Driving Into the Future

Watch our own Jerome Vassallo show off the newest Elio prototype on AMHQ with Sam Champion on The Weather Channel. Check it out!

[@cfranciskovich69]

I WANT ONE!

[@alexvpaq]

looking good guys! Can't wait to see it out there for real!

[@JustAnotherHuman33]

My dream car

[@palebeachbum]

Finally, something new to watch about the Elio! I'm so anxious for it to be in its final iteration and ready for sale. Ugh, another year of waiting it looks like.

[@sdmackpictures]

Can't wait to see this roll out. I'm getting one for sure.

[@emanuel2cool1]

It isn't for everyone, but it's right for me. I love the concept and can't wait to drive it when it comes out.

[@neilhackett3404]

Dear Lord... I think I actually want one of these. The mileage savings plus the low price make it perfect for a daily commuter car.

[@silassunday2359]

VERY NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looking sharp Elio, oh, you also Mr. Jerome :)

[@sheabrown]

It looks a lot better I love it

[@thomasnativo6491]

That car is awesome

[@FREEG51]

1 door 2 seats 3 wheels Sounds like a great branding catch phrase. I can't wait. I'm all in. Very excited to hear the update on Fox and Friends this Tues. 4/29 between 6 and 9 am. I've set my DVR to record. I'm ready to fire mine up on I-40. Let's go! Wasn't able to make bike week in Daytona so this was my first real chance to hear the engine. Purrs like a kitten. If I were any more excited they'd think I'd had a six pack of Red Bull.

[@williamporter6185]

I actually first saw this car on the news. Now I think I wanna purchase one.

[@stewmiller778]

Another prototype? When will the final release be ready?

[@dudelivestrong]

Early 2015

[@rmcdaniel423]

I'm really glad that they keep making new prototypes, actually. That is a solid indicator that the project is moving forward, with improvements in each model. I've seen lots of potentially cool new vehicle concepts that just drop off the face of the earth. When I'm done farting around here on KZbin looking at Elio videos, I will be going to their website to see what's there. Very intriguing.

[@tubehax]

dudelivestrong q3 2015, i wouldnt ne surprised if we saw a 2016 push lol

[@scottyboy2400]

Sept 2015!

[@thisnthat8106]

Next year. No matter when you are reading this, next year

[@erextrum]

Sounds like a motorcycle. Cool!

[@brandonGCHACHU]

I hope it comes with a class 5 hitch so I can haul my horse trailer

[@rolloverriderpgr]

This is a question I looked for on your website. IS there a good way to tow a smaller trailer in the MC class designed for the E? At least what would the tow weight be? 100# would be a good total, trailer and load. Just not enough pictures out yet to examine for a good shop or tinkerer to come up with a workable after market. But you guys need to be on this as it will happen and not that long either! No RV trailers but the trip to the store can sometimes be more than a bucket seat area.

[@thisnthat8106]

Lmao

[@SchumiFan92]

The new versions looks much better, some great visual improvements on this model.

[@fatboy19831]

Who let this out of the editing room?

[@Frossiart]

uh... Mr. Elio, the American public who want a gas efficient car... from an (new) American Auto company, Pre-orders financed the start up of the manufacturing plant. The demand for this car is solid even before production.

[@fatboy19831]

Frossiart I have no problem with the Elio concept. Just the poor quality of this video. Not acceptable.

[@rmcdaniel423]

fatboy19831 Oh my goodness. Did someone on TV produce a mediocre bit of video? Sound the alarm. We sure don't want to upset fatboy.

[@fatboy19831]

rmcdaniel423 There latest video is much more professional. Promotion is what will make or brake this car. What they release needs to be spot on.

[@robinyates9426]

slowly getting there,,,,,,,,,,,,very slowly

[@RichardDowdell1981]

Waiting to get mine is torture.

