Hmm, lowering the seat. It is of course the simplest solution, thus keeping with the Elio ethos but it's not going to make my wife happy. She has a distinct dislike and almost fear of cars too low to the ground or even the perception of being too low to the ground. My solution? Don't tell her, she'll eventually notice but it'll be too late by that point! She may even get used to it... Or I could be the permanent passenger!
If Texas Elio is honestly trying to wrap a traditional automotive engineers mind around the concept of how Paul E is approaching car production and failing, that's something I can live with. If he/she (but really, we all know it's "he") is just being a troll well, his name is going in my book, now strike a line through it! (watch John Ford's "The Quite Man")
I find it fascinating that members posting comments on this forum that question Paul Elio's abilty to bring a new vehicle concept to market are branded as trolls...but that's not an issue...I promise you...I've been called worse...LOL
As I study the Elio story...I have taken the time & effort to research every article that relates to Elio Motors that I can locate via the internet...including reviewing the various projects (and patents) that ESG engineering has undertaken...
My research conclude that Elio Motors can not truly be differentiated from any other automobile manufacturer...Elio is involved with same standardized component suppliers in the industry...and they'll have to meet the same government standards if they chose to adhere to the saftey goals that Mr Elio has laid out to his customers...and of course...the Elio business model of utilizing lean manufacturing principles is certainly not a new concept...
The automotive industry is a government regulated industry...the vehicle concepts may differ...but the Federal standards force a large measure of conformity...consumer's are well served by the stringent standards...vehicle's have become safer...more energy efficient...with increased reliability...
Additionally...there seem to be a lot of confusion as to the transportation category that the Elio Vehicle is being designed for...
Many on this forum see the Elio as an alternative to their motorcycle...while others view the Elio as an alternative to a traditional 4 wheel automobile...
My opinion is that Mr Elio has promised his customers a vehicle that meets automobile saftey standards...so the engineering goals are well beyond the complexity of a motorcycle...
At the end of the day...I'm unconvinced that the Elio Vehicle as it's current designed... will ever pass any real world saftey validation testing...and as a result...a full redesign of the Elio concept will result...assuming there's funding avaible to contuine this project...
2015 will be the pivotal year for the Elio story...