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Elio Motors Ultra High Mileage Vehicle = 84 MPG for $6800!

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by jameskatt, Aug 17, 2014.

  1. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Where can I get a BEV, PHV, or even a hybrid for ten grand or less? Odds are stacked against Elio, but I hope they succeed.
    Keep in mind that a motorcycle has a worse drag coefficient than semi trucks. Their saving grace is tiny frontal area. The Elio's frontal area isn't much more than a large motorcycle, and its cd will be around that of hybrids and other fuel efficient cars.
     
  2. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    There was also the Isetta BMW and the Heinkel Kabine. In German, Kabine means cubicle.
     
  3. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    And the overall drag isn't that much, in most cases BECAUSE of the small frontal profile.
     
  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Yes. The Elio regardless of frontal area has a much better drag coefficient than a motorcycle. Then the frontal area isn't much larger than the bike. Thus will have a much better overall drag than the motorcycle.
     
  5. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    It's going to have ZERO drag, because it will never be built.
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you might be right, let's look at the facts again:

    1) gas is not at an all time high especially when you throw in inflation.

    2) we're not really being crowded off of our roads because we take up a space the size of the car we're driving. this will only be solved by less cars, which is also not going to happen. no one is going to buy a smaller car because they got dinged in a parking lot.

    3) cars are probably cheaper than they've ever been, relatively speaking.
     
    #86 bisco, Oct 25, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2014
  7. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Yogi was right when he said, It's deja vu all over again.

    These economy vehicles filled a niche with Post WWII Europe. People only bought them as a bridge to a vehicle that they really wanted or needed.
     
  8. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Exactly.

    People didn't buy such vehicles because they liked them (with the exception of the odd bod), they bought them because they were all that was available at a reasonable price at a time of petrol rationing and steel and raw material shortages due to most factories having been bombed. Once people could buy proper cars again they did.

    Someone tried to resurrect such a car here about 45 years ago; a futuristic (for its time), fuel efficient three wheeled two seater. It sold a few but flopped. The Elio will go exactly the same way - guaranteed.

    [​IMG]

    They're collectable now strangely.

    Bond Bug - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
     
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  9. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    I saw one of these bought, refurbished and re-sold by Mike Brewer and Edd China on an episode of Wheeler Dealers from the UK.

    More practical and lives to this day is the Mini originally designed by Alec Issigonis. It survives to this day in cars almost ALL front wheel drive cars.
     
  10. Ashlem

    Ashlem Senior Member

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    Will be interesting to see what happens to this car. The only things they have going for it is that 84 mpg estimate, and the $6800 price tag. I wonder how it would do in snow, unless Elio suggests people don't drive it in the winter.

    That said, I could see some people using a car like this for commuting to work, and having a bigger 2nd vehicle for other stuff.
     
  11. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    You left off Aptera - as noted above:

    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Apteracar1.jpg

    At least Aptera had a bunch of proto's running around the landscape. I tried one out in San Diego before they went belly up. Many like the style, as did I. The Elio web site? Um ... all I see are graphics ... and not that well done, fwiw. On difference between 3 wheels & 4 .... you MAY miss that dead skunk in the middle of your lane by going right over its center. The 3 wheeler assures your ride will stink to high heaven.
    .
     
    #91 hill, Oct 26, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2014
  12. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The last line is why I think they have slim chance. Many aren't willing to downsize their main ride, but do want to save gas on their daily drive. The Elio is promising scooter fuel economy and price without the exposure to the elements and better crash protection. A used fuel sipper in its price range will likely have potential maintenance issues.

    It is a FWD trike with most of the weight over the front. It should be fine in most weather. The Elio may have issues on unplowed roads due to ground clearance and the wheel arrangement. The front two may not be wide enough to stradle any ruts made by traffic, and the rear one will always be in the unplowed slush.

    They do have prototypes out. The recent review linked was with the latest, except for using an engine and transmission from an old Metro.
     
  13. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    I suspect it will have excellent winter traction (though probably lacks stability control).

    One of my coworkers put in a deposit for one a year ago.

    He has an 80 mile round trip commute which is probably his main motivator. That being said, he's also a fan of all things new and unusual. He lives in a 14 sided house that he had built a few years ago.

    The targeted price and fuel mileage (given its conventional drivetrain) have always seemed challenging, to say the least.

    Nonetheless I wish them the best.
     
  14. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Used 2001-03 Prius, compact, 5-seat sedan, $4,500, and no depreciation. May require random maintenance so best for those who can turn a wrench.

    Bob Wilson
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if it only needed a wrench, i'd take one.:X3:
     
  16. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Well we do have a world-class, brain trust in the hidden Gen 1 forum.

    Bob
     
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  17. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Only time will tell. We heard stories of cheap, economic cars that were supposed to take US by storm. I remember Yugo, because I used to own that POS. Recently, SmartCar and FIAT were supposed to do that.
     
  18. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    The least viable econo car has to be the Nissan Versa at just under $11,000.

    It is made in Aguascalentes (hot water), Aguascalientes, Mexico by Nissan, SA.
     
  19. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    The only reason that they're not economical is that they Americanise them. "That puny 1.2 engine must be rubbish, let's put an American made 1.6 in, that'll ruin it". What's the point of importing an economical European car and then tinkering with it to give it more power. It's then no longer an economical car.

    Saying that, Ford UK imported the Ford Mustang and then stuck a 2.0 litre engine in it. Now it's too heavy and underpowered but more economical.
     
    #99 GrumpyCabbie, Oct 26, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2014
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    anyone buying a yugo was not concerned with horsepower.:)