[@brandun999]

I am liking the idea of achieving the fuel mileage of a motorcycle with the weather protection of an enclosed cab. I would also like to see a second door. I have mixed feelings about only one entry/exit.

[@Lacider]

The new front fenders are nice, how much of an MPG boost and top speed increase will that provide do you think?

[@palebeachbum]

None. Their goal has always been 84 mpg highway and a top speed of 107 mph. They had to make the aerodynamic changes to the 4th prototype you see here in order to meet those goals. The old aerodynamics stood in the way of meeting those goals, hence the change.

[@NomadCF]

palebeachbum They still have have not reached their goal, new design and smaller engine. And they have yet to get even close to it. Next I'm at another showing (I've been to 2 now, one original (gray) showing and now this model). And both times I've been told. No we're not quite there yet, but where still working on it. I mean either way if it got over 60 mpg I'd still be happy.

[@Lacider]

Chris Franklin Maybe a small turbo diesel is the answer? That'd get better mileage then a gas engine...

[@palebeachbum]

They've already paid a company to design the engine. At this point they're making tweaks to meet their MPG goal. Turbo diesel tech is more costly, which would raise the price of the car. Not to mention diesel gas in the US is more costly. They probably looked into it in the very early stages of development and decided traditional gas engine was the way to go.

[@rolloverriderpgr]

palebeachbum It would be a toy for those with more money than good sense as the cost is higher than unleaded, but it's the taxes that would be a problem for them with the payment arrangements as I read them. Remember it is not a commercial vehicle so those at the pump taxes takes a completely different page when you file the taxes not to mention the hard copy or digital copies of all your receipts to CYA in case of an audit, just for those refunds you get for paying them. For E, how do they apply them or would they send you the cash or do you file for them? That is another cost they do not need to pass on to us and having to rewrite their contract is another cost we would wind up paying in the long run. FYI: Diesel was prohibited from the Indy track many years ago because the gas autos couldn't keep up. Little known Indy fact! Nice to have if you are a diesel lover. I drove trucks for a living so diesel IS in the blood, but only when needed! The smell in that small space and even a Diesel lover grows tired of it!

[@wickiezulu]

Would love to drive an Elio powered by a 45-54 hp 800cc 3-cylinder diesel unit as found in the Smart Fortwo.

[@zzzbunk]

Do you need a motorcycle license to drive? Also, the test driven version is different at the fenders in front and back. Black plastic. Can we order painted fenders as in the prototype shown? Are all the headlights flush mounted now? Or option for the exterior hot rod look?

[@silassunday2359]

Alex, Here are some resources which can answer your questions. This vehicle you see is a pre-production prototype called P4, there are two older pre-production versions P2 & P3. A newer even more refined P5 pre-production is coming out this summer. www.ElioMotors.com facebook.com/notes/elio-motors-design-concepts/elio-motors-video-library-elio-information-at-your-finger-tips/498181873615164

[@msscooterpower]

Alex you got it right.That's what I'm afraid of.They showed us all this time the real pretty one that looks like a hot rod with nice sporty fenders and with trimmed rear end and now they brought this coffin looking with full fender so they can add more money on the other one.

[@Itsdexter1994]

This looks really nice. I really hope this car is a big hit with the public. I read this will be the first American made car in about 60 years.

[@Auster9376]

The problem is its not a car. Since it has 3 wheels, it's considered as a motorcycle, but has all the basics of a car such as: an interior, air conditioning, windows, ect.

[@rmcdaniel423]

Newbius93 Why is that a problem?

[@Auster9376]

Not much of a problem now that I think about it. However you might need a motorcycle license.

[@SerenityForschen]

My current car is coming close to its ten year mark and I will be looking for another commuter car. I am keeping a close eye on this gem as it my be my next car.

[@FREEG51]

I'm no tree hugger. Could care less about my carbon footprint. I want this car because it's fun and sporty, fully loaded with safety features that make it much safer, stable, and all-weather practical than a motorcycle or even an open-air trike; and it's going to save me a TON of money going to and from work. End of story. Bam!

