Elio will be the third wheel in the center though. It will hit all the road debris and won't have grooves to follow in rain or snow. It will take more caution.

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I like it! My commute is 83 miles round trip. Perfect for the PNW wet weather, heat/defrost, front wheel drive. I think a better option than a bike for me, WAY more useful.
 
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