Texas Show Apr. 22-24: Post Your Questions

[skygazer6033]

Darrelin --- IAV designs engines they don't manufacturer them. It has been Elios intention all alone to contract a foundry to supply the castings for the engine block, head, cam cover and possibly oil pan. All these are to be machined and assembled in Shreveport. With the head alone need over 120 separate machining operations along with freezing the valve seats and guides to make a seviceable assembly. Along with machining and flame spraying the block I personally think it will cost more on engine tooling than on all the rest of the car assembly line combined. Probably need 50 to 100 million worth of precision milling and boring equipment to meet their full production goal.

 

[Darrellh]

That is what I am worried about, another obstacle to being able to produce the Elio.

 

[pistonboy]

I think I remember reading that the DOE loan has some conditions set before it's granted. One of which is the vehicle has to achieve 75MPG. So once they get the E-series rolling and conduct the necessary testing to determine the actual fuel efficiency then they'll have at least that bit of proof.

Added: read page two... http://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/02/f19/ATVM_Guidance_for_Applicants_11.4.14.pdf

Thanks for the link to the ATVM governmental document. I had been wanting this but did not have it.

In governmental documents, they tend to be extremely precise including defining all the terms they use. I searched the document for the words "proof of concept" to see all the requirements covered by it. I discovered these words (proof of concept) are not in the document. Yet, the tour people used this term as if it was a specified governmental requirement that Elio Motors had to meet, and gave a time frame it would be meet.

Thanks again for the link.

 

[pistonboy]

I believe the purpose of the touring team is to introduce the Elio to people who know nothing about it, and get them to make a reservation. The more people that make reservations, the more impressive the Elio looks and is more likely to draw investment money.

To convince people to make reservations, the Elio team only needs to know broad level information. They do not need to know the fine detail we enthusiasts want.

Elio Motors already have us------addicted.

 

[KD]

Don't forget a tape measure, please.
It is so very important for a project I'm planning.
Measurements needed in order:
1) Diameter of the round Elgin faces
2) Height and width of Elgin cluster (the black plastic filler between and around and silver part of the gauge faces)
3) the size of the dash opening for the cluster

So that's 5 measurements total.
If you only have time to get one, get the outside diameter of the round Elgin faces (big silver circles in the picture below)

View attachment 9158

Card stock is 4" wide, doing a quick ratio from the phone, dial is 3.125". Blow the picture up, you should get a better perspective.

Top speed with P5 has been 88 mph on a test track, 81 mpg has been attained. It's going back to Detroit to get the real exhaust put in place. E's are under construction, and should be finished in June. As Marshall has mentioned, it is roughly 400 lbs overweight, but the E's will be on target. I thought the shifter and clutch peddle had the right feel from what I was expecting.

We got there about an hour after they opened, and there was already quite the crowd milling about. Seemed like lots of interest, when we left about an hour later, the crowd had gotten much larger.

Can't say enough about the tour team, they are all very friendly and excited about Elio!

After my 1st visit with an Elio, my enthusiasm has not waned, and I want it more than ever!

 

[Mel]

View attachment 9219
Card stock is 4" wide, doing a quick ratio from the phone, dial is 3.125". Blow the picture up, you should get a better perspective.

It may be coincidence but 3.125" is the standard for aircraft instruments.

 

[Maurtis]

View attachment 9219
Top speed with P5 has been 88 mph on a test track, 81 mpg has been attained. It's going back to Detroit to get the real exhaust put in place. E's are under construction, and should be finished in June. As Marshall has mentioned, it is roughly 400 lbs overweight, but the E's will be on target. I thought the shifter and clutch peddle had the right feel from what I was expecting.

That is great news, it is the first I have heard of non-simulated MPG numbers. Cutting 400 lbs and a tuned exhaust and ECU fine tuning should help.

 

[pistonboy]

View attachment 9219
Card stock is 4" wide, doing a quick ratio from the phone, dial is 3.125". Blow the picture up, you should get a better perspective.

Top speed with P5 has been 88 mph on a test track, 81 mpg has been attained. It's going back to Detroit to get the real exhaust put in place. E's are under construction, and should be finished in June. As Marshall has mentioned, it is roughly 400 lbs overweight, but the E's will be on target. I thought the shifter and clutch peddle had the right feel from what I was expecting.

We got there about an hour after they opened, and there was already quite the crowd milling about. Seemed like lots of interest, when we left about an hour later, the crowd had gotten much larger.

Can't say enough about the tour team, they are all very friendly and excited about Elio!

After my 1st visit with an Elio, my enthusiasm has not waned, and I want it more than ever!

Thanks for the info.
It is interesting that " It's going back to Detroit to get the real exhaust put in place" I was told by two people on the team at Mojave, CA that the exhaust on the P5 was what will be on the final production vehicle. Perhaps they meant the outside exhaust body cover is final, but the internals are subject to change.

You said the shifter and clutch pedal had the right feel. When I pressed on the pedals with the ball of my feet, my heels would hit the floor. The pressure required for the pedals may be fine, but my problem was the clearance. I also had difficulty with the shifter.

I wish we could have seen it together, try them out, compare notes, and discuss it. They could have made changes to the pedals and shifter since I saw them at Mojave, CA last week, but I doubt it. To sporty minded people, these are important.

Thanks again for the report. These are great and needed.

 

[KD]

Thanks for the info.
It is interesting that " It's going back to Detroit to get the real exhaust put in place" I was told by two people on the team at Mojave, CA that the exhaust on the P5 was what will be on the final production vehicle. Perhaps they meant the outside exhaust body cover is final, but the internals are subject to change.

You said the shifter and clutch pedal had the right feel. When I pressed on the pedals with the ball of my feet, my heels would hit the floor. The pressure required for the pedals may be fine, but my problem was the clearance. I also had difficulty with the shifter.

I wish we could have seen it together, try them out, compare notes, and discuss it. They could have made changes to the pedals and shifter since I saw them at Mojave, CA last week, but I doubt it. To sporty minded people, these are important.

Thanks again for the report. These are great and needed.

With such a tight crowd, it is hard to get in it and spend any quality time in it to soak it all in. I did do 2 go arounds to sit in it, but I didn't realize any anomalies as far as the pedals go. Agreed they wouldn't have any time to adjust things on the road. Maybe a personal preference, or I was just to excited to be in it! It all felt good though, even the door clicks real nice. Think how many times it has been open and shut on these tours!

Speaking of the road, Jerome said they did 84,000 miles last year on the tour. Wished the autocycle had that many miles on it!

It is obvious there is plenty left to do to clean it all up, but even in this state, you can tell it will be an absolute blast to drive!

I asked about the windshield wiper also, and it was said the motor and all that is done, it's just not on P5. Yet.

We shall all meet sooner or later and then we can, and will, cuss and discuss the Elio!

I look at the Slingshot forum on occasion, and I believe our beloved Elio will go through most of the same growing pains. And the aftermarket? Oh yeah!

 

[Coss]

Thank you KD, that's a lot of good information.
I find it interesting that so many people can find little difference that they like of don't like in the same car; I guess that's true with anything; we all have our own perspective on how something is vs. how we think it should be. On a vehicle that is being created for the masses, that's a very overwhelming undertaking. My hat's off to everyone at EM; they are doing a great job of pleasing the majority.