Life After The 2017 Introductory Model... How About The Elio Ii?

[Frim]

Man, that was dripping with sarcasm... It was meant to be a show of how the next Elio COULD be configured to match the "more people" thread.

Not really intended as sarcasm. I thought of it as returning to the basic goals of the Elio production. I too want to see the boundaries explored for the next generation Elio. In particular, I want to see the development of an E Elio.

 

[Coss]

Something like this? With a collapsible 3rd seat you could use for extra storage too?...

http://data:image/jpeg;base64,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

I like it!
It is very close to what I had in mind; Jeff Porter had brought up the point that in it's current configuration, the Elio is the same size as a compact car; and if you made it much longer, you'd lose the ability to park it in a normal parking spot. By only making it a little longer <4" to 6" more> you can still fit the confines of a typical parking spot, but you would gain a lot of space on the inside.
The drawing is close to that, but I would have the rear wheel be a blended part of the body (like it is on the Elio now) rather than a separate section. I see that as a loss of space you could be using.

And for some reason, the view from the rear on the drawing reminds me of a Ford Probe:

 

[Coss]

Wow, that was strange; I clicked it once to post and it's acting like it's stuck in a loop and keeps reposting it.

 

[Rabrandt99]

I'd love to see a one-seater version, honestly. Eliminate the second seat and make that all storage. But I think it would only be viable if feedback indicates that virtually no-one rides shotgun in an Elio.

Or, even in a wilder and 'would never happen' sense, make a one-seater truck version. It would probably lower the mileage having a flatbed in the back, but half of the time when I or my Dad go off to grab supplies in our truck or SUV, we're by ourselves anyway. Might not be able to pack it up as full as a regular truck, but if it gets decent mileage, I'm sure some people would buy that version.

But then again, it's probably too out there, LOL.

 

[Elio Amazed]

Years ago, I drew a sketch for a 2-seat tandem car that looked very much like the Elio, except that it was a 4-wheeled car. I also envisioned an off-road version, except I figured the gunner would be in the back seat with the gun mounted on the roof.

Personally, I'd LOVE to see an Elio that could do the Baja 500 on a single tank of gas I think if you stripped off most of the body panels and glass, you could lighten it up enough to make up for the decrease in milage due to off-road driving.

You get me so confused at times Seth...
So people run the Baja with guns on turrents mounted to the vehicles now?
Talk about a rough sport!

I vote for a 8-passenger micro-bus that gets 55mpg highway for $8200.
You know... targeted @ the overseas market so my stock splits 21 times.

 

[HonestTex]

I'd love to see a one-seater version, honestly. Eliminate the second seat and make that all storage. But I think it would only be viable if feedback indicates that virtually no-one rides shotgun in an Elio.

Or, even in a wilder and 'would never happen' sense, make a one-seater truck version. It would probably lower the mileage having a flatbed in the back, but half of the time when I or my Dad go off to grab supplies in our truck or SUV, we're by ourselves anyway. Might not be able to pack it up as full as a regular truck, but if it gets decent mileage, I'm sure some people would buy that version.

But then again, it's probably too out there, LOL.

I'd buy the Elio Truckster!!

 

[bowers baldwin]

Oooh, a three-seat Limousine version! Driver, rear-facing passenger and front-facing passenger.

But seriously though, I think that we often think of this as a car, when really it is more like a motorcycle. It serves a very specific purpose, and deviating outside of that purpose puts it in competition with much better suited vehicles.
When it comes to cargo, I would be satisfied with an Elio that is engineered to occationally tow a light-duty trailer.

 

[WilliamH]

Oooh, a three-seat Limousine version! Driver, rear-facing passenger and front-facing passenger.

But seriously though, I think that we often think of this as a car, when really it is more like a motorcycle. It serves a very specific purpose, and deviating outside of that purpose puts it in competition with much better suited vehicles.
When it comes to cargo, I would be satisfied with an Elio that is engineered to occationally tow a light-duty trailer.

I think your attachment made the perfect point.
"600 lb. Auto; 200 lb. Motorcycle Capacity; 78 in. Tag-Along Trailer"
How many people have the sense not to cram in everything that will fit? Rather than limiting the weight.
I'm sure someone will probably make a trailer hitch for the Elio. Eventually!
But if I was Elio it wouldn't be me. And I definitely wouldn't allow it to be a "factory installed" option.
You want it? You buy it and have someone else install it.

 

[Coss]

Go all the way with an Elio Service vehicles; an Elio Tow Truck
Or a Elio Road Service truck and have storage boxes on either side of the back wheel, that go from just behind the door opening, to about a foot past the back wheel, bottom to top about 2' - 3', depending on the service you need it for, ladder racks, or pipe racks on top.
Both would seat one.

(It's times like this I wish I was good with Photoshop)

 

[voyager]

Let's get back to the obvious choices Elio made:
1. Don't need four seats, most people drive alone
2. Means a narrow cabin that can tandem-seat two suffices
3. Which is also good in terms of low drag and weight
4. A relatively small, fuel-efficient ICE will do
5. Don't need four wheels then; three-wheel platform sets it apart
6. Elio needs to qualify as an 'autocycle'
7. Need a wide front-wheels stance for stability
8. Low price is paramount.

ad 1. and 2.
Tandem-seating two isn't exactly what you may call cozy.
The suggested 'offset' seating layout enables to accommodate three... much more cozily.

ad 3.
Tear-drop shape most conducive to low drag.

ad 4.
'Dual develop' two propulsion systems - ICE and electric drive - is recommendable... Expensive though.

ad 6.
If 'properly formatted and engineered' you can do away with the arduous and very iffy (because it differs per U.S. state) autocycle qualifying, and go straight for meeting NCAP crash standards as a regular car. More expensive to develop though.

ad 7.
Deal with the weight shift during cornering by using a adaptive suspension and/or rear-wheel(s) steering, and you can limit the vehicle's width. Again, expensive. The Elio has a front-wheels stance of a Tesla Model S (the last time I looked).

ad 8.
You end up with a vehicle that will end up costing at least twice the price of the Elio's. But you will have something that is more future-ready, safer, more practical, and arguably better-looking. However, you will need the endorsement and support by a major OEM.... not just project partners.