Why The Prototypes Have To Wait On The Engine

[WilliamH]

It's the location of the headlights. Obviously, like any other vehicle made in USA for other markets, where the rule is to drive on the left, light units can be made to dip to the left, rather than to the right, a fairly simple change in the lens design. I understand that it's also acceptable for lights to dip vertically down, provided that a certain light pattern is produced (my USA market Honda Nighthawk 750 is like this).

The build regulations require the headlights to be no further than 400 mm from the outside edge of the vehicle. It's all to do with oncoming drivers to be able to correctly judge the full width of the vehicle. Although I haven't had the benefit of seeing an Elio in the flesh, so I could measure them, it appears to me that the P4 has the lights too far inboard. Another rule says only one set of headlights is allowed, so fitting auxiliary headlights and/or marker lights on the fenders unfortunately probably wouldn't satisfy the requirement.

Having put my self built Liege through the vehicle testing procedure, which took almost half a day, I know how thorough it is. Without a pass certificate, it is impossible to register a vehicle here. It would be a huge shame if Elio don't check the UK regulations and see what can be done about ensuring compliance. Because the only factory example of my type of car predated the testing procedure as it is now, I had to buy the official manual and build the car in accordance with it. My car passed the inspection first time out; many other similar cars did not. Something as fundamental as headlight placing is essential to get right.

Thanks for the info. "Your" 400mm (15.75 aprox) makes a lot of sense unlike a lot of government regulations.
I had some thoughts like that and had thought about clearance lights or an additional parking light.
Our ranch roads in Texas Hill Country don't necessarily meet normal width standards.

 

[Ekh]

Elio paid IAV up front for development. There wasn't a missed payment. IAV caused the postponement of the unveiling. I spoke to Elio today and they are planning on having a bigger event for the new unveiling date. This is what I understood based on what was said. They again confirmed that the Elio engine has been running and being tested.

Maybe they will have a new engine to "officially" start... and then maybe they will roll out the P4 with the new engine installed!!

This conforms with what I know. Another customer -- a really. really big one -- had an emergency that IAV had to address, which bumped Elio out.

 

[JEBar]

Elio paid IAV up front for development. There wasn't a missed payment. IAV caused the postponement of the unveiling. I spoke to Elio today and they are planning on having a bigger event for the new unveiling date. This is what I understood based on what was said. They again confirmed that the Elio engine has been running and being tested.

Maybe they will have a new engine to "officially" start... and then maybe they will roll out the P4 with the new engine installed!!

Elio said that the P4 is it. There will not be a P5. There is a slight change in the nose of the car but otherwise the P4 is the production version. There has been talk about a P5 in the blog, but Elio has confirmed to me that the P4 is it.

This conforms with what I know. Another customer -- a really. really big one -- had an emergency that IAV had to address, which bumped Elio out.

thanks for posting authoritative info .... my hope is the folks who have been dreaming up doom and gloom theories for the delay will read this info .... hopefully a new date will be soon released .... I do believe that EM could have done a better job of handling the information release on some recent issues, hopefully that too will be improved

 

[John Painter]

thanks for posting authoritative info .... my hope is the folks who have been dreaming up doom and gloom theories for the delay will read this info .... hopefully a new date will be soon released .... I do believe that EM could have done a better job of handling the information release on some recent issues, hopefully that too will be improved

Darn, someone's gonna kill my grump today.
[Broken External Image]

 

[Johnny Acree]

It's the location of the headlights. Obviously, like any other vehicle made in USA for other markets, where the rule is to drive on the left, light units can be made to dip to the left, rather than to the right, a fairly simple change in the lens design. I understand that it's also acceptable for lights to dip vertically down, provided that a certain light pattern is produced (my USA market Honda Nighthawk 750 is like this).

The build regulations require the headlights to be no further than 400 mm from the outside edge of the vehicle. It's all to do with oncoming drivers to be able to correctly judge the full width of the vehicle. Although I haven't had the benefit of seeing an Elio in the flesh, so I could measure them, it appears to me that the P4 has the lights too far inboard. Another rule says only one set of headlights is allowed, so fitting auxiliary headlights and/or marker lights on the fenders unfortunately probably wouldn't satisfy the requirement.

