Just Wow!!!

[W. WIllie]

Lets stay with a KISS type vehicle, and I'll make my own modifcations.

 

[RSchneider]

Lets stay with a KISS type vehicle, and I'll make my own modifcations.

From what Elio motors is telling us, the car will not be Kiss. It started off that way but it's getting more and more packed with technology. I do hope that Elio will provide software and a WiFi tool that we can modify the electronic systems to our liking. Pretty much the same than that VCDS is for VW/Audi. I've modified the Haldex unit, Traction control, drive by wire, steering assist, about 5 different lighting options, eliminated the nanny's on the NAV (so a passenger can operate it while I drive) and plus I can adapt all of the different modules when I need to. It's pretty fun to sit at my dinner table and reprogram my car to do what I want it to do. All for $300. Just Google "VCDS" and ask for Elio to offer the same product. You will have lots of fun with it.

 

[Travelbuzz1]

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.

 

[Sethodine]

I don't deny that there is a lot of attraction to the Ford Ecoboost, but thinking about alternative options...
I don't know engines very well, but what about a 100hp v-twin? Not fuel efficient enough I suppose...

 

[RSchneider]

I don't deny that there is a lot of attraction to the Ford Ecoboost, but thinking about alternative options...
I don't know engines very well, but what about a 100hp v-twin? Not fuel efficient enough I suppose...

You have to think packaging. There's a reason why we don't put V-Twins in cars. It's going to have to be either a 2-4 cylinder inline engine. If it's from a top OEM then it'll be a 4 valve, direct injection, variable cam timing and an optional turbo. There's a reason why we don't use a 1992 Geo Metro engine in cars today. Trust me, if manufacturers could get away with it, they would be. There's a problem of competition and how the Japanese are forcing companies like Ford to stop selling cars in the US. Go talk to anyone in the industry, it's that companies like Honda and Toyota are killing most other companies when it comes to small fuel efficient cars where they can make a big profit on.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

Well, I'm torn. Get Elio out the door... but using a Ford Ecoboost.

I've seen the ecoboost in the larger vehicles and frankly, I'm not impressed. Their reliability leaves something to be desired.

There is also a lack of useful information most importantly, MPG.
Which brings other things into question:
Is MPG still a priority over performance? Must have #1
Is the price still competitive? Must Have #4
Is simplicity still a priority?

Now, with the speculation that it IS a Ford product actually makes sense with Ford winding down its car manufacturing. Keeping the ford engine manufacturing going is an interesting tactic. It would allow a more gradual wind down of the small engine manufacturing sector and their respective factories. This will help appease stock holders and unions and ease the reallocation of workers.

Admittedly, a 3 cyl ford motor would be an excellent fit (both performance and physical deminsions), if cost and MPG's can be maintained.

An Elio with a Ford engine would also be an interesting acquisition opportunity for Ford. It would be a relatively low risk acquisition considering their expertise and would fill a market niche that is empty and would use resources that already exists within Ford AND combined, would be an interesting competitor to the low cost EV boom. Also, the market research and low level marketing has already been completed.

It's still all speculation, and I'm too lazy to scan the Fortune 500 and figure out which other OEM's that it might be.

CE

 

[booboo]

I am wondering if their is a 2 stroke 3 cylinder in the fortunes of 500. The 2 stroke sound is awesome.

 

[Mel]

Unfortunately fuel economy is not high on the list for 2 stroke engines.

 

[RSchneider]

Well, I'm torn. Get Elio out the door... but using a Ford Ecoboost.

I've seen the ecoboost in the larger vehicles and frankly, I'm not impressed. Their reliability leaves something to be desired.

Ecoboost is a trademark that stands for Direct injection and a Turbo. Same thing every other car company does. They just call it something different (i.e. VW TSI). If you are going to buy a mainstream car, it's got Ecoboost on it. A Honda is Ecoboost but Ford has the trademark on the name so they call it something else. Same for VW, Porsche BMW, Chevy etc.

Ford did not come up with some new technology, they trademarked the name and used off the shelf technology. Same for Powerstroke. It was just a direct injection diesel as opposed to indirect. Powerstorke sounds better.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

Ecoboost is a trademark that stands for Direct injection and a Turbo. Same thing every other car company does. They just call it something different (i.e. VW TSI). If you are going to buy a mainstream car, it's got Ecoboost on it. A Honda is Ecoboost but Ford has the trademark on the name so they call it something else. Same for VW, Porsche BMW, Chevy etc.

Ford did not come up with some new technology, they trademarked the name and used off the shelf technology. Same for Powerstroke. It was just a direct injection diesel as opposed to indirect. Powerstorke sounds better.

You can call it the Peanut Butter and Jam Sammich Technology.
If it's not reliable, I'm not interested.
Maybe it's improved since then, but it'll take quite a lot to convince me.
(consistent numbers for starters)

I am wondering if their is a 2 stroke 3 cylinder in the fortunes of 500. The 2 stroke sound is awesome.

2 stroke engines are obsolete.
Sure they have excellent power to weight ratio, but abysmal reliability and efficiency.
And 2 stroke pollution output would exceed large diesel trucks. (not kidding)