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Naias 2017

Cjr

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That's it? Did you get to set in it? Impressions?
Although it is the latest Engineering prototype, it looks pretty much like the one before it. I sat in the E1c. It has new bones (the frame) but the same look to its skin except for the color. That said, I noticed a few improvements. The conventional instruments were easier to read. The front seat feels like it has more legroom and that is important because I have long legs (36 in inseam). Finally, I was impressed with how much room there is around the engine because the engineers have located the AC compressor under the engine and that moves most of the hoses below and out of the way. For the show, there is a golf bag in the back and it fits for you golfers out there. The latest frame on display also inspires great confidence in the strength of the Elio body. Safety is important.
 

Bikebrains

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Although it is the latest Engineering prototype, it looks pretty much like the one before it. I sat in the E1c. It has new bones (the frame) but the same look to its skin except for the color. That said, I noticed a few improvements. The conventional instruments were easier to read. The front seat feels like it has more legroom and that is important because I have long legs (36 in inseam). Finally, I was impressed with how much room there is around the engine because the engineers have located the AC compressor under the engine and that moves most of the hoses below and out of the way. For the show, there is a golf bag in the back and it fits for you golfers out there. The latest frame on display also inspires great confidence in the strength of the Elio body. Safety is important.
"The front seat feels like it has more legroom" Was the steering wheel circular or was the bottom of the steering wheel "squared off"? When horizontal, the "squared off" bottom of the steering wheel should give more leg room.
 

booboo

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"The front seat feels like it has more legroom" Was the steering wheel circular or was the bottom of the steering wheel "squared off"? When horizontal, the "squared off" bottom of the steering wheel should give more leg room.
Agreed, really really really like the new wheel. The few extra millimeters clearance could be noticeable to anyone after getting in and out many times.
 
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raptor213

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So I visited the Elio Motors booth last night and have a few observations and takeaways to share.

First, as you approach their display setup from the east (where most of the rest of the concourse displays are), there's a giant banner of a new minivan and the words "Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, 84 MPGe" and some sales punch line. The advertisement's placement can't be purely coincidental given it's just steps away from the Elio display area and figuratively takes aim at Elio's flagship fuel economy target. My first impression was that the 'Big 3' Detroit-area automakers may actually be more concerned by the Elio than any of us as observers previously estimated or predicted. If they are taking Elio seriously as a potential industry contender, then that's reassuring and encouraging about Elio's future marketability, especially if Fiat Chrysler America feels threatened enough to place subliminal attack ads at NAIAS.

Moving on to Elio-centric news. I'd like to commend Jermaine from the Elio Tour Team for remembering my name. He and I spoke as nauseum at NAIAS 2016 twelve months ago in the presence of the P5, and a year later he recognized me standing near the E1c and shook my hand saying, "Mark, right? It's good to see you again!" I have to say I was blown away and totally impressed by his memory and business acumen.

Most everyone on this site is already familiar with most of the 'news' stemming from the E1c unveiling at the L.A. Auto Show -- updated Roush-tuned suspension geometry, re-shaped front fender enclosures, standard instrument cluster, ironic presence of "ECO" push button that will only be present on automatic transmission models despite E1c sporting the manual transmission, what looks to be a Power/On/Standby button that many optimistically believed the be for an electronic Engine Start push button turned out to just be an on/off toggle for headlights, unofficial word from the Tour Team confirming that the rocker panel shroud for the exhaust should be disappearing as engineers determine how to instead route the plumbing through/underneath the unibody chassis, unofficial word from the Tour Team that the gas tank filler door will be relocating to the 'driver' side for convenience, etc.

From my own experience talking with both Jermaine and Rudy on the Tour Team, I'll start by saying that I walked away with a much better understanding of and appreciation for the E-series development process. There is much angst, frustration, wariness, skepticism, and cynicism from existing reservationists on various forums and FB pages about the delays and missed milestones to date. I voiced my own concerns, and they each politely explained that of the three E-Series vehicles publicly unveiled thus far, they are all different with their own changes in design philosophies apparent and unique to each vehicle. No two are alike so far, and any uninformed argument that the 23 E-series vehicles are simply cookie-cutter replicas of one another and ought to be churned out as quickly as possible is simply rubbish. Case in point - that black painted unibody frame/chassis that has been on display perched atop a dolly nearby to the E1c is already outdated and doesn't reflect certain structural design changes and modifications already made for forthcoming E-series vehicles. The process is not a matter of duplicity and creating 23 identical mirror images of one another, but rather a continuation of the P-series process, with each successive vehicle revealing more and more of the product's evolution, but on a much more refined scale.

All of that being said, I can say that the LED headlights featured on the E1c are sweet, but will not be stock features on a base price Elio. Jermaine said that a lot of work has been and continues to be done behind the scenes with suppliers for options/upgrades, and an all-around LED exterior lighting package is an idea they envision marketing.

He said that, like how the cruise control option played out, they are investigating every alternative in an effort to include interior carpeting as a base model amenity at no additional cost. The obstacle right now is they can source it from South Korea at a cheap price or from the USA at a more expensive cost, and both are at odds with the company's 4 Must Haves. So stay tuned with how that plays out.

The biggest bombshell I can announce that I haven't read anywhere else involves the placement of the vehicle battery. Many observers have noted the most recent position from engine compartment photos of the E1c, located behind the engine and wedged underneath the windshield wiper assembly with what appears to be highly restrictive access for routine maintenance. It seems Elio has heeded concerns over that, and the most likely solution going forward is to place the battery underneath the floor of the trunk below a 'trap door' if you will, much like how most spare tires are stored below the trunk floor of most passenger cars. Accordingly, there should be no loss in cubic volume of storage space in the trunk area. When asked whether this design change would result in a re-engineering of the single rear swing arm architecture or the diameter of the rear wheel changing in order to accommodate the new battery position, Rudy and Jermaine couldn't/wouldn't disclose any finer details. If this design change does come to light in subsequent E-series vehicles, I would be keen to observe what components shuffle or relocate inside the engine compartment. Personally, my first thought was that there would be absolutely no question that a cold air intake with a heat shield and an appropriately sized turbocharger with necessary plumbing and an intercooler would fit just fine.

Hopefully more of our members share what they gleaned from the show, as it may be a while before the next public event. Since the E1c is conveniently in Metro Detroit already, its presence has already been requested for undisclosed engineering work with Elio and affiliate suppliers in the area over the coming weeks.
 

JEBar

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excellent report, thanks for bringing it to the forum .... how would you describe your impression drawn from your time spent with the tour team as to the program's development ..?
 

Coss

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And you said the frame they have on display is already outdated; and in photo's they have shown 3 additional frames; what happens to those? Are they simply scrapped? Or can they be reworked to match the current frame?
 

xtspode

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And you said the frame they have on display is already outdated; and in photo's they have shown 3 additional frames; what happens to those? Are they simply scrapped? Or can they be reworked to match the current frame?

Now that is some encouraging news. Thanks Mark.
 
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