The number of initial production lines will be dependent on the result of the market study. If the MS shows there isn't much interest beyond the 10k, they'll fold. If the MS shows potentially 100k first year sales, they'll design the plant to accommodate that production throughput. So yes, an...
The seat will fold down flat. Lear is manufacturing the seats; they produce very nice seats for aircraft, where using lightweight materials is the norm.
Are they referring to something like a BMW SMG (sequential manual gearbox)? SMG's are manual transmissions with an electronically controlled clutch. Those are extremely expensive transmissions (think the cost of the whole Elio - with options).
More than likely they mean a standard type 4spd...
That sounds like the opposite of the rendered drawing - in the drawing it looks like you'd have to squat down a bit to look out the windows. Hopefully this issue is addressed on the production model.
Why? I've had 25+yrs of high performance on 2 wheels. All 3 of my non-stock sport bikes would easily rocket me to 160mph (many times); I'd say 95% of my commutes to work or pleasure weekend rides would contain at least one good triple digit stretch. Both of my BMW's would easily rocket to the...
"Can’t imagine setting in the back seat for over ten hours between fill ups, not being able to see in front of me or what is going by out the window, with out raising my head. It would be nice if the next generation of Elio had the seating style of an Apache Attack Helicopter. Start with the...
That may be the 'hot ticket' for an Elio engine/trans swap down the line if a software tune won't get the IAV there. 115hp would provide a very fun and spirited ride in a 1250lb vehicle. At roughly 10.9lbs/hp, that's encroaching on the magic 60s/70s muscle car number of 10lbs/hp.
Although not required, it certainly wouldn't hurt to be cautious for the first few hundred miles. ;) The usual varying of the RPM and not running too high an RPM for a few hundred miles.
Nice design - I like! And more aerodynamic than mounting them laterally.
One of those would be great for extra storage capacity for longer trips to stow baggage and a cooler.
I shoot for the 3' side of the drift (makes sense, eh?). A Mini in a 3' drift would be marginally visible. If there's a skier out on the roads in my subdivision in those conditions, they better be quick to get out of the road or I'll have a new hood ornament.
I'm sure that's just a quick, simple and CHEAP way to configure the prototypes. It'll likely have the typical cable operated locking mechanism like most/all vehicles today. Won't need a safety latch if they keep the final production model hinged at the nose.
And if they leave it that way I'm...