[@Frossiart]

agreed. I was looking for a new motorcycle when I stumbled across the Elio, and got very excited about it from their demo videos. This would be much more practical than a motorcycle, especially in inclement weather

[@NomadCF]

I'm ~6'3" and weigh in at 180 lbs and I have to say I didn't fit well in this version or the 1 (or 2) second gen gray prototype that made the rounds. In both models my knee where hitting (needed to rest against) the bottom dash while just sitting in the drivers seat. And forget trying to move right leg to and from the accelerator to the brake. Then their is the whole getting in and out of this. My wife's only 5'4" and weights about 133 lbs and she said it was "awkward" to try and get in or out of it. Although she had no problems with leg or head room like I did. And finally we get to the rear seat, where neither of us would EVER ride. If getting into the front was choir, HA ! getting into or out of the rear requires assistance. Plus it's extremely catastrophic, no windows, air vents and even the "cut outs" for the arm rest where oddly placed and basically unusable. Although I was glad to see that compared to the older version. You can now actually reach the shifter with out stretching (literally the old prototype had the shifter down by my knee on the floor) and it now has a right side arm rest. You'd think that having raise now more then 75 Million dollars, that they wouldn't have had to push back the production date from ~July this year to the "first quarter" of next year. And then you add on to that the fact that they already have a medium sized reservation list. One has to wonder what the hold up is (besides the fact they still have not gotten a single prototype to actually get the so-posed 84 MPG, even after having to reduce the engines HP). Even with all this, I'm still hoping to see this concept come to market. And I'm even on the "All in, Non-Refundable" list. As I see it it's really no different then a kick starter campaign.

[@palebeachbum]

I'm 5'8" and I didn't have enough head room in the rear seat. I also found it really claustrophobic. They should at least put those cheap latches on the back seat side windows so you can pop them open like in traditional hatchbacks. That seams like an oversight. I'll gladly pay a tiny bit extra for that as an option.

[@All4Grogg]

Never miss another apex....or pothole. Simply smart concept, low resistance, light weight and simple. 5 speed though ...really small engine demands manual gearbox or else it'll lose a part of its soul.

[@tmac015]

I'm very interested in buying one of these for my daily commute for work, but my concern is how does the Elio drive up hill? Where I live if I go north or south i have to drive up some steep roadways and often have to accelerate quickly to pass other slower cars. Is this possible in the Elio and how will the small engine handle this?

[@zekehooper]

I like how the lights look like cats eyes.

[@souljapolo96]

If it looked like a T-REX, I would buy it.

[@manoman0]

Isn't there some space for an e-motor and a small battery pack to go with the gas burner?

[@PandaMan02]

does the trunk have a locking mechanism or can anyone crawl in through there?

[@mscolli3]

Has there been any side-swipe crash tests?

[@thisnthat8106]

mscolli3 you have to make them before you can crash it

[@krecikowi]

I like IDEA for this car, but what about engine sound, noise inside (at 70 mph), acceleration, vibrations, steering, suspension, traction on various surfaces etc. etc. etc. what you get for this $6,800? Cruise control? CD player? mp3 input? Are windows electrical/manual. There is 101 question I could ask :).

[@Carrillo17]

I would make this thing a convertible but keeping the body pillars.

[@RomeoKiloLimaWasTaken]

So a targa?

[@Carrillo17]

SirSMGRobert lol well yeah but obviously without any rear windshield. Oh and also install a soft rolling top on it. Kinda like the cabriolet fiat has.

[@joelsssss]

And then ad a TURBO some NICE LOOKING WHEELS at the front and a beefier REAR wheel for grip and looks!!! if will be a nice tuner car, it has a lot of potential for many different tastes!!!

