You know, the point isn't what can you do with an Elio motor, but "What can it do better than other engines in it's class?". The engine will be clean enough for California specs, and it will have very nice power and torque profiles. The price will be low, or hopefully competitive with other comparable engines.
I'm not sure the engine HP spec will be unique in the range, but maybe it is for that weight/size. The comparable quality is going to be good as well.
Anyway, Elio found there was nothing comparable for the application and made their own accordingly. Therefore, this will likely be true for other applications as well. It may be a lot of current city-cars and mini-trucks will be candidates. This will likely enable new vehicle designs as well.
It would seem that this unique engine would take advantaged for some of the other uses as we have noted previously. It will displace some competitors there as well.
How many engines do they have to sell to make this worth-while? I don't think there will be a problem.
My other question is, will new vehicles using an Elio engine actually compete with the Elio overseas? Probably a little, although in that weight class these are usually urban speed applications. You need to cut the weight to a tandem three-wheeler like the Elio to reach full high-speed drivability.
So what countries have highway systems as primary transportation comparable to the USA? Canada, Mexico, ... .. and?
??China, Brazil, Russia??
Those countries will have a market to use the Elio engine with-in an Elio spec vehicle.