Automotive

Elio Motors reveals custom-engined P5 prototype at the LA Auto Show

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The Elio Motors P5 prototype, at its Los Angeles premiere
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The big change with this version of the Elio is a 60-hp 0.9-liter 3-cylinder front-mounted engine, which was custom-made for Elio Motors
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The Elio's rear cargo compartment
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The Elio Motors P5 prototype, at its Los Angeles premiere
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The newest Elio should still deliver 84 mg (2.8 l/100km) on the highway, and 49 mpg (4.8 l/100km) in the city
CC Weiss/Gizmag
Elio buyers can reportedly expect 55 ft lb (75 Nm) of torque, a top speed of over 100 mph (161 km/h), and a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of under 10 seconds
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The custom-made Elio engine
CC Weiss/Gizmag
The Elio P5's dashboard is also now unique to the vehicle
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The Elio seats two people, one behind the other
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Ever since we first heard about it over two years ago, the Elio has captured a lot of peoples' imaginations. Not only does the three-wheeled two-seater look pretty cool, but its manufacturers promise great fuel economy, peppy performance, and a sub-$7,000 price tag. Now, Elio Motors has unveiled the latest prototype of the vehicle, the P5.

The big change with this version is a 60-hp 0.9-liter 3-cylinder front-mounted engine, which was custom-made for Elio Motors. The engine (on its own) was unveiled in Michigan earlier this year. By contrast, previous prototypes were equipped with off-the-shelf engines.

Performance figures still remain about the same.

Buyers can reportedly expect 55 ft lb (75 Nm) of torque, a top speed of over 100 mph (161 km/h), and a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of under 10 seconds. The car – which is actually classed as a motorcycle – should also still deliver 84 mg (2.8 l/100km) on the highway, and 49 mpg (4.8 l/100km) in the city.

The custom-made Elio engine
CC Weiss/Gizmag

When company founder and CEO Paul Elio unveiled the P5 this Thursday at the LA Auto Show, he gave several reasons for no longer going with a third-party engine. Among these were the need to meet production volume, avoiding the extra costs that would have to be passed along to consumers, and the ability to have the engine designed to precisely fit the needs of the vehicle.

The dashboard, incidentally, is also now being made specifically for the company.

Elio Motors is sticking with its target price of US$6,800, and hopes to begin deliveries in the fourth quarter of next year … although it has failed to meet such deadlines at least once before.

Source: Elio Motors

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15 comments
mhpr262
I wish him the best of luck, but selling the projected numbers at the projected price is a bold goal, to say the least. How many dozens million dollars of investment capital is he still lacking again ...?
Mike Barnett
Nice review of the P5, a vehicle that I have reserved. One tiny little point though - Elio has missed NO deadlines. Target dates have been pushed back, but no promises were ever made, and the vast majority of us who have reserved one get that.
Now, and FAR more importantly, the SEC has just approved the Elio stock sale plan. Those of us who preregistered interest in stock will have one week to make our purchases, before stock becomes available to the general public. Unless, of course, we believers buy it all first!
Dax Wagner
Which year in this century will early Elio funders learn that THERE. IS. NOT. ENOUGH. FUNDING! This cannot get off the ground. Period.
Daishi
At this point the Arcimoto SRK looks like its probably more likely to see production. Elio wants to take public investors and even take the company public before actually ever releasing a real product. Ditto for asking the DoE for a nearly $200 million loan. If this thing fails it will be the biggest crowd funded disaster in history. If the DoE actually gives them a check through the program that clearly states its not for funding stat-ups the DoE will not have clean hands when this thing blows up either. So much money is already involved that no matter what happens it will be fireworks.
LillyPatterson
Over 47,311 people put their money behind this project. Two or three jealous peabody's are not going to stop it. Check out the Board of Directors and the suppliers in partnership with it. It's a go and it is going to give America the chance we need. Funding is there.
Bob Stuart
I sure would like to see some independent verification for those performance claims. If that shape is slippery enough, I lose my bets. Engines are the worst place for a small company to invest in for economy.
ikarus342000
With all the pessimistic comments, I hope the company can make it. Biggest hurdle for my feeling is the acceptance of the vehicle. Is not mainstream and buyers in general are conservative, or follow trends. I would order one but I live in Europe. I wish them success.
pwndecaf
YAP - Yet Another Prototype
Bruce H. Anderson
The main concern I have with the Elio is the utter disregard for the rear passenger. Ingress/egress is difficult, and headroom is a huge fail. Both are easy fixes, but maybe they will come on later models after the rollout.
bergamot69
Might well work in certain snowless Southern States, but will people in Michigan, Ohio, Maine, etc, invest in a 3-wheeled car that would have to remain in the garage in winter?
I am a huge 3-wheeler fan (at least I am if there are two wheels at the front) but I'd only ever consider one as a 3 seasons car.