This is history repeating itself. At least I get to see the ELIO up close and personal- even get to sit on it too! For what it's worth, Mark never promised anything, never quoted how much is his BEX or when it'll be completed.
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My Elio Alternate Project Is Underway.
- Thread starter Mark BEX
- Start date
krabblegg
Elio Fan
- Joined
- May 21, 2014
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 29
Why would Mark go through all that designing and laser cutting of materials and then just give, doesn't make sense. IMO, it is 1 0f 2 scenarios. Either he is truly under an NDA or the CCP realized what he was doing and that it would benefit American citizens and they surely don't want that. Or it could be something completely different, who knows. Have a nice 4th of July Holiday.
Ace
Elio Addict
The last thing I saw on Facebook was that someone was in touch with Mark and that he had "diverted to another project" that might benefit the Mongrel project in some way down the road.
His personal Facebook page has been updated within the last couple of weeks, so it appears that he's active and around, but for some reason has decided not to come here and tell us the Mongrel is on hold.
His personal Facebook page has been updated within the last couple of weeks, so it appears that he's active and around, but for some reason has decided not to come here and tell us the Mongrel is on hold.
I haven’t seen a Mongrel Prototype. After following new startups like Elio and Arcimoto For years, it would take BEX 5-10 years to get a fully certified production model to market: a fleet of test vehicles, certification, funding, reliable source of parts suppliers both off the shelf and custom body panels, doors. windows, manufacturing plant, employees, a sales model, and a network of service and parts suppliers.
Sonoran Sam
Elio Addict
I cannot personally attest to the validity of the info below .... it comes from a source who is a complete stranger to me .... on the other hand, I have no reason to not believe it ....
I heard from Mark today.
He got sidelined this year by logistics challenges and tariff whiplash…the difference between a vehicle targeted around $10K and one that might now cost $25K is a deal breaker for most of us.
So he diverted to a parallel project that will help work through the logistics issues and tariff work arounds, while providing some funds for the Mongrel project.
He is committed to bringing Mongrels to us. Hang in there. I’m still looking forward to leading the “Mongrels Across America” caravan!
I also have no clue as to why Mark would not come here and post this info himself
Jim
I heard from Mark today.
He got sidelined this year by logistics challenges and tariff whiplash…the difference between a vehicle targeted around $10K and one that might now cost $25K is a deal breaker for most of us.
So he diverted to a parallel project that will help work through the logistics issues and tariff work arounds, while providing some funds for the Mongrel project.
He is committed to bringing Mongrels to us. Hang in there. I’m still looking forward to leading the “Mongrels Across America” caravan!
I also have no clue as to why Mark would not come here and post this info himself
Jim
dbacksfan81
Elio Aficionado
Most kit cars are built around a donor or common engine and drivetrain. AC Cobra replicas have the frame built around a V8 engine so it has a universal mounting point and a list of motor mounts to fit Ford, GM or Chrylser V8's. They have two different frames so you can choose an IRS or solid rear axle. They have common size openings for gauges so most every gauge assembly fits. Lighting is based on off the shelf parts. They have a common style pedal assembly based off of the Ford Fox body platform since there are plenty of OE and aftermarket kits for Mustangs, the most common donor for the kit.
Factory Five also has a kit car that is based off of a Subaru drivetrain, mainly the WRX, and accessories with off the shelf parts from other cars for lighting.
For something like the BEX, a FWD three wheeler, he would still have to build the frame to accommodate a particular engine/transaxle assembly as well as all gas/brake/clutch pedal assemblies as well as steering and suspension mounting points and brakes and brake lines.
The most cost effective body would be fiberglass but then he would still have to build it around windows from donor vehicles along with their lift mechanism or have someone make the and the windshield which would probably have to meet US standards. A metal body would either require, I think, a licensing agreement with a car manufacturer or designing his own tooling and then someway to produce it. If he went the route of his own metal or fiberglass body there is still all the designing required for functional doors and hood mounting points.
It would require lots of testing to find the right size shocks or struts for the suspension with the right ratings for load, length, compression and rebound along with springs with the right stiffness and compression ratings. Too soft and it will wallow around, too stiff and it will ride like a buck board. The steering rack will need the right ratio that it's not too fast or too slow especially in an emergency avoidance maneuver. That also gets into getting the front suspension geometry right with adjustable caster/camber/toe adjustments to keep the front end aligned properly.
Then there is still designing safe/secure seating position and mounting, seat belt mounting points and finding belts that fit the application, and creature comfort like A/C, heat and ventilation system.
Even with off the shelf parts there is still a big issue of finding what works
It all boils down to funding, funding, funding. I can only surmise he didn't have it. Personally I have given up on 3wheelers. It maybe cute, don't take much space to park but it's the safety in numbers.....4 wheels are better than 3. I've seen the Polaris Slingshot up close with it's wide stance and single wide rear wheel but I won't dare drive it in the freeway. Has anybody seen it in a slalom test??? Then think of the ELIO or Mark's Bex which is much narrower.
4wheelin, I’ve given up on a fully enclosed 3 wheeler too. It’s a motorcycle. However, I’m hoping the risen from the dead Lit Motors C-1-fully enclosed 2 wheeler makes it to production. I had a $500 fully refunded deposit on the C-1 years ago.
Please note my post about the 'Line' model vehicle at
www.facteurdix.com
Link in forum
FacteurDix | Energy Performance Record
FacteurDix est une start-up industrielle normande qui vise le développement du véhicule homologué le plus efficace en énergie.
www.facteurdix.com