Most of my interest in a different model would come down to increasing the amount of space it can hold (without increasing the amount of weight it can carry). That would make it a mini-car worthy of delivering balloons, pizzas, or drugs, among other things, but it would still never replace trucks and vans for carrying (or towing) anything heavy. Every idea I have, though, would alter the aerodynamics, and most would tend to reduce the mileage in other ways too. Once you accept a less efficient vehicle though, you can do lots of styles (convertible, hatchback, flatbed, pickup, etc). I imagine something with a roof that's flat instead of sloping downward, and a tailgate that folds down (like a station wagon) might sell.
Being in Las Vegas, I've actually thought a bit about how to make the elio into a unique limo, for people who want lots of attention rather than anonymity. That picture looks great. You'd need a giant car to bring five friends with you plus luggage, but if it's just you and a date going to an awards dinner, an elio limo would be a real novelty.
For one thing, changing body panels to give it more squarish contours, borrowing style elements from cadillac or bentley, would give it a more recognizably limo look.
Also, I've often wondered why movie stars put up with limos (and cars) that make them crawl out of the car and then stand up. Wouldn't it be more photogenic, or modest, or graceful, or regal, if they could stand up straight before stepping out? An elio might actually have a bit of advantage when it comes to adding a roof panel that tilts or slides out of the way. Because the roof is narrower and there's no door on the other side, there could be lots of reinforcement and chassis stiffening built into the frame.
Being in Las Vegas, I've actually thought a bit about how to make the elio into a unique limo, for people who want lots of attention rather than anonymity. That picture looks great. You'd need a giant car to bring five friends with you plus luggage, but if it's just you and a date going to an awards dinner, an elio limo would be a real novelty.
For one thing, changing body panels to give it more squarish contours, borrowing style elements from cadillac or bentley, would give it a more recognizably limo look.
Also, I've often wondered why movie stars put up with limos (and cars) that make them crawl out of the car and then stand up. Wouldn't it be more photogenic, or modest, or graceful, or regal, if they could stand up straight before stepping out? An elio might actually have a bit of advantage when it comes to adding a roof panel that tilts or slides out of the way. Because the roof is narrower and there's no door on the other side, there could be lots of reinforcement and chassis stiffening built into the frame.
