I'm surprised there's so little discussion about this.. The last Tech Talk email ("v23") talked about cylinder head design (ports, valves, etc), but doesn't mention anything about lean burn. They do mention "line-of-sight 'tumble ports,'" which seem to be designed to produce a similar effect to Honda's VTEC-E (the other half of this puzzle).
But is there any information about lean burn capabilities mentioned anywhere by Elio Motors? Is lean burn no longer necessary/relevant because of the engine's design or other new technologies? Would it simply be too expensive to implement?
Lean burn seems like such a critical technology for achieving anything over 75mpg in my Honda Insight. I can get 90mpg every day if I put in a little effort (okay, a lot of effort).
It's difficult to stay in lean burn for extended periods of time due to lack of power, but in a smaller, lighter, more aerodynamic car like the Elio, it would surely be easier to maintain lean burn conditions. If I can break 90mpg so easily in the Insight (beyond that is very difficult for sustained lengths of time at reasonable speeds), it seems like the Elio would benefit even more so.
This is my first post, and obviously I'm coming in here with very little prior knowledge about the Elio, but I'm interested in hearing your opinions and any official information about this.
More information on lean burn / VTEC-E in the Insight:
http://www.insightcentral.net/encyclopedia/enlaf.html
But is there any information about lean burn capabilities mentioned anywhere by Elio Motors? Is lean burn no longer necessary/relevant because of the engine's design or other new technologies? Would it simply be too expensive to implement?
Lean burn seems like such a critical technology for achieving anything over 75mpg in my Honda Insight. I can get 90mpg every day if I put in a little effort (okay, a lot of effort).
It's difficult to stay in lean burn for extended periods of time due to lack of power, but in a smaller, lighter, more aerodynamic car like the Elio, it would surely be easier to maintain lean burn conditions. If I can break 90mpg so easily in the Insight (beyond that is very difficult for sustained lengths of time at reasonable speeds), it seems like the Elio would benefit even more so.
This is my first post, and obviously I'm coming in here with very little prior knowledge about the Elio, but I'm interested in hearing your opinions and any official information about this.
More information on lean burn / VTEC-E in the Insight:
http://www.insightcentral.net/encyclopedia/enlaf.html