84 mpg $6,800 car coming in 2015

[Flyn]

Elio Motors, a new automotive company, has a three wheel vehicle slated to be released in 2015.

The sleek three-wheeled car looks futuristic, but, as its creator acknowledges, it uses no new technology.

What makes the Elio Motors vehicle unique is its ultra-high fuel economy and an ultra-low price tag: $6,800.

The vehicle, which was on display at the Showstoppers startup showcase on the sidelines of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, promises to deliver as much as 84 miles (134 kilometers) per gallon (3.8 liters) of gasoline for highway driving.

It accelerates as quickly as many cars on the road -- to 60 miles (100 kilometers) per hour in 9.6 seconds, according to the company. Urban fuel economy is estimated at 49 miles per gallon.

Company founder Paul Elio said he came up with the idea because "I got mad about seeing all this wealth leave the country" for imported petroleum.

An engineer by training, Elio began the firm in 2008 and recently took over an abandoned General Motors plant in Louisiana -- one which had been producing the gas-guzzling Hummer.

In order to deliver the best fuel economy, the car has a cockpit wide enough only for the driver, with a passenger seat in the rear. It has two wheels in front and tapers in the rear to a single wheel.

"Front-to-back seating, that's the key to mileage," Elio told AFP.

Three-wheel $6,800 car gears for 2015 US launch

Click to read more...

 

[b00sted]

"I got mad about seeing all this wealth leave the country" for imported petroleum.

Talk to the environmentalists...We have a shit ton of oil right beneath our feet here in the US...But we're somehow saving the planet by paying other countries to suck it out of the ground.

 

[Shibby50]

Wonder how it feels to get t-boned in that little bitch

 

[Stink Star]

Meh, I'd drive it just to drive something funny looking and see people's reactions.

 

[Blood on Blood]

Wonder how it feels to get t-boned in that little bitch

Agree, interesting to see the crash test results.

 

[guspech750]

Awwww. How cute. Another rat trap for people to die in.

 

[VenomousDSG]

Looks incredibly unsafe for American highways. I wouldn't drive that thing if you payed me.

 

[Rebel]

It's basically a trike with a roof.

 

[Gone_2022]

I'll just put this here lol

 

[FrenchLicker]

I'll just put this here lol

Trike vs can am spydee

 

[Ear Rak]

Awesome! Can't wait for one to get stuck in the tread of my truck!

 

[ChicagoSRT8]

Probly gonna sell thousands to the same tree huggers that bought the smart cars.

 

[Outlaw]

Not to sound like the homo here, but, I would buy the shit out of that for commuting... I work 27 miles from my work one way, and where I'm looking to move will about double that drive, one which I make at least six days a week... I spend 800-900/month on fuel at 16 mpg's in my truck, so something that would get five times the gas mileage and only cost about $7,000 with a presumable warranty would be something of interest to me...

It's about time someone capitalized on this... The existing tech is there. Stop trying to spend millions of dollars making heavy ass hybrid cars that don't really see much better gas mileage than economy cars of the early to mid 90s; but instead optimize the technology that we already have and roll it into a package that is refined and cost effective for the average consumer looking to make the "hybrid" jump without having to spend stupid amount of money on R&D.... Just fathom this for a second, this car gets better mileage and costs less than the TAX BREAK owners were getting on Volt purchases..

 

[Sprayin]

Cars like this will end electric vehicles if companies dont stop being stupid about them. The average consumer does not want to spend $35k+ on an electric car if saving money on fuel is the issue. Ive always believed that gasoline powered vehicles werent going anywhere.

And its not really comparable to a smart car. Smart cars are like $13k and they get 38mpg. Which isnt really that good.

Im all for econo-boxes if the price is right.

 

[nytebyte]

Death trap.

A simple fender bender could kill you in that thing.

 

[deviantlx]

how many of the guys who think its a death trap have ever driven a motorcycle?

 

[Shocker]

I would certainly entertain this... I drive around 100 miles a day.

 

[Stink Star]

how many of the guys who think its a death trap have ever driven a motorcycle?

This. I don't think of it as a cheap undersized car, I think of it more like an enclosed motorcycle. (Which if they made I would totally buy)

 

[boostedguy05]

I'll just put this here lol

I was going to post that as well.

 

[deviantlx]

This. I don't think of it as a cheap undersized car, I think of it more like an enclosed motorcycle. (Which if they made I would totally buy)

I agree. its funny how people get preconceived "notions" without even seeing it in person.

 

[Turk]

I agree with what's been said in here. Quit making gas saving electric cars that cost 40k. Make a stripped electric car for 20k and I'm in!

 

[RICH17]

Prius C.....


Still a shitbox tho

 

[bikrboy128]

well, i guess it's not terrible....but i'd rather ride my motorcycle

 

[Shibby50]

how many of the guys who think its a death trap have ever driven a motorcycle?

Don't like riding a motorcycle on the highway to commute either

 

[turtleman]

would not even consider it unless I was really hurtin to save money that way and if I was, I wouldn't be thinking about safety too much. I'm a car enthusiast so no, not gonna drive around in a little ecobox 80% of the time while the car(s) I enjoy sit and get old. lol @ going from a full size truck to that. Anyway I like it. This indeed looks like a sensible answer to a very easy question (finally) and I hope they do well