wheaters
Elio Addict
Hello folks, I've been keeping a close eye on developments of the Elio from across the Atlantic. I've been saying for years that we all commute in vehicles which are far too big and heavy, especially when driving alone. I used to commute on a motorcycle but it's not practical for my line of work. In the 1980s I looked at designing my own lighweight three wheeler commuter car with the intention of keeping dry and warm. I came up with some sketches and made a balsa wood chassis to check its rigidity, and I was treated with great scepticism. The car never got built but the idea remains. The Elio is exactly what I intended to build for myself.
I have two Suzuki Swift 993cc G10 engines. One is in the original car, which will soon be given to my daughter to drive, but the other will be fitted in my "Liege" home built trials car later this year. The latter presently runs with a tuned 850cc Reliant engine.
Having looked at the Elio engine it's immediately obvious that it's an upgraded G10! It even appears to use an off the shelf Suzuki water pump and have a standard Suzuki gearbox bolt pattern (nothing's been said about the transmission). This is no bad thing because the G10 is a cracking little motor. Those concerned about performance of the Elio with 55 bhp need not worry, having driven the Swift on our busy motorways, it has no trouble keeping up with other traffic and the G10 produces only 52 bhp.
I won't be putting down a deposit because it's too early to know if the Elio will be usable in UK. However, if it proves to be so, I'll happily trade in my BMW!
I have two Suzuki Swift 993cc G10 engines. One is in the original car, which will soon be given to my daughter to drive, but the other will be fitted in my "Liege" home built trials car later this year. The latter presently runs with a tuned 850cc Reliant engine.
Having looked at the Elio engine it's immediately obvious that it's an upgraded G10! It even appears to use an off the shelf Suzuki water pump and have a standard Suzuki gearbox bolt pattern (nothing's been said about the transmission). This is no bad thing because the G10 is a cracking little motor. Those concerned about performance of the Elio with 55 bhp need not worry, having driven the Swift on our busy motorways, it has no trouble keeping up with other traffic and the G10 produces only 52 bhp.
I won't be putting down a deposit because it's too early to know if the Elio will be usable in UK. However, if it proves to be so, I'll happily trade in my BMW!
Last edited: