Wheel Fenders, Fairings, Skirts, Covers

[NSTG8R]

It will be easy to have more than one set of wheel fenders as EM has already told us that the open fenders would be an option and the fenders will be available in their catalog for future ordering. I expect this to be the most common body mod on the Elio as it will be relatively inexpensive and very easy for anyone to do. Also just about everyone who opts for some upgraded wheels will want to show them off under various styles of custom fender.

As you mentioned EM had to integrate the headlights for better aerodynamics however once sales really get moving it would not surprise me at all if body kits start becoming available as it is not supposed to be very hard to change the body panels. I can very easily see P3 and P2 style front ends as it would only require a new hood and front fender panels with a headlight housing, new headlights, and some extensions for the wiring. I believe we will eventually even see more extensive body modifications kits which attempt to change the entire look of the vehicle.

Nicely put Goofyone! Personally, I like the way the P4 looks, right out of the box. Gonna be my back-and-forth vehicle until I retire (8 years), saving me around $2500 or better per year in gas. Any modification will be purely to improve the mpg. Probably buy a second one in the future just to "play with" mod-wise.

 

[Joshua Caldwell]

It will be easy to have more than one set of wheel fenders as EM has already told us that the open fenders would be an option and the fenders will be available in their catalog for future ordering. I expect this to be the most common body mod on the Elio as it will be relatively inexpensive and very easy for anyone to do. Also just about everyone who opts for some upgraded wheels will want to show them off under various styles of custom fender.

As you mentioned EM had to integrate the headlights for better aerodynamics however once sales really get moving it would not surprise me at all if body kits start becoming available as it is not supposed to be very hard to change the body panels. I can very easily see P3 and P2 style front ends as it would only require a new hood and front fender panels with a headlight housing, new headlights, and some extensions for the wiring. I believe we will eventually even see more extensive body modifications kits which attempt to change the entire look of the vehicle.

Watching the Apple Watch product launch video... imagine how Apple would handle the Elio Fairing Launch

 

[goofyone]

Nicely put Goofyone! Personally, I like the way the P4 looks, right out of the box. Gonna be my back-and-forth vehicle until I retire (8 years), saving me around $2500 or better per year in gas. Any modification will be purely to improve the mpg. Probably buy a second one in the future just to "play with" mod-wise.

My plans are about the same as I will be using my first Elio as my primary vehicle and may do some MPG improvement mods such as a belly pan. Eventually I do hope to acquire Elio #2 which will then become my primary vehicle and Elio #1 will be come the vehicle to have all kinds of fun with possibly even including a performance engine rebuild or whole engine swap.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

Motorsickle.

think he used motorsigh to rhyme with i don't want to die, just....

 

[outsydthebox]

I seem to think...for some of us...The elio won't be saving us any money! I was "bitten" by the customizing / personalizing bug many years ago. A little "ocd" too...gotta make it better! Probably spend a few $K (in money and time) just to try to improve mileage by 10%....more than I'll ever get back in fuel savings. I will have fun, tho!

 

[Snick]

I hope Elio eventually decides to release more information on airflow patterns over the car. I am sure the shrouded wheels cut down on air turbulence and drag however it would be interesting to visually see the difference in computer simulations or even better in a wind tunnel.

I won't be surprised if some owners perform smoke testing and post a video. You could probably get 80% of the aero drag reduction with a trailing baffle alone (with clever design). I can see a healthy cottage industry around aero and style mods.

 

[Snick]

Wheels on F1 cars are fully open. They may be more aerodynamic if completely covered, but are gorgeous fully exposed and evidently does not affect the aero that much.
Wheels make the vehicle; covering them up just kills the beauty of the vehicle, IMO.

It affects aero massively. F1 is about brute power and force, not finesse.

 

[RevTriker]

I do agree that the P3's "Prowler" wheels do look cool...guess that's one reason Prowlers bring pretty good money. But also agree that the airstream striking the front of the wheel drives a good portion of it up and actually tries to fit it that small space between the wheel and the upper wheel fender which severely adds drag and cuts MPG and might also start vibrating badly at the 100+ mph they are shooting for (not that I plan on driving that fast). If the fend is made of composite material like the rest of the autocycle it will eventually crack and fail if vibration gets too severe. I think Paul Elio is on right track with the P4 just might need to tweek the two tone color scheme.

 

[NSTG8R]

It affects aero massively. F1 is about brute power and force, not finesse.

Absolutely huge hp to weight ratio Snick. And as for the post before that, are you referring to something like vents in the rear wheel fairing that exit out the back? Really not sure myself why the P4's rear was squared off...I'm sure they had their reasons.

 

[zelio]

Absolutely huge hp to weight ratio Snick. And as for the post before that, are you referring to something like vents in the rear wheel fairing that exit out the back? Really not sure myself why the P4's rear was squared off...I'm sure they had their reasons.

The explanation at the time the P4 was revealed is that it improved the aerodynamics of the wind flow pattern over the entire vehicle. They actually had some visuals to demonstrate it but it has been so long I don't remember where they are. It might help you look, if you are interested, if you know the P4 was unveiled in January. :-) Z