Are You Completely Happy With The Design Of Elio?

[KenK]

Electric Lambo door...

 

[Maurtis]

I think it should have a Lambo door.

I am thinking of doing a Lambo style door on mine, just for kicks if it is possible. We will need to see how much room is in the door mounting area for the larger hinge.

Regarding design, I am pleased with the overall design except for the rear. The design when looking at the Elio from behind just strikes me as "meh".

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Completely happy? Yes.

Would I like a "normal" instrument panel and gas filler on the left? Also yes.

 

[Ekh]

I think it should have a Lambo door.

This has come up lots of times. You would have to completely redesign the frame, accommodate another hundred pounds minimum of extra weight, and increase the cost by hundreds of dollars. This car isn't about ultimately cool it's about Thrifty efficiency. + fun.

The thing about all design changes in any engineering venture is that doing one thing forces a whole series of changes some of which may not be desirable. All engineering projects are exercises in compromise for that reason. Lambo doors are plain silly in this case.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Ekh, you are obviously not familiar with the wonderful () cheap Chinese retrofit hinges. I'm sure you've seen them on many a Honda Civic in your area (along with wings big enough for a 747). They require no engineering at all, just a wrench, a crappy car, inflated self-esteem, and about $300...

Here's an example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221993487126

P.S. KenK, I got the joke.

 

[booboo]

Are You Completely Happy With The Design Of Elio?
This is a hard question to answer since all I have is a picture. Let me drive 1,000 miles, then I will let you know.

 

[skygazer6033]

The only problem I have with the Elios basic design is the instrument cluster and the turn radius. I've seen the P5 with it's Elgin cluster and I really think it will be difficult to read. I would definitely prefer old fashioned needles. The turn radius is reported to be around 19 feet. That's awfully wide for a vehicle this size. I've done some measurements and it looks like it might be hard to pull into my driveway without it taking a 3 point turn. It would be nice if it were 17 or less but that would entail making the wheel track several inches wider. Neither issue is a deal breaker. Completely happy, no but close enough. Oh and carpet should be standard!

 

[booboo]

2011 Ford Focus SE, (Moms Car) ... Track Width, Front 58.6" ... Wheelbase 102.9" ...Turning radius 17.1'
ELIO, my virtual cyclecar so far... Front Wheel Track: 66.8″ ...Wheelbase: 110″ ...Turning radius TBD

2011 Ford Focus Specs: 4-Door Sedan SE Specifications

As for the carpet in Moms Focus, it is awful, more like velcro, everything sticks to it, takes a 1hp shop vac to get it clean.
My Big Truck had a beautiful plush level cut pile on thick rubber insulation, best carpet I have ever seen, in any vehicle or home.

 

[Coss]

I think the door should have been on the curb side of the car.

This question has been discussed many times; if you did a search you would have known about all of the points we've brought up over the years.
You say you would like the door on the other side; why?

I have a question for you; have you actually seen and sat in a Elio yet? If so, which prototype was it?
Or are your assessments based on just the pictures of it?

You have asked questions of the members, but you have yet to answered any; and if you read the reply's to your other posts, you'll see that there were questions asked of you.
I just trying to figure out your level of interest in the Elio, and why you ask the questions you do.

 

[Elio Amazed]

I think the door should have been on the curb side of the car.

It is...
In the UK.