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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, @02:52AM
These things do not handle like cars...
Neither does mid-engine cars compared to a traditional front engine.
Neither does a popular SUV compared to an enthusiast car.
Neither does a car on snow compared...
While I can appreciate your point, it's not like people regularly take their vehicles to empty parkinglots to figure out the braking threshold, the amount of cornering push, etc.
Such an unusual vehicle is most like going to attract a certain type of buyer that will figure out the handling characteristics before attempting high speed maneuvers.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 17 2016, @04:04AM
No idea how Elio will handle. But, I've driven a Polaris Slingshot at their proving ground and it's remarkably like driving a small car with good performance. I drove it pretty hard and they also had a "permanent puddle" so it was possible to have one front wheel hydroplane at high speed--went straight through this hazard with no drama. The Polaris is a little heavier, rear wheel drive and seats two side-by-side so not directly comparable, but at least close to the same dimensions of front track and wheelbase.
While Slingshot registers as a motorcycle, I don't think many states require drivers to have a motorcycle endorsement on their license(??)
One practical problem with trikes like this -- how do you reach out to an automatic teller machine, or to a toll booth attendant?