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Elio Motors has locked in the base price of $7300 for non-refundable reservation holders for their 84mpg 3-wheel "autocycle". Reservations can be made for as little as $100 or as much as $1000 with higher values getting priority delivery when they go into production. The price is above the $6800 target that had been quoted for the last few years, but those who are willing to make a binding commitment to purchase a vehicle can sign an additional online form to knock their price back down to $7000. The locked-in prices will be available until they reach a total of 65,000 reservations (~57,000 have been made to date).
The startup car company is attempting to disrupt the auto industry by producing an efficient, affordable vehicle similar to what VW did with the $1699 Beetle in 1968, but at an even more affordable price (the Beetle cost $11,768 in 2016 dollars)
The vehicle itself, while technically a motorcycle under federal law, is controlled like a car with a steering wheel and pedals. Most states have enacted legislation exempting such vehicles from the extra license endorsements or helmet requirements that motorcycles and trikes normally need. Standard features of the base model include an enclosed cabin with A/C, heat, cruise control and power windows & door lock.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 17 2016, @01:14AM
Reading the specs https://www.eliomotors.com/features/#details [eliomotors.com] ... reverse trike, front engine, front traction, 160 inch long (~400cm), 66 front wheels track (~167cm), 110 wheel base (~280cm), 55HP... really different than a car? Because it's bigger than some European/Japanese tiny cars (or compact family cars year ago). No weight info, but maybe lighter if it achieves the 100MPH (~160Km/h). Same parking space than small cars but only 2 person, just better fuel efficiency.
(Score: 1) by Francis on Wednesday August 17 2016, @03:19AM
It's different. Reverse trikes have been relatively common in the US for some time now. For example, the Piaggio MP3 has two in front and one in the back and those require a special endorsement.
The only reason why the car like ones don't require a special endorsement is that there's a cage surrounding the driver. Virtually every adult in the country knows how to ride a bike and as such can manage the leaning without being taught to do it on a bike. The reason the endorsement is required is that trikes don't handle the same way that vehicles on 2 or 4 wheels do.