New Engine Unveiling And Testing

[Norahsbed]

Has anyone heard anything about how the new engine is testing? I keep searching online. I have not found anything yet. Honestly, I still have reservations that 84 mpg (highway) is possible from an engine that doesn't use any newer technologies like turbo. Based on other vehicles of similar weight and similar designed aspirated engines - that mpg is not possible. For example;

Tata Nano
weight: 1350lbs, Engine: 624cc / 2 cylinder / gasoline, and it gets 62 mpg on the highway.

Keep in mind the Tata Nano engine would not pass US EPA standards. If all the added emission equipment is connected to that engine I doubt 62 mpg is possible. I understand that Elio's biggest argument is the body design cuts the air at higher speeds. Elio is not the first design with 2 wheels in the front and one in the back. Check out www.3wheelers.com they have a whole data base of them for the last 125 years. To me, the Fiat Twinair 900cc engine seems the most promising to reach the 84 goal. Search for International Engine of the Year for more on that. Let me know what you think. -Joe K.

First Post, sorry.

Hey Mr. Kidd if I missed welcoming you aboard before, I do so now! Welcome to the Elio family! It's a pity the Tata Nano is not being produced with lower emissions, as India is a country that needs to raise their standards to help reduce their air pollution problem within the cities. Then again the idea behind the vehicle is to get some of the motorcycles with 3-5 passengers off the road and offer a safer mode of transportation to families at a reasonable cost.

 

[Jim H]

Has anyone heard anything about how the new engine is testing? I keep searching online. I have not found anything yet. Honestly, I still have reservations that 84 mpg (highway) is possible from an engine that doesn't use any newer technologies like turbo. Based on other vehicles of similar weight and similar designed aspirated engines - that mpg is not possible. For example;

Tata Nano
weight: 1350lbs, Engine: 624cc / 2 cylinder / gasoline, and it gets 62 mpg on the highway.

Keep in mind the Tata Nano engine would not pass US EPA standards. If all the added emission equipment is connected to that engine I doubt 62 mpg is possible. I understand that Elio's biggest argument is the body design cuts the air at higher speeds. Elio is not the first design with 2 wheels in the front and one in the back. Check out www.3wheelers.com they have a whole data base of them for the last 125 years. To me, the Fiat Twinair 900cc engine seems the most promising to reach the 84 goal. Search for International Engine of the Year for more on that. Let me know what you think. -Joe K.

Joseph, Welcome to the forum, repository of information on the Elio. To answer your specific question there has not been any release of information on engine testing. I guess according to your views it could be "no news is good news" or conversely "they don't want to acknowledge any potential problem issues". Hopefully, around the end of January we will hear something about the progress. IAV and Elio have kept all the information confidential so far. We try to keep the forum informative and entertaining and look forward to your questions, comments and opinions. Enjoy the Elio experience and the journey with your new friends on the forum.

 

[Joseph Kidd]

Craig is mean. He's got no sympathy for newbies.

Welcome to the forums, Joseph.

Turbo is "new" technology? Not exactly...

Tata Nano is not very aerodynamic, and was built mainly to be ultra-cheap, not efficient. I think the Elio will better balance cost and economy, and will of-course be much more aerodynamic.

I meant using a turbo as a gas saver as opposed for just more power. Thanks for the good reply.

 

[Joseph Kidd]

I've posted the following before but after a few days it can get to where it may not be easy to find info .... hope this helps :

during a conversation Dec 6th with Jerome Vassallo, VP of Sales at the Elio exhibit on 12-6-14 in Charlotte, NC I learned a great deal about the extensive nature of the testing that the IAV Elio engine is undergoing .... from beginning mid November, the process will take several months .... as a loose outline of the process, after it was first assembled, spun tested, disassembled, measured, and reassembled, they pressure it with air and check for leaks .... after each of these steps it will be disassembled sufficiently to X-ray the components and meticulously take measurements .... next they move to installing fluids, testing, disassemble to X-ray and take measurements .... next the motor will be fired and the whole process is repeated .... as a side note, at times the motor will be connected to two computers .... one will show the computer projections and one will show the actual performance .... the motor will be subjected to a range of test on the dyno that are needed to determine how it will perform in simulations of city driving, long interstate cruises, wide open throttle .... after completing all of that testing they will eventually begin removing oil to the point the engine will fail .... this motor will never see service in an Elio .... reports will come when they come but for folks wanting frequent updates, it ain't gonna happen .... Paul Elio is actively working/monitoring the entire process

Jim

Thanks much Jim. This is the stuff I was looking for!

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

I meant using a turbo as a gas saver as opposed for just more power. Thanks for the good reply.

That's old too. Remember the Chrysler K-cars circa 1981? They used tiny turbos to get better economy while trying to not be completely gutless. The 1980's was really the heyday of turbos in broad use, though unfortunately the engine management wasn't far enough along yet. This current revival will be something now that we have much better computers to design and control the turbos.

 

[JEBar]

Thanks much Jim. This is the stuff I was looking for!

happy to be able to provide the info .... I can understand the uncertainty that comes when folks can't find info on something they are very interested in

Jim

 

[HonestTex]

Dyno testing Jan 28-29th.. We'll see soon enough

 

[Marco]

February 6 is, it seems, the day we get to see the engine run... http://www.technologytell.com/in-car-tech/11839/elio-motors-debut-engine-february-6/

 

[JEBar]

February 6 is, it seems, the day we get to see the engine run... http://www.technologytell.com/in-car-tech/11839/elio-motors-debut-engine-february-6/

hopefully a video will be uploaded to the company website or to YouTube

 

[InTheKnow]

A couple comments. The fuel economy for the engine is only one part of the equations for fuel economy. Weight and Areo play a huge part of the fuel economy calculation.

Second, the engine has not ran yet. It will soon.