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Boston, Ma P5

Darrellh

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Just got back from viewing the P5, and some of what I picked up comparing to the P4 which I saw previously:

Was told the P4 had a CDA of .271, the P5 is .261 and the goal is.248.
The roll, pitch, & yaw is the same as a BMW 3 series or Honda Civic
They aren't sure what they are going to offer, but the bulb size is standard, so could be switched with halogen or LED
Will be using a generic version of OBD2
Wasn't sure if the Viper steering wheel was going to be leather covered or not
Might have a plastic refill without removing, gas cap, not the one on the P5
Was told the production outside mirrors would probably be the same width, but not as tall, and that cameras instead of rear view mirrors were legal and more aerodynamic, but too expensive
E series testing to begin end of this month or beginning of July
P5 is 450-500 lbs. overweight largely due the fiberglass body which is also thicker than the production skin will be due to it being easier to work with on a prototype. Also the partial unibody is lighter & stronger
Not sure if the floor pan is going to be metal or composite
They aren't releasing the sound of the exhaust because the exhaust system hasn't been finalized, and the P5 doesn't have all the sound deadening material in it
The exhaust bulge will remain because they don't want to take away from interior space
They have driven the Elio and had no issue with side wind stability. In fact they had a race car driver in the snow video try to hang the tail out, and was only able to do it by using the parking brake
They are aiming for a more comfortable ride, but Rousch may offer a sportier version
I measured the trunk with the rear seat down & my 62" snowboard and tele skis will just fit, but my longer x/c skis will have go on right side of the seat towards the shifter
They are close to the 84 MPG and actually meet it when they block off the front grill. They may go with a partial pan under the front nose
They have most of the molds for the body panels, and the molds are designed to be changeable if they need to make changes
The engine block is going to be supplied by others, but Shreveport has all the robots needed to machine the engine there. The man who shut the plant down, is working for Elio, and knows everything about setting it back up
They are still selling excess machinery
The seats in the P5 are the same as the P4
They are going to offer some sort of lockable pin or mechanism, but not sure what yet
They have gotten the tire, stereo and other manufacturers to agree to make their products in plants they have here, or to at least assemble them here
There are going to be power pick up points built in all around the car, not just the roof rails to allow for any needs not even thought of
A bicycle rack will probably attach to the frame on the right side
They are still looking at options for a panoramic roof, probably replace the whole roof panel with glass, from the front to the trunk
Each version of the Elio just gets better
 

Gas-Powered Awesome

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Thanks for the updates, Darrell.
Will be using a generic version of OBD2.
This is good news. ScanGauge e will be useful for maximum mileage.
Was told the production outside mirrors would probably be the same width, but not as tall, and that cameras instead of rear view mirrors were legal and more aerodynamic, but too expensive.
They are wrong about that. Tesla an others petitioned NHTSA in 2014, but to-date side mirrors are still required. As proof note all Tesla vehicles including the Model 3 still have mirrors. (What else are they wrong about?)
E series testing to begin end of this month or beginning of July.
I hope so, but given their history, I'll believe it when I see 25 Elios sitting on the tarmac.
They are going to offer some sort of lockable pin or mechanism, but not sure what yet
For what? Looks like an incomplete thought.
Each version of the Elio just gets better.
Agree with you there for-sure.
 

outsydthebox

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Just got back from viewing the P5, and some of what I picked up comparing to the P4 which I saw previously:

Was told the P4 had a CDA of .271, the P5 is .261 and the goal is.248.
The roll, pitch, & yaw is the same as a BMW 3 series or Honda Civic
They aren't sure what they are going to offer, but the bulb size is standard, so could be switched with halogen or LED
Will be using a generic version of OBD2
Wasn't sure if the Viper steering wheel was going to be leather covered or not
Might have a plastic refill without removing, gas cap, not the one on the P5
Was told the production outside mirrors would probably be the same width, but not as tall, and that cameras instead of rear view mirrors were legal and more aerodynamic, but too expensive
E series testing to begin end of this month or beginning of July
P5 is 450-500 lbs. overweight largely due the fiberglass body which is also thicker than the production skin will be due to it being easier to work with on a prototype. Also the partial unibody is lighter & stronger
Not sure if the floor pan is going to be metal or composite
They aren't releasing the sound of the exhaust because the exhaust system hasn't been finalized, and the P5 doesn't have all the sound deadening material in it
The exhaust bulge will remain because they don't want to take away from interior space
They have driven the Elio and had no issue with side wind stability. In fact they had a race car driver in the snow video try to hang the tail out, and was only able to do it by using the parking brake
They are aiming for a more comfortable ride, but Rousch may offer a sportier version
I measured the trunk with the rear seat down & my 62" snowboard and tele skis will just fit, but my longer x/c skis will have go on right side of the seat towards the shifter
They are close to the 84 MPG and actually meet it when they block off the front grill. They may go with a partial pan under the front nose
They have most of the molds for the body panels, and the molds are designed to be changeable if they need to make changes
The engine block is going to be supplied by others, but Shreveport has all the robots needed to machine the engine there. The man who shut the plant down, is working for Elio, and knows everything about setting it back up
They are still selling excess machinery
The seats in the P5 are the same as the P4
They are going to offer some sort of lockable pin or mechanism, but not sure what yet
They have gotten the tire, stereo and other manufacturers to agree to make their products in plants they have here, or to at least assemble them here
There are going to be power pick up points built in all around the car, not just the roof rails to allow for any needs not even thought of
A bicycle rack will probably attach to the frame on the right side
They are still looking at options for a panoramic roof, probably replace the whole roof panel with glass, from the front to the trunk
Each version of the Elio just gets better

Thanks Darrell, Lots of good questions and answers. We all know tho, *Most answers are subject to change* :smash: But for now, much appreciated. :becky:
 

W. WIllie

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My Insight G1 also has a Cd of .25, I see no reason why the Elio can't get lower.
Any info about an aero-panel?

I thought they were using a "Chevy" steering wheel.
 
Last edited:

skygazer6033

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I know Paul and company like to say it's half the width and half the drag but realistically it's not. Although the Elio fuselage may be half the width you really can't ignore the drag of the wheel assemblies, A-arms, tierods, halfshafts, fenders, etc. All this exposed machinery has to contribute to total aerodynamic drag.
 

skygazer6033

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I believe the statement on the rear view mirrors is in error. Tesla and several other manufacturers are trying to get the regulation changed but no joy yet. Another case of technology out stripping the laws. I read somewhere an estimated 6 lbs. of drag can be saved by eliminating the rear view mirrors (not sure if that's each mirror or both) and since they could be replaced with cameras the size of a cigarette butt there is some real savings to be had.
 

WilliamH

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Excellent report.
I'll show my ignorance first... what is CDA?

My Insight G1 also has a Cd of .25, I see no reason why the Elio can't get lower.
Any info about an aero-panel?
I thought they were using a "Chevy" steering wheel.

CDA usually shown as CdA is Coefficient of Drag x frontal area.
Big difference!
Now we need to understand what the frontal area is all about. That way we may be talking apples v. apples rather than apples v. grapefruits.
 
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