The H. O. Engine We Need For The Elio And Its A Ford...

[Dustoff]

Ekh,
It seems that EM has addressed the costs of systems and materials and I don't believe there is any (street legal) vehicle out there with only one operable side window. Please inform me of one.
I "sincerely" apologize for hurting your feelings.

 

[Lil4X]

As currently conceived, the Elio is going to offer a lot of car for the money. Let's try to remember it's not a bus, truck, or luxury car. It is being designed as an economical commuter. That means it's going to have only sufficient room for a driver and an occasional passenger. By balancing the need for some minimal level of accelerative performance so it isn't mowed down on a freeway entrance ramp with the ability to return an excellent level of fuel economy, in "stock" form at least, it will serve the needs of those drones who plod up and down the freeways of our cities on the daily grind to and from our places of employment - and do so with safety.

Any vehicle is a collection of compromises. It's not that the Elio will be slow and boring, but it is designed around a different set of parameters. Light weight is going to solve a lot of performance issues. Targeted at 1200 lbs, even a small engine can deliver performance that will keep it from becoming a rolling chicane. At this low weight, it should be relatively "flingable", making it fun to drive on a winding road. A few minor tweaks to the engine could produce some performance gains, but at the cost of losing that nickle-squeezing fuel economy. Some basic hot-rod tricks, improving air and exhaust flow just happen to be consistent with efficiency, but a less conservative fuel map, maybe a low-pressure turbo could make a real difference in the performance category. Of course, once you start down this road, clutch, transmission, driveline, even the suspension will have to be revisited to handle the additional horsepressure. All the while you are cutting into economy and reliability . . . you pay for your thrills.

It reminds me of the kid on another forum who having inherited his mom's luxury SUV, complained about its handling and lack of power. It's a common complaint among 17 year olds who inherit mom's 2 year old luxomobile and discover it's being left in the weeds by another high-schooler's Corvette. Dang! shoulda bought that new Ferrari when I had a chance! Several of us drew up the plans to fix Mom's RX, beginning with a mid-ship mounted big-block with optional blower, a Lenco air-shifter operating the sequential transmission through a 9-bolt rear end. A 5" drop, and scrapping those all-terrain tires for a set of slicks all 'round would complete the mods to give him a chance at his dream. Otherwise sell Mom's car and buy a Focus SVT . . . or two, preferably in different colors.

 

[pj rogers]

Ok, watch this video on you tube......Hyundai kappa 1.0. It is the engine Elio Motors probably could have had in 2012.

 

[outsydthebox]

Once again, Where is your proof?

 

[pj rogers]

Did you watch the video, one engine several applications and was available before 2012. Now, between the years of 2010, and 2012..Mr. Elio, according to his statements had 55 million dollars. He also said it would be about 2.5 million dollars to make 18 prototypes. He could have easily bought the engines (or similar ones) and made the finished prototypes. Think about it 18,complete elios out there running around the country.
Better yet, put one in the top say 12 airports in the country in an elio display. Thousands of people walking by the elios every day and night and reading the information boards.. Reserve yours today!..but here is the killer..the elio would be $9999 with a/c, auto, cruise, and tinted glass..and 80 mpg, cheaper than than any vehicle in America. Heck, you really would not have to put a motor in the airport ones.
Send the inquiries a dvd of one tearing around the neighborhood or the track..money would pour in. Investors flying would walk right by one and see the people reading the boards and say to themselves, got to check this company out.
Now that would be the big picture for elio motors.

 

[ArthurKent]

Latest word that ISN'T speculation: the Elio will have a forced induction option. End of story.