P30 ?

[TCBronson]

Anybody have a guess why EM is planning to build up to P30 prototypes? Are some of those for crash testing maybe? Additional vehicles to be used to promote Elio motors? Additional styling concepts?

 

[Hotscoots]

I think all of the above . Comprehensive crash tests require at least 10 vehicles . The others may provide internal testing results in real world scenarios . And of course some will be used to promote the vehicle .

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

From the press release:

The P5 is the first in a series of 26 prototypes, codenamed P5 through P30 that will be developed for a variety of testing and validation purposes.

http://www.elioowners.com/threads/6...ill-include-iav-engine-and-aisin-tranny.6189/

That's all we know.

 

[Johnny Acree]

And I was wondering, will each P# be a new unit? You know, the P3 is reworked P2
So, they build the P5, do some testing, and make some changes, or modify the P5. Is it now a P6?

 

[Devilstower]

Is there any sign that the later numbers in this series will actually be test builds rather than prototypes?

 

[Johnny Acree]

As I understand it, the first 10 - 12 units will be for engineering. Build, test, modify, repeat
then 10 - 12 will be built for crash test. These will not be official. just for EM to confirm that the simulations are correct.

 

[Devilstower]

I'm just wondering if this series is going to attempt to move away from crafting them one at a time in a specialty shop, to putting together a limited version of "the line" and testing the ability to assemble from components.

 

[Jim H]

Anybody have a guess why EM is planning to build up to P30 prototypes? Are some of those for crash testing maybe? Additional vehicles to be used to promote Elio motors? Additional styling concepts?

As I recall some will be for crash testing and others for try and drives for buyers.

 

[Peter-Dave]

If remember from over a year ago something about the first 25 cars (or some other such number) off the assembly line would be reserved for such purpose.
I think this is just shifting to a not yet fully automated manufacturing process before finalizing the assembling line.

 

[Devilstower]

Yes, that's what I was getting at. Are these all hand-tooled prototypes, or does this take us into "first off the line" cars produced in LA (not that L.A., the other one)?