Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

posted by janrinok on Tuesday August 16 2016, @11:08PM   Printer-friendly
from the can-I-touch-one-yet? dept.

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.


Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: 2) by MostCynical on Wednesday August 17 2016, @02:56AM

    by MostCynical (2589) on Wednesday August 17 2016, @02:56AM (#388973) Journal

    BMW tried a covered scooter 16 years ago.. it didn't sell.
    And it was just a covered scooter - small, practical, etc..

    http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/12/22/the-bmw-c1/ [bmwblog.com]

    --
    "I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2  
  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 17 2016, @05:55AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 17 2016, @05:55AM (#389015)

    That's a two-wheeler, tho: with that you need to constantly be balancing in addition to all the regular tasks of operating a vehicle.

    The Elio 3-wheeler does the balancing by itself, akin to a car. It has a steering wheel and pedals, also akin to a car. Its cabin is also completely enclosed, so it can (presumably) keep its occupants dry even in nasty "sideways rain" weather. The cabin sounds like it should be practical year-round, in climates across the entire USA.

    I have much higher hopes for the success of Elio's micro-car than BMW's kinda-covered scooter.