Elio Motors - $6800 - 84 MPG

[raven1231]

Wait I thought it was a twin? I can't tell the difference. Is that the new face lift?

[Bykov]

I'm thinking of picking one up. At that price point, why not? I was thinking prius as a winter commuter but this has an optional standard gearbox. Keep the salt off of my twin. I won't be pre-ordering though. I need that proof of concept. Not concerned with the safety of the thing either.

[funwheeldrive]

Don't hold your breath.

[cdrazic93]

...$6800 and 84 mpg. that sounds like a challenge to me. Am I allowed to drop a deisel into a miata to try and get to that 84 mpg? lol

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

...$6800 and 84 mpg. that sounds like a challenge to me. Am I allowed to drop a deisel into a miata to try and get to that 84 mpg? lol

Won't happen at highway speeds unless you drastically improve the Miata's aerodynamics. The Elio is extremely streamlined and narrow. A Prius runs its engine at peak efficiency on the freeway and still can't hit 84mpg cruise, and it has lower drag than a Miata.

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Won't happen at highway speeds unless you drastically improve the Miata's aerodynamics. The Elio is extremely streamlined and narrow. A Prius runs its engine at peak efficiency on the freeway and still can't hit 84mpg cruise, and it has lower drag than a Miata.

could do a CFD analysis and block out any turbluent zones with bondo. Lower windshield, remove the seat adjuster for a lower seat.. god this already sounds like a franken car hahaha

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

could do a CFD analysis and block out any turbluent zones with bondo god this already sounds like a franken car hahaha

My old MR2 was about the same size as a Miata and I ran some numbers at some point, if you get the coefficient of drag down to what the Prius is, you should be able to hit 84mpg with super tall gearing and a diesel (which is sort of cheating because one gallon of diesel produces more heat than 1 gallon of gasoline).

Basically you need a fastback to fill in the area over the trunk, but the passenger cabin is very far rearward on a Miata so there's not a lot to work with at the stock length. A grill block, smooth underbody, wheel covers, and massive wheel fairings should buy you a little more, but you might need to add a boat-tail extension to hit that target.

For reference, a full boattailed Civic on Ecomodder with all the mods I mentioned plus fully covered wheel wells gets comparable highway mpg to the Elio, cutting drag by ~40% from stock.

[NARFALICIOUS]

Service and Warranty provided by Pep Boys?

Well that's going to be the downfall.

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

For reference, a full boattailed Civic on Ecomodder with all the mods I mentioned plus fully covered wheel wells gets comparable highway mpg to the Elio, cutting drag by ~40% from stock.

while approaching the limit of the aesthetics, so it looks like the Elio...lol

[Summerwolf]

I'd buy one as a beater....to my beater.... As long as it can do highway speeds, has AC and heat, and has a radio that's all I need to get back and forth to work.

[Bykov]

Exactly my reasoning. I am sure it will do highway speeds just fine as the engine is as "impressive" as the Prius engine but it has a lot less weight.


The first week I had my FR-S I had an incident where I parked in the parking lot at my squadron and I was there early. I was sitting there replying to my text when someone else parked next to me. They got out and opened their rear door to get their backpack.... right into my car. I was in it! They closed their door and walked away LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. I was losing my s*** in my car and when I got out I went to inspect the damage. Their door hit my rear window which was undamaged while their door had a little warp in it where it made contact. From there on out I started parking far way and taking a few minute walk to get to work. With this little thing I wouldn't care and be able to park near the front.


I'd probably install heated seats since that's about 2lb for the module and $40. I think it will make a great beater.

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

I'd buy one as a beater....to my beater.... As long as it can do highway speeds, has AC and heat, and has a radio that's all I need to get back and forth to work.

[fumanchu1]

Originally Posted by BRZPDX

Why buy this when there is the Slingshot.

Also you'd have to shoot me in the head for my brain power to be low enough for me to buy anything made by polaris... pieces of shit they are (except back in the two stroke days but I mean that's a while ago)

[Summerwolf]

Originally Posted by Bykov

Exactly my reasoning. I am sure it will do highway speeds just fine as the engine is as "impressive" as the Prius engine but it has a lot less weight.


The first week I had my FR-S I had an incident where I parked in the parking lot at my squadron and I was there early. I was sitting there replying to my text when someone else parked next to me. They got out and opened their rear door to get their backpack.... right into my car. I was in it! They closed their door and walked away LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. I was losing my s*** in my car and when I got out I went to inspect the damage. Their door hit my rear window which was undamaged while their door had a little warp in it where it made contact. From there on out I started parking far way and taking a few minute walk to get to work. With this little thing I wouldn't care and be able to park near the front.


I'd probably install heated seats since that's about 2lb for the module and $40. I think it will make a great beater.

I had a lt. Col open her car door in to my camaro ss one day while we were walking out from work. I was a few steps behind her and my whole car rocked. I ran up and said "maam you just opened your door in to my car!" She responded with.... get this... "i thought you had a different car." I do have another car.... but this is mine as well. She said sorry i didnt know it was yours, got in her car and left. No damage.... but i was like... what difference does it matter whos car it is.

[Bykov]

I thought this kind of thing would have gone away once I joined and there would be more mutual respect.... nope. Mine was a SrA and I knew her. She didn't even think twice to even check the car or notice that I was in it. Just walked away. I could not believe this crap. Never brought it up, she PCS'd a few weeks later. And there being no damage really saved her. If she had caused damage and said go through insurance I would have brought leadership in on it. People man.... No regard for anything that does not belong to them.

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

I had a lt. Col open her car door in to my camaro ss one day while we were walking out from work. I was a few steps behind her and my whole car rocked. I ran up and said "maam you just opened your door in to my car!" She responded with.... get this... "i thought you had a different car." I do have another car.... but this is mine as well. She said sorry i didnt know it was yours, got in her car and left. No damage.... but i was like... what difference does it matter whos car it is.