The Back Seat...

[Ekh]

6 hrs in the back seat of any car would seem like an eternity. Oh the humanity!

There will not be any back seat adjustment. In the P5 it is still hard as a rock, but I understand some additional padding will be in the production model.

 

[Adamant]

There will not be any back seat adjustment. In the P5 it is still hard as a rock, but I understand some additional padding will be in the production model.

Were you able to gauge how a long drive might be for a passenger? I'm not talking about seat comfort as that's impossible to judge right now, but I mean room to stretch, lay your head back, lean from one side to the other (adjusting posture), room to put your head on a pillow on the sidewall, etc? If we can do all that, long trips should be no problem for the person in back.

 

[Coss]

I don't think rear passenger has ever been at or near the top of any list at EM; their plans for it primarily are for the driver only.
They talk more about the Elio 1 being a replacement for the commuters that go to work or school with 3 or 4 empty seats in a vehicle.
The back seat has been a "back burner" item or the extra space needed for carrying your "stuff".
The back seat might be more important in future models; like if they built a "Touring Special Edition"
So judging how the back seat will be for a passenger is going to have to be something that you have to figure out with your passenger.
I know some "back seaters" that are just as iron butt as the drivers; and others that are asking to get off after 30 minutes; it all depends on that person.

 

[TCBronson]

I agree, back seat comfort isn't really a high priority for a commuter car that is really designed for one. But it is nice that is was designed to have the ability to carry a passenger on occasion when needed.

 

[floydv]

I agree, back seat comfort isn't really a high priority for a commuter car that is really designed for one. But it is nice that is was designed to have the ability to carry a passenger on occasion when needed.

On a snowy day, that passenger is also known as "ballast."

 

[W. WIllie]

Also for "Hypermilers" it is known as "excess baggage".

 

[RUCRAYZE]

Also for "Hypermilers" it is known as "excess baggage".

seems counter-intuitive considering all the hot air my ex used to produce

 

[floydv]

seems counter-intuitive considering all the hot air my ex used to produce

Depends on the direction said hot air was expelled toward. If from a passenger beside the driver, the hot air would serve to provide a force perpendicular to the direction of intended travel, thereby causing vehicle stability concerns (assuming open side windows). If, however, the hot air were from the back seat directed toward the driver, the hot air would provide a force directly opposite and counter to the direction of intended travel, thereby causing increased drag.

The takeaway for Elio drivers? When traveling with an excessively talkative passenger, attach a parabolic or hemispherical dish to the back of the driver's seat and drive with the rear hatch wide open. Although the open hatch will interfere somewhat with the smooth airstream over the car, this increased drag will be far outweighed by the added thrust the pasenger's hot air would provide when properly redirected.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

Depends on the direction said hot air was expelled toward. If from a passenger beside the driver, the hot air would serve to provide a force perpendicular to the direction of intended travel, thereby causing vehicle stability concerns. If, however, the hot air were from the back seat directed toward the driver, the hot air would provide a force directly opposite and counter to the direction of intended travel, thereby causing drag.

The takeaway for Elio drivers? When traveling with an excessively talkative passenger, attach a parabolic or hemispherical dish to the back of the driver's seat and drive with the rear hatch wide open. Although the open hatch will interfere somewhat with the smooth airstream over the car, this increased drag will be far outweighed by the added thrust the pasenger's hot air would provide when properly redirected.

sweet

 

[Sethodine]

...Didn't see a cup holder or power outlet, but there would be room for both in the rear (hope Elio is listening!)

I'm 99% sure I read somewhere that there was plans for both 12v power AND a cup holder for the back seat. Also, I plan on splitting a pair of something like these with my brother.