Elio Crowdfunding

[Coss]

I don't know about a bolt-on turbo, there's high compression issues, ECU issues, fuel injection issues, Id wait for a factory install for that.

In one of the interviews they did, they said they would be able to retro fit it one the Gen1 Elio's without voiding the warranty. They didn't say if they'll sell it as a kit, or if it's only warranty covered if you go back to them to have it done.

 

[bowers baldwin]

In one of the interviews they did, they said they would be able to retro fit it one the Gen1 Elio's without voiding the warranty. They didn't say if they'll sell it as a kit, or if it's only warranty covered if you go back to them to have it done.

If they did, I assume they'd have to reprogram the ECU in some way. I have installed forced induction on cars before and it's more then just bolting on a turbo/supercharger, there are timing issues (retard 2 degrees for every pound of boost) and I always had to put in bigger injectors.

 

[Rickb]

I think all this negative talk about $6800 is a red herring. Does anyone actually believe they'll walk out of the car dealership and pay base MSRP for any car? There are two different competing factors: 1. almost no one buys the base model so we all expect to pay a lot more than the "Starting at the low low price of xxxx". 2. MSRP is just a marketing ploy to make us feel like we are getting a deal, so we'll all pay about 10-15% less, on average, than the sticker price.

The best example I can think of of is the Mitsubishi Mirage because it is one of the cheapest cars for sale in US right now. The base price is listed online as $13,805, but True Car says I can get it easily for 14% discount of $11,870. So we could just stop right there and say if a basic 4 wheel car can be had for $11870 before tax that happens to have a few more features than the base Elio, why can't an Elio with less basic options, and seats, paint, weight, windows, tires, wheels, brakes, suspension, engine size, transmission complexity, airbags, etc... sell for about 60% of that price.

Also consider the majority of sales of that model are not the base price version of the car. The car configuration I think most probably buy says it is MSRP of $16,205, but Consumer Reports and True Car say I'll probably get that same one for $14,220. (12.3% discount) What if Mitsu just said their base model is $11,870, the same people hammering Elio could say the same about Mitsubishi, "how do I get all that when all the other guys are selling the same stuff for $14k?"

So with Elio's pricing model, I think a decently optioned Elio that matched the creature comforts of a Civic EX or Mazda 3 touring, with metallic paint, etc... will be $10k-12k before tax and delivery. In the standard Auto mfr pricing model, that would most likely have an MSRP at $11.5k-13.5k and I think most people would say, yeah that looks about right for what I get, but I'll haggle and get it out the door at $10-$11k before delivery and taxes.

I think many who are buying the Elio as the & commuter it is will be happy with a base model. Those buying for fun will load it up with options.

I have never seen a base model vehicle at any car dealership. I venture to guess big auto doesn't even build a base model, but rather use it as the minimal (base) price point from which to add options that reflects the MSRP window sticker.

 

[Reid3400]

Why not, they already sold these for $7700
View attachment 6245

Just turn the body around on the chassis. Why don't they get it?

 

[bowers baldwin]

Just turn the body around on the chassis. Why don't they get it?

And it has 5 doors! and 4 seats!

 

[Coss]

If they did, I assume they'd have to reprogram the ECU in some way. I have installed forced induction on cars before and it's more then just bolting on a turbo/supercharger, there are timing issues (retard 2 degrees for every pound of boost) and I always had to put in bigger injectors.

I doubt that they will any big time boost; probably just a 3 to 5 lbs. of boost. With a 12:1 compression ratio if they went much further, they'd blow out the bottom of the motor. They will probably use a centrifugal and not a roots supercharger; although a roots would look really cool.
Reprogramming the ECU isn't that big of a deal once you have done a few.

 

[bowers baldwin]

I doubt that they will any big time boost; probably just a 3 to 5 lbs. of boost. With a 12:1 compression ratio if they went much further, they'd blow out the bottom of the motor. They will probably use a centrifugal and not a roots supercharger; although a roots would look really cool.
Reprogramming the ECU isn't that big of a deal once you have done a few.

If they are only going 3-5 psi, then we are only looking at a <10hp gain (remember this is a 3 cyl @ 55hp), it wouldn't be worth it for the extra cost. I can almost guarantee they would lower the compression ratio if they went with a turbo unit.

 

[Coss]

3 to 5 lbs. in a 3 cyl with 12:1 is going to be more than 10hp. PE had said that the supercharger was going to double the hp.
I'll have to go research how much boost would be needed to do that.
No matter what it is; are they telling us the bottom end of that motor is beefy enough to handle it in its current configuration?
The 0-60 time was supposed to go to 4 to 4.5sec. with it depending on tranny; with those numbers you're in true hot rod land.

 

[AriLea]

Just noticed that it hit 97% Reserved $24,133,015

 

[bowers baldwin]

3 to 5 lbs. in a 3 cyl with 12:1 is going to be more than 10hp. PE had said that the supercharger was going to double the hp.
I'll have to go research how much boost would be needed to do that.
No matter what it is; are they telling us the bottom end of that motor is beefy enough to handle it in its current configuration?
The 0-60 time was supposed to go to 4 to 4.5sec. with it depending on tranny; with those numbers you're in true hot rod land.

Ok, after getting home from work I mulled the math, @3psi less than 10 hp, @5psi more then 10 (somewhere around 16), but I still think they are going to go with lower compression with a turbo setup, then they can go crazy and squeak out 50-60% more power.