[@Carrillo17]

***** you're right man! I like your taste. I don't like how the front tires are covered. I would install bigger size tires with some nice wheels. And I would change the interior too

[@joelsssss]

it's just such a nice tuner car (or drive it as it is car) and with what you save on buying the thing and gas, you end up having enough for those purposes

[@BrianBellbravo]

coffin on wheels.

[@adamfloerchinger855]

If your going to have only one door. why then would you have it open in to the street ?

[@jackpontiac52]

Gear shift is on the right side. I would put the gear shift up on the dash, and put the door on the right side.

[@xeverdeadx]

i'd constantly forget to enter on the right. could just be me.

[@rolloverriderpgr]

jackpontiac52 More cost of a dash mount. Had a Honda when I was stationed on Oki in 1972 with a dash mounted shifter and it was insane shifting it! And that darn car was a 4 seater and still fit down the alleys called streets there and the E's interior is just not half as wide so they could make it an option but it would be an expensive one. It's not a good engineering idea nor profitable one unless they come out with a luxury 25mpg 5 times the cost one for those with more money than ideology.

[@Bowerso]

Got mine on order! # 3012

[@Nichen]

How about a 1.2 tdi motor which accepts biodiesel? That would be friggin awesome. I have a Audi A2 1.2 TDI which can get 75 MPG. WITH biodiesel. With diesel you are talking maybe 77 MPG.

[@TheAhemahemahem]

Even if they did raise it up an extra 200 bucks all that is an extra 2 weeks of wages and an extra 50 million dollars in their pockets if they sell 250k of these. And all that does is give us extra jobs extra flowing cash and money for a better and improved design. And back us up if the car breaks down. I can deal with that sort of increase.

[@grimstar8402]

agreed, I wouldn't look at this as a family car obviously but for all us commuters college/first time drivers this is awesome! I'm glad they are producing something that challenges all car companies, and I hope they are successful. As much as I like the Volt, Prius, or C-Max, I don't want to pay 30k for a car I drive back and forth to work. I really hope they do well.

[@TheAhemahemahem]

Patrick Mowrer I was hoping they brought this out sooner rather than later but I needed a new car so i got a 2004 honda civic with 150k miles on it and I bought it for 5900... I wish this car was available lol.

[@henriquecorrea1147]

Vendam este carro aqui no BraZIL. Por favor

[@recoveringnewyorker2243]

I am VERY intrigued! However, is this the next Model T,or VW Beetle (the real one with the engine in the back)or Toyota Corolla ?.Or is it the next Tucker,or Bricklin,or DeLorian?Will the auto and/or oil industry establishment try (and succeed) to destroy this car? Or will we allow capitalism to work and let the market decide? I remember when the Yugo was introduced in '86.(by Malcolm Bricklin) By '89 they were giving them away as a free 2nd car. Most people still didn't want them. All that said,I WANT ONE! But they'll have to prove themselves first.

[@youtubewatcher4578]

Have to wear a helmet...technically a motorcycle.

[@ChanandIerBong]

Only in five states www.eliomotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/helmetlaws.pdf

[@ct4cf]

I am surprised that no one mentioned what Engineering is missing. Anybody see it here? Modern electronics like electric HVAC, a Li-ON/Supercap battery, start stop mild hybrid technology and centralized P/C control. Its 2016 guys, not 1976. Where is my STANDARD touch screen interface for controlling the car? No new tooling is required. Everything is readily available in large amounts w/far greater reliability per duty cycle than the manual & mechanical alternatives from the 20th century. I don't expect regenerative braking & Toyota Synergy style hybridization @ this price point but I do expect better from an automotive start up in 2016. I admire the vehicle but I'm disappointed in the lack of effort to integrate the modern stuff. For probably another $800 you could add a wafer motor between the engine and trans axle and a small 250V traction battery and alternator to support and all electric HVAC etc. I require more effort to get my attention and keep it.

[@thisnthat8106]

PAUL A. RHODES, SR. Lmao, you don't get caviar at peanut butter pricing

[@ktmfanatic1981]

New age reliant robin.

