Just Wow!!!

[bowers baldwin]

i recall $6800.00 (Sept 2014)? anyone else?

Let us all reminisce about a sub $6K price..

 

[Travelbuzz1]

I've seen the "eco boost" plaque on quite a few vehicles but never knew what it was about. If it means the engine stops when the car stops for a red light or whatever, then I have reservations. Here in Houston we run with our A/C 90% of the time and on those 100 degree days the last thing we want is for it to shut off every time we have to stop in heavy traffic.

Of course, all this is speculation, as none of us really knows what the engine will be. Someone mentioned in this thread "BMW". You make my mouth water! I said before, I would love to have an Elio with a 2 cylinder BMW 1200cc, boxer twin motorcycle engine. No real development needed, as it has been refined constantly since 1921. I've owned two boxers and they are wonderful. Of course, being mechanically challenged, I have no idea if putting one in an Elio would even be possible. I don't think I'll count on it happening. Whatever, they do, I hope it's soon.

You make a very good point as I live in the Phoenix, AZ area and of course Paul Elio started his "Autocycle" company here. They maintain an office here so you would think that they would consider what you are stating. But, just to make sure I think you should direct this to them and give us some feed back. You approach them by using this ECO BOOST engine as an example, not as if this is the one that they are actually using.

 

[larryboy]

A 5 speed Mirage has 78hp and a curb weight of 2,073. 0-60 = 10.9 sec.
A 5 speed non turbo Fiat Pop had 101hp and a curb weight of 2,366. 0-60 = 9.7 sec.
A 5 speed Ford Ka with the 85hp motor and a curb weight of 2,220. 0-60 = 11.0 sec.

I think you would have to factor in the lower drag of the Elio as well. I am not enough of a gear head to be able to make an educated guess as to what effect a > 25% weight reduction and in some cases, a major hp increase will have. I hope someone will rewrite Schneider's post with every thing factored in so as to give us an better idea of the new improved Elio's performance. I don't race but I have several people hanging fire on the Elio who might be swayed by a significant increase in performance. Thanks in advance. Larry

 

[RSchneider]

I hope they don't use the Ford Powershift transmission. That thing has been a nightmare for Ford and even when right, not a very smooth transmission (nothing like the buttery smooth VW DSG). All you have to do is search "Powershift Transmission problems" and you'll see. Last year I rented a Fiesta in Germany and it had the Powershift. Even with a car with only 1500km on it, that thing was not very smooth. The main issue is that they shutter on start and going into 2nd gear. Trust me, it feels like the transmission is coming apart and the various fixes are all over the map.

I took an Uber in England and the guy had a Powershift and it was horrible. He bought the car dirt cheap because the previous owner had it with that car. This guy got a cheap car and he just drives it taking off and shifting like garbage.

As for performance, we will have to wait. I would thing they would change the gearing for the Elio as compared to a Ka or Fiesta. Plus we have no idea what the weight will be because whatever they hinted about in the past, I wouldn't believe it since Elio keeps changing the specs of the car.

 

[Tre']

I would have to think with Elio's lack of cash and the years since the 'new' engine was being developed the big manufacturer's had plenty of cash and time to develop (and continue to improve) their version of a high milage engine. It would be prudent to make use of it if Elio can. The other side is if they are helping out a big manufacturer (Ford?) make use of the little engines that MIGHT help get things rolling. The 'big boys' can probably give a nod and things will happen quickly, so a sort of (or actual) 'partnership' with one of them could go far for Elio.
I would go for a little diesel engine.

 

[Made in USA]

Any bets on whether we hear more about the drivetrain or the Eliocoin first? I'm betting drivetrain, just before the Eliocoin becomes available so that more interest is generated for the Eliocoin.

 

[Jim H]

Since Roush works almost exclusively with Ford engines, it isn't a stretch to guess that the Fortune 500 company providing the engine is, actually, Ford.

I haven't been on this site in several years because I got discouraged by the continual delays in proposed production since my initial reservation in 2013. The fact that Roush (and potentially Ford) is involved is good news. I would be thrilled to have a Ford engine because it is proven and parts and service are readily available.

 

[Ty]

I've seen the "eco boost" plaque on quite a few vehicles but never knew what it was about. If it means the engine stops when the car stops for a red light or whatever, then I have reservations. Here in Houston we run with our A/C 90% of the time and on those 100 degree days the last thing we want is for it to shut off every time we have to stop in heavy traffic.

Of course, all this is speculation, as none of us really knows what the engine will be. Someone mentioned in this thread "BMW". You make my mouth water! I said before, I would love to have an Elio with a 2 cylinder BMW 1200cc, boxer twin motorcycle engine. No real development needed, as it has been refined constantly since 1921. I've owned two boxers and they are wonderful. Of course, being mechanically challenged, I have no idea if putting one in an Elio would even be possible. I don't think I'll count on it happening. Whatever, they do, I hope it's soon.

Ecoboost is just Ford's version of smaller displacement engines that have similar HP to the larger ones. They do it through boosting the engines. Start-Stop is different but is supposed to also save fuel. It won't go into Start-Stop unless the vehicle can maintain temperatures. Usually, they have electric drive for the compressor so that it'll keep running even when the engine shuts down for the duration of a normal stop. It'll make the engine start up if the battery drains too long.

 

[airforceguy6]

I like your optimism Larry, but you have a lot more faith than I do right now! Even with the latest release of information I still don’t have the same faith as I did back in 2015 when we met. I would have paid in full back then, but I’m needing some more positive news before I get my checkbook out again! I too am no Ford fan but I’ll take the Elio with any power plant available.

I like your comment about the faith/hope to seeing this car in our driveways some day. It still makes me smile when I show new people to the Elio. Just this morning, I have two coworkers of mine that had never heard of it and saw me searching through this blog and asked "what's that funny looking thing"? A few minutes later after explaining it all (both the goods/MPG/design and the bads/development/wait time, etc), they were still excited and interested in it. One member is a current tech on the Tesla plant floor, and one is a soon to be father with a long commute, two completely different people that fit into different consumer demographics, but still the interest is there. I just enjoy seeing that there is a market for our future vehicle, and the interest can still spark today even with all the progress/lack of progress.

 

[RSchneider]

Ecoboost is just Ford's version of smaller displacement engines that have similar HP to the larger ones. They do it through boosting the engines. Start-Stop is different but is supposed to also save fuel. It won't go into Start-Stop unless the vehicle can maintain temperatures. Usually, they have electric drive for the compressor so that it'll keep running even when the engine shuts down for the duration of a normal stop. It'll make the engine start up if the battery drains too long.

Whatever they have in Europe is already proven because over the last three years, every car I've rented there (including Ecoboost Fords) have Start/Stop. I suggest getting on a plane and go there. Rent a Ka or Fiesta and you'll see what the Elio might be like. Even other companies do it even if they are a diesel. Even the Volvo i rented in England (where they were going through a record heat wave this year with temps in the 90's) my Volvo would never shut off once the temp inside got to what I had it set at. Then the start stop worked. If I was sitting in the horrible London traffic, it would start when it needed to cool the car back down. All cars today with that feature use a PDM (Power distribution Module). They watch the battery and determine what it needs. Hopefully Elio does not do what most other car companies are doing today, using a BEM code for the battery. That's a royal PIA for some cars because it literally means, some people have to go back to the dealer for a battery. The Germans love those BEM codes.