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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.


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  • (Score: 2) by Nuke on Wednesday August 17 2016, @01:15PM

    by Nuke (3162) on Wednesday August 17 2016, @01:15PM (#389092)

    I followed the link to their website, and after it spent a minute pulling in stuff from other locations (I glimpsed Facebook and a lot of names with "ad" in them) I got to the home page. Then promptly a pop-up questionaire; and after I had dismissed that, another pop-up.

    Sorry, they FAILED

    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2  
  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 17 2016, @01:27PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 17 2016, @01:27PM (#389096)

    With Flash off (but no ad blocking) I was able to get through fairly quickly.

    I was curious about the Elio engine, had seen various different descriptions in the press. Website claims a 900 cc (0.9L) three cylinder engine. Not far from the 3-cylinder 1-liter engine used in the early Chevy/Suzuki Sprint sold in USA in the 1980s.

    • (Score: 2) by AudioGuy on Wednesday August 17 2016, @09:32PM

      by AudioGuy (24) on Wednesday August 17 2016, @09:32PM (#389309) Journal

      I'm very curious about the engine too. Who makes it? Wonder what the horsepower is.

      If you have javascript and flash turned off, you can view the site by turning off css. I use the 'Web Developer' toolbar on Firefox beacuse it allows such control easily.