Future Elio Models

[Sethodine]

And heaven help you the day your battery goes flat overnight and the hatch is closed! Life would get interesting at a toll booth, since the windows don't open. Horns blasting as the line builds up behind you ...

From what I understand, most people actually had gas struts to assist a manual opening. The electric opening system seen here was more rare.

 

[outsydthebox]

I would like to eventually see a "3 + 3"...three wheels + 3 seats. Or would it be a "2+1?" normal car width up front with enclosed wheels & side by side front seating and "room for one" in the back. A little longer wheel base and a definite tear-drop shape. Possibly a turbo to make up for the extra weight.

 

[Coss]

I would like to eventually see a "3 + 3"...three wheels + 3 seats. Or would it be a "2+1?" normal car width up front with enclosed wheels & side by side front seating and "room for one" in the back. A little longer wheel base and a definite tear-drop shape. Possibly a turbo to make up for the extra weight.

1 in front; 2 in the rear facing each other.
Or you could flip the middle seat over and just make it 3 in a row.

 

[outsydthebox]

1 in front; 2 in the rear facing each other.
Or you could flip the middle seat over and just make it 3 in a row.

I can visualize that. Or, how about the front passenger seat could flip around to face the rear. Then the two passengers could be looking at each other while texting! Or, a rear facing baby seat could be used up front.

 

[slinches]

A stretch Eliolimo? Brilliant!

Unfortunately, to keep the handling safe, the front track would likely need to be wider than a humvee.

 

[AriLea]

A picture always helps a discussion. Some alternative layouts. Every option has it's tradeoffs. Side by side (Sociable) is always near to the standard sedan width. The aero envelope must be considered both at the shoulders and at head height. Door placement is highly affected by these. Non-drivers are allowed variations of interruptions to their foot and leg space. But passenger seats may also be placed at an angle, however, crash dynamics are affected.

Tandom, Single, Reversed , L&C (=staggered)

IMHO, C is the most interesting as a upgrade model to a Year1 Elio.

 

[Sethodine]

A picture always helps a discussion. Some alternative layouts. Every option has it's tradeoffs. Side by side (Sociable) is always near to the standard sedan width. The aero envelope must be considered both at the shoulders and at head height. Door placement is highly affected by these. Non-drivers are allowed variations of interruptions to their foot and leg space. But passenger seats may also be placed at an angle, however, crash dynamics are affected.
View attachment 7794
Tandom, Single, Reversed , L&C (=staggered)

IMHO, C is the most interesting as a upgrade model to a Year1 Elio.

What about a 4-seat, double-decker Elio?

 

[HonestTex]

What about a 4-seat, double-decker Elio?

It would blow over in a stiff wind...

 

[AriLea]

It would blow over in a stiff wind...

NP, he meant that for a six wheel safari SUV, . Then Elio could sell those with the cash a luxury trekker paired with an Elio then claim the whole package at 45mpg for Dot/Carbon credit purposes. (include a Elio-tow bar for extended camping trips)

 

[AriLea]

Jokes aside, I think the Elio plan for longevity is to work both toward world distribution and to get the price down to $6800 (and MPG up). This does all of the following;
1) The most good for the most people world-wide
2) Discourages competitors
3) Pumps the volume up making it easier to keep costs-per-unit down, and possibly raise the profit margin a tiny bit..

Focusing on that could easily consume all of Elio Motors attention, and the suppliers, for a number of years.