[@deathscythefanatic]

so umm whats the weight limit lol but seriously what is it

[@erichocinc]

So where's the video where she got BACK from her test drive and reports on it …. that would be much more interesting.

[@NomadCF]

She wasn't allowed to test drive it, she was only allow to turn around that corner you saw. As she doesn't have her motorcycle license :)

[@jackpontiac52]

Chris Franklin You don't NEED a motorcycle license because the car has 'car like' controls. Americans are not noted for Common Sense, except for a few, one being Paul Elio.

[@williamma2147]

I did convert it. This car is cheap so anyone can play with it.....

[@ridesharebiz5317]

Silly video. No car yet.

[@Otterbruce]

I say hurry up with the production engine. The metro engine sounds horrible.

[@jacobhuggins]

I read from someone who went to some online meeting with the Elio Team that they quietly announced that the first engine has been done since this past February. Hoping it is true.... :)

[@palebeachbum]

Jacob Huggins Last I heard, the engine design is complete. In simulations it was rating at 81 mpg. They were trying to decide if they should reduce power to improve the fuel economy. That had to of been back in February or so when i read that. I hope they don't sacrifice so much power in an effort to improve fuel economy that it becomes horrifically slow and underpowered. I'll gladly accept 81 mpg and a little more power.

[@toho28]

At this price, I'd gladly take 70-75 mpg and pay extra for a few more amenities. Someone on their FB page mentioned a trailer hitch option would be nice. I agree. Adding a hitch and a small trailer option would make it a lot more utilitarian. Though it's not necessary, I would still like a rear window to reduce claustrophobia and maybe a small rear view mirror so you could glance back at your passenger.

[@palebeachbum]

toho28 They will offer all sorts of options from what I've read. Body wraps, different wheel fairings/wheel options, interior extras. I'm not sure about the trailer hitch option making much sense unless they also offer a tiny, lightweight, aerodynamic enclosed trailer as well. We are talking about a .9L 3cyl engine. It's not designed for trailer towing. A small, lightweight enclosed trailer large enough to carry a couple of full size suitcases might be useful on long trips, but the back seat as it is in the P4 is totally not suitable for anything more than short trips. My head was pressing against the ceiling at 5'9" and the seat was hard as a rock Sit on a wood kitchen chair. That's basically what it felt like. Not suitable for long trips. As for adding a rear window, it'd be completely behind the passenger, so would do nothing for reducing the claustrophobic feel to the back seat area. I did hear that they will offer a panoramic roof as an option. If it extends back far enough, that should help with the rear passengers claustrophobia. Although I wouldn't want my passenger's head pressing against a glass roof. As for having some kind of rear view mirror to see your rear passenger, I think that's a very good idea and should at least be offered as an option. However, it can't be mounted in the center of the windshield like a traditional car, since you'd be seeing your own head in the mirror (try it with a visor vanity mirror in a regular car).

[@jacobhuggins]

toho28 I read that the ESC (electronic stability control) is already finished for the Elio. For them to allow the use of using a trailer it would completely ruin the calibration and computing of the finalized ESC system. If they were to allow using a hitch they would have to add an extra several months in R&D to be able to come up with a new way to do that and to stay within the parameters they have as a goal for the company.

[@jerrytoombs4195]

oh, I'm gonna wait for someone to build an 86 mpg car.....:) "saving 8 million gallons of gas a MONTH!!!!!"

[@J.D.Vision]

Female Driver Watch out!!!

[@LunarLizard]

Woman can do their make up while going 80 down the freeway but they cant figure out how to put a car into drive why am I not surprised

[@pauliepaparazzo2019]

The commentators and sales vp need to learn about sound bytes. I WANT TO HEAR IT START AND RUN. I DON"T care about your banter. Stop treating Americans like were all 80 years old it's insulting. What is this fox news?

[@scottyboy2400]

No, its CNN!