Morphic Studies

[BigWarpGuy]

Yes, definitely I like sliding doors. Very much depends on the geometry of the body. For some shapes the sliders will involve too much weight or too much complexity. It works best if the body shape has straight horizontal lines, one along the top of the door, bottom and to the rear of it near the middle. And these need to be slightly longer than the intended opening.
The swing-ups are heavy, hard to seal, and require some internal space, but are very simple mechanically.

The alternative entry types I consider are,
Gullwing,(up)
Butterfly,(forward at 45degrees up)
Suicide,(backward, possibly at some angle)
Slider, (slide out or slide back, never slide-in for this platform)
Swing-Ups,(rotate up)
Clamshell,(or hatch, single hinge axis or multiple link arms)
Cockpit/Canopy-Slider, (high step-over)
Multiple-Segment-Folding,
Multiple-Segment-Slider,
Multiple-Segment-CenterPost(horizontal or vertical),
Lay-Flat.(down/inverted gull)
Hybrids of the above.

The Sam-Cree had a Multi-Segment-Folding with horizontal split.

And then there is an array of blind and visible hinge types.

Would the disappearing door be considered an alternative?
CNET
Disappearing Car Door - YouTube.

 

[Made in USA]

While the disappearing door is cool, I like shape shifting wheels better. Put these on an Elio and it would be a blast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpsjKZUQEbs

 

[Made in USA]

I sent a message to Elio about the shape shifting wheels. They thought it was cool.

 

[Made in USA]

This one has four wheels, but still called an Autocycle. It seats two, like the Elio.

 

[AriLea]

Maybe, the Arch Type of the Solo Autocycle category

 

[AriLea]

Some other new images

works

 

[AriLea]

 

[AriLea]

Most easily accomplished as an Electric. Small Engine behind a solo driver could also be done.

 

[3wheelin]

They're all awesome designs and as much as I want to drool looking at it, none of them will be cheap if it ever gets made. The low targeted price of 7K for the ELIO or even the Ampere at 9.9K with it's really beautiful lines are just a come on to attract interest and hope for reservations to trickle in but eventually their success lies on acquiring massive funding for mass production. I've supported the ELIO for years having put in 1K early on and will continue to do so until they reach production but I honestly believe the cost will be too high for them to sell at that targeted price and made in the USA, it's just my opinion that I've accepted.

 

[AriLea]

Style differences do not have to be that expensive. Still, I think if Elio were produced there would be enough interest for an upscale model. Just my opinion.