The P5: What Would You Change?

[Frim]

Alright, so here are my 3D mockups.

First is the "shark fin" I mentioned. This follows the existing curves of the Elio, so it should be close in aero/drag to the standard Elio.

You'll notice that the rear hatch (in blue) is actually quite long and large compared to the amount of space created by the shark fin. There is even less room for a door than there was before!

The second one here is a "deliverator" model with more vertical walls and a rear hatch that is just as wide as the stock hatch (although much shorter length-wise)

Because the door is just as wide as the stock hatch, you don't really gain any horizontal space. And even so, the bottom-right picture shows the original body lines where metal frames would be, which would get in the way. However, it would be able to hold more luggage than the stock Elio!

And finally, just for fun, here are some alternative storage options I doodled during my lunch break:

The first one is an extension of the rear skirt. The license plate is attached to it. It adds enough volume for about a backpack or a few grocery bags.
The second one is a set of cargo bins made to look like jet intakes, and even have banks of red LEDs in the "exhaust" that can be wired into the brake lights. (Some solution will need to be found to access the gas cap).
The third one is a set of cargo bins made to look like the rocket pods found on helicopter gunships (see picture below).

And then there is the roof-top car carrier model from Sears.

 

[Rickb]

I plan to adapt to medium size pizza as part of my weight loss program. How many of them can you stack in a 10" space?

Solution: Fold those XL Pizzas in half..........creating Calzones........they will take up less space than a medium pizza.

 

[abcdol]

Alright, so here are my 3D mockups.

The second one here is a "deliverator" model with more vertical walls and a rear hatch that is just as wide as the stock hatch (although much shorter length-wise)

Because the door is just as wide as the stock hatch, you don't really gain any horizontal space. And even so, the bottom-right picture shows the original body lines where metal frames would be, which would get in the way. However, it would be able to hold more luggage than the stock Elio!

I like this design better than original elio p5. We need a head room for passenger. Hopefully elio can hear us

 

[Sethodine]

I like this design better than original elio p5. We need a head room for passenger. Hopefully elio can hear us

I haven't sat in the P5 yet, but I hear there is a few more inches of backseat headroom than the P4. When I sat in the P4, the back seat roof was just barely too low to be comfortable for my 6' 2" height.

Also, welcome! While Elio Motors (EM) would never admit to it, we often see blog entries on the Elio website that coincidentally bring up a topic we were just discussing. I'm pretty sure somebody there is lurking on these forums, but at this point I don't expect to see any design changes for the first model year of production. In fact, they just announced that they've finalized the frame design for manufacture, so no change in roofline is going to happen for the first model.

 

[Rob Croson]

I like this design better than original elio p5. We need a head room for passenger. Hopefully elio can hear us

Raising the roofline in back will not happen for the first generation Elios. Such a redesign would have a negative impact on aerodynamics, ruining the "kammback" design. (Check Wikipedia for details.)

Also, I understand that the P5 is quite roomy in back already.

 

[TCBronson]

Very creative with all the ideas for additional storage. I think some folks want the Elio to be an all round vehicle that can do everything and maybe they are forgetting that it's original intent is a commuter. Enough space to carry a briefcase or back pack or a set of golf clubs and a passenger when needed. It is supposed to be an AND vehicle. So if you need more storage and space it might be better to take your other vehicle or even rent a larger vehicle on those occasions when more space is needed. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Sethodine]

Very creative with all the ideas for additional storage. I think some folks want the Elio to be an all round vehicle that can do everything and maybe they are forgetting that it's original intent is a commuter. Enough space to carry a briefcase or back pack or a set of golf clubs and a passenger when needed. It is supposed to be an AND vehicle. So if you need more storage and space it might be better to take your other vehicle or even rent a larger vehicle on those occasions when more space is needed. Just my 2 cents.

Point taken. I suppose I just love pondering the storage issue, since so many people seem to think it is an issue. And that's just it: as long as people think they need storage, there will be an aftermarket for storage solutions

What might be good, though, is some sort of "airporter" storage rack. A lightweight rack that can fold up when not in use, or can be folded down to fit a full-size luggage bag (the square sort with wheels on). That way, two people could haul all their luggage to the airport or on long-distance road trips, but without any large investment or cumbersome installation.

 

[TCBronson]

Necessity is the mother of invention! If some one can think it then someone can make it. I do like your "artist renderings" very creative. I did notice you haven't mentioned a trailer which invites a whole new set of problems. Hoe to add a trailer hitch and all the liability issues and perhaps voiding the warranty. I am sure the Elio was not designed to tow anything.

 

[Sethodine]

Necessity is the mother of invention! If some one can think it then someone can make it. I do like your "artist renderings" very creative. I did notice you haven't mentioned a trailer which invites a whole new set of problems. Hoe to add a trailer hitch and all the liability issues and perhaps voiding the warranty. I am sure the Elio was not designed to tow anything.

Precisely, the transmission has not been rated for towing, so it will void the warranty to tow with it. But I'm betting that a towing hitch will be made none-the-less, and people will tow anyways

 

[WilliamH]

Precisely, the transmission has not been rated for towing, so it will void the warranty to tow with it. But I'm betting that a towing hitch will be made none-the-less, and people will tow anyways

????? Where did you hear that the transmission has not bee rated for towing and by whom?????
For example, I can understand where overloading a trailer could destabilize the car.
That's one of the reasons to have electric brakes on trailers.
Not to mention improperly loading the trailer to the point where it has negative tongue weight.
How many people really understand the factors in safely loading a trailer?