What's Coming Next?

[WilliamH]

It's funny, but I actually don't have a chip on my shoulder.
As a retired AT&T Bell Labs software development manager I have a problem with people making unsubstantiated statements. (And then making changes / edits when SHTF)
Since all of the following were listed as tests I'm not 100% sure which should come next since I'm not sure how much dyno testing they have done already:
List:
1) Underhood thermal & HV AC testing – 4 vehicles
2) Electrical – 12 vehicles
3) General inspection – all vehicles
4) Serviceability – 1 vehicle
5) Powertrain (to include altitude testing, emission certification, engine/transmission development & calibration, economy and software development & verification) – 9 vehicles
6) Interior – 4 vehicles
7) Noise, vibration & harness – 4 vehicles
8) Steering – 1 vehicle
9) Ride & handling (to include vehicle turning, objective measurements, NHTSA Fish Hook, tire wear and electronic stability) – 6 vehicles
10) Performance (to include engine/transmission shift validation, 0-60 mph, hill climb, cold temperature start-up and drivability and maximum speed) – 1 vehicle
11) Fuel systems – 1 vehicle
12) Brakes – 4 vehicles
13) Body systems – 12 vehicles
14) Durability – 7 vehicles
15) Safety tests – 8 vehicles
But a combination of 5, 8, 9, &10 seem logical after the the brakes (which probably includes ABS and traction control)

 

[WilliamH]

It's funny, but I actually don't have a chip on my shoulder.
As a retired AT&T Bell Labs software development manager I have a problem with people making unsubstantiated statements. (And then making changes / edits when SHTF)
Since all of the following were listed as tests I'm not 100% sure which should come next since I'm not sure how much dyno testing they have done already:
List:
1) Underhood thermal & HV AC testing – 4 vehicles
2) Electrical – 12 vehicles
3) General inspection – all vehicles
4) Serviceability – 1 vehicle
5) Powertrain (to include altitude testing, emission certification, engine/transmission development & calibration, economy and software development & verification) – 9 vehicles
6) Interior – 4 vehicles
7) Noise, vibration & harness – 4 vehicles
8) Steering – 1 vehicle
9) Ride & handling (to include vehicle turning, objective measurements, NHTSA Fish Hook, tire wear and electronic stability) – 6 vehicles
10) Performance (to include engine/transmission shift validation, 0-60 mph, hill climb, cold temperature start-up and drivability and maximum speed) – 1 vehicle
11) Fuel systems – 1 vehicle
12) Brakes – 4 vehicles
13) Body systems – 12 vehicles
14) Durability – 7 vehicles
15) Safety tests – 8 vehicles
But a combination of 5, 8, 9, &10 seem logical after the the brakes (which probably includes ABS and traction control)

Sorry that doesn't really match a single announcement.
Other than just mileage 84 HWY and 49 City there is no single thing that can really be announced.
Or at least not that Elio is in control of.

 

[champsman]

Here is an announcement that I haven't seen any place yet. Was looking at Google maps of Shreveport and saw Elio's name listed for the old GM plant

www.google.com/maps/search/general+motors+near+Shreveport,+LA/@32.4263349,-93.9220395,16.25z

 

[pistonboy]

I wonder EM will announce when all the E vehicles have been built.

I would consider that a milestone. (not huge but still a milestone)

 

[Sethodine]

I've been expecting updates on the Configurator for quite some time now, so I'm guessing we'll get that before we get news that the first batch of test vehicles are finished.

 

[DAVID BROWER]

And how exactly do you think they will certify MPG?

PUT A GALLON OF GAS IN THE E-1 MARSHMELLOW
AND SEE HOW FAR IT GOES .

RINSE & REPEAT .

 

[Ekh]

I've been expecting updates on the Configurator for quite some time now, so I'm guessing we'll get that before we get news that the first batch of test vehicles are finished.

I'm not sure we'll get announcements about batches of tests being completed, though we MAY get certain key results made public The reason: the test program is woven like a Jacquard tapestry: 23 cars doing 60+ tests, with a schedule that has to weave in and out to get them done. So it may take a couple of months to test, say, under hood thermal characteristics, because different cars may be doing that test at different times, and 4 cars are needed for that testing.. We do know Continental's doing the brake refinement (which involves testing, of course) now. And we know that as soon as possible one of these cars is going to be tested for mpg.

We know a little more about that. EPA wants the test to be "worst case" -- the heaviest car, all possible options, A/C running, etc. The EPA requires that ton the grounds that all he bells and whistles add to weight. Since Elio doesn't have its option list defined, this may slow down the gas mileage testing. Or perhaps they'll just add 100 extra pounds to compensate for things like the heated leather seat. Either way, Elio MUST get the mileage testing done to receive the ATVM loan. So I do think we'll see an announcement on that one test (which takes about 1 day to do at a qualified facility) sooner rather than later.

But they can't do the EPA test and still be messing around with things like frame and panel choices, or the brakes, for that matter. The EPA test car has be a running, fully-dressed model of the production vehicle. (No bait-and-switch permitted by EPA). The need for the official EPA test is real, but it can't be run until they have a road-worthy car. INFORMALLY, I bet they test the E-1 ASAP, and certainly test it on a road somewhere. That could be done as soon as the brakes are complete. There reason for doing that, aside from burning curiosity, is to see if they have to do anything more to boost MPG. They need to know that to start homing in on the real price of the car (which DOE ALSO requires, as part of the proof of financial viability requirement for the loan). Elio also needs to lock down the price and mileage as soon as possible because they've got to re-tune ALL their advertising, replacing "targeted" values with definite ones, both of which will most likely be "worse" than the goal values of 84 mpg / $6800.. Accordingly, the sooner they have a firm handle on cost and mpg, the sooner they can start dealing with reality in their PR and advertising.

It's kind of a dance, really -- and a lot of fun to watch.

 

[Ekh]

And how exactly do you think they will certify MPG?

PUT A GALLON OF GAS IN THE E-1 MARSHMELLOW
AND SEE HOW FAR IT GOES .

RINSE & REPEAT .

They'll probably do that on their own for private use, but they sure won't do that for the DOE. See above.

 

[DAVID BROWER]

Was looking at Google maps of Shreveport and saw Elio's name listed for the old GM plant
www.google.com/maps/search/general+motors+near+Shreveport,+LA/@32.4263349,-93.9220395,16.25z

THANKS FOR POSTING THIS . IT IS GREAT TO HAVE A SATELLITE VIEW OF THE FACILITY .
THE PLANT HAS FANTASTIC RAIL ACCESS AS WELL AS CLOSE PROXIMITY TO Hwy 20 .

 

[Muzhik]

The next big Elio news?

"ELIO ANNOUNCES PLANS FLYING CAR"
"Lightweight, powerful new engine, should permit cross country flight without need for rest stops"