The Elio Engine

[outsydthebox]

...At this point I'd be excited if they just produced the engine for sale to third parties....That way the engines would already have the reputation of being all they're hyped up to be, or they'd know if they got a turkey on their hands.

As Paul has said, this engine has been designed specifically, for maximum efficiency, in a vehicle of specific weight and aerodynamic profile, ie the Elio. Tell me, what other vehicle meets that criteria? So, I will go out on a limb and say, In any other vehicle, this engine will be disappointing. As for "seeing a prototype?" ....one has been on tour for several months. And pictures of the actual engine have been on this forum for over a week. And they already "know" the engine performs better than expected as it has already been run.

 

[carzes]

As Paul has said, this engine has been designed specifically, for maximum efficiency, in a vehicle of specific weight and aerodynamic profile, ie the Elio. Tell me, what other vehicle meets that criteria? So, I will go out on a limb and say, In any other vehicle, this engine will be disappointing. As for "seeing a prototype?" ....one has been on tour for several months. And pictures of the actual engine have been on this forum for over a week. And they already "know" the engine performs better than expected as it has already been run.

The engine doesn't care if it's in a car, an aircraft, or a submarine. The only thing relevant to the engine is how much load is on the output shaft. So long as it's used in an application with a similar load characteristic it will have similar performance. If it spins a bearing or throws a rod while driving a generator or a water pump within it's designed load range, there's no reason to think it would fare any better turning a transmission input shaft.
And the only thing they have actually built is a 'mule' which looks something like the final product, has an interior that might be similar, a dash that probably won't be similar, a suspension that won't be quite the same, an engine that certainly will NOT be used, and handling and performance characteristics which we are assured indicate NOTHING about the final version. Prototype? It's a marketing brochure with wheels. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it just is what it is.

 

[wheaters]

That was great wheaters. Very cool you could see the engine run.

It was! I also watched the first run of the car at RAF Wittering.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

As Paul has said, this engine has been designed specifically, for maximum efficiency, in a vehicle of specific weight and aerodynamic profile, ie the Elio. Tell me, what other vehicle meets that criteria? So, I will go out on a limb and say, In any other vehicle, this engine will be disappointing. As for "seeing a prototype?" ....one has been on tour for several months. And pictures of the actual engine have been on this forum for over a week. And they already "know" the engine performs better than expected as it has already been run.

"runs better than expected", but who besides EM staff and some PeP Boys in H. S training class have seen this?

 

[outsydthebox]

"runs better than expected", but who besides EM staff and some PeP Boys in H. S training class have seen this?

I have NO reason to believe the EM staff members comment was anything but truthful.

 

[outsydthebox]

The engine doesn't care if it's in a car, an aircraft, or a submarine. The only thing relevant to the engine is how much load is on the output shaft. So long as it's used in an application with a similar load characteristic it will have similar performance. If it spins a bearing or throws a rod while driving a generator or a water pump within it's designed load range, there's no reason to think it would fare any better turning a transmission input shaft.
And the only thing they have actually built is a 'mule' which looks something like the final product, has an interior that might be similar, a dash that probably won't be similar, a suspension that won't be quite the same, an engine that certainly will NOT be used, and handling and performance characteristics which we are assured indicate NOTHING about the final version. Prototype? It's a marketing brochure with wheels. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it just is what it is.

I'm glad we are in agreement.

 

[Dusty921]

It's a marketing brochure with wheels. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it just is what it is.[/QUOTE]

Design starts with ideas; ideas, tested, become prototypes; prototypes, tested, become products. In order to find out the Geo motor wouldn't cut it, EM had to have a prototype to test it in. If along the way you can use a prototype to sell the product, so much the better.
This is the way things get built.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

Don't you talk about Pep Boys that way.

and why are they not forced by those P.C.- Pep Boys & Girls? lol

 

[ScarecrowRepair]

Until it is running ELIO does not have an engine. The have a cute paper weight.

Until the engine is mounted in a body, ELIO does not have a body. They have a cute picture.

Until the engine and body are riding on tires ....

 

[JEBar]

if they were to start building another motor and engine at the same time, I wonder which would be completed first .... so far as we know, they have yet to mount a transmission onto the IAV engine .... while I can't believe they haven't done extensive design/computer simulations, I can't help but wonder how long it will take to get them properly fitted and mounted