Having put my self built Liege through the vehicle testing procedure, which took almost half a day, I know how thorough it is. Without a pass certificate, it is impossible to register a vehicle here. It would be a huge shame if Elio don't check the UK regulations and see what can be done about ensuring compliance. Because the only factory example of my type of car predated the testing procedure as it is now, I had to buy the official manual and build the car in accordance with it. My car passed the inspection first time out; many other similar cars did not. Something as fundamental as headlight placing is essential to get right.

Is the Can-Am motorcycle available over there? Wouldn't it have the same problem?

 

[John Painter]

It's the location of the headlights. Obviously, like any other vehicle made in USA for other markets, where the rule is to drive on the left, light units can be made to dip to the left, rather than to the right, a fairly simple change in the lens design. I understand that it's also acceptable for lights to dip vertically down, provided that a certain light pattern is produced (my USA market Honda Nighthawk 750 is like this).

The build regulations require the headlights to be no further than 400 mm from the outside edge of the vehicle. It's all to do with oncoming drivers to be able to correctly judge the full width of the vehicle. Although I haven't had the benefit of seeing an Elio in the flesh, so I could measure them, it appears to me that the P4 has the lights too far inboard. Another rule says only one set of headlights is allowed, so fitting auxiliary headlights and/or marker lights on the fenders unfortunately probably wouldn't satisfy the requirement.

Having put my self built Liege through the vehicle testing procedure, which took almost half a day, I know how thorough it is. Without a pass certificate, it is impossible to register a vehicle here. It would be a huge shame if Elio don't check the UK regulations and see what can be done about ensuring compliance. Because the only factory example of my type of car predated the testing procedure as it is now, I had to buy the official manual and build the car in accordance with it. My car passed the inspection first time out; many other similar cars did not. Something as fundamental as headlight placing is essential to get right.

I know the P4 "as is" wouldn't pass EU requirements for side panel blinkers in Hungary either. I believe Elio mentioned they would not be exported for several years until after getting to full US production, plenty of time to work out such details.

 

[Rickb]

thanks for posting authoritative info .... my hope is the folks who have been dreaming up doom and gloom theories for the delay will read this info .... hopefully a new date will be soon released .... I do believe that EM could have done a better job of handling the information release on some recent issues, hopefully that too will be improved

I've been experiencing some questioning gloom (NOT DOOM) over the past three weeks after some 6 + years of totally positive support. What makes the above statements from various member's posts saying I heard this or I heard that from EM authoritative? Maybe the tone is authoritative but the information itself leaves question in my mind. If IAV was the issue with the engine delay, why didn't Elio Motor's just say that? EM is the direct cause of wonder for me and I agree EM needs to improve their handling of news releases.

My current outlook will change with a funding secured news release. I guess I will stop speculating on all of the other speculation, unless it's all positive, until I hear news that funding is confirmed. Highly likely, but the clock is ticking.

 

[Joshua Caldwell]

It must have been very weird for the cleaning person- if they stand/sit too long in one spot and they're in the dark! I do remember a study that said the energy used to start-up a cold bulb- was the same to just keep it on for a few hours. In my area the supermarkets use a motion devise, and as you are walking down the (freezer) aisles they light up sections as you go along- many large office buildings keep their lights on overnight for the savings they get by leaving 'em on. Sorry about your head, but the permeant damage is reflected in your posts, I'll go easier on you now ( i jest )

My workplace is the same, if you're having a difficult time in the bathroom you're doing it by the light of the exit sign.

 

[Smitty901]

If you pay a company for both a product and service in advance, and that company fails to met a date you should have some compensation coming.
If not then once again who made that deal?
If delay was caused by IVA why would that have not been made clear at the time and reasons given. This is not a none of your business issue. Getting that engine start on time on video was very important to ELIO, after the announced delay in production. This was not a simple case of someone was late for work we will get at it tomorrow. The engine is the story right now, the chassis has been running around for some time with a GEO engine. Nothing much else was to happen until that engine was ready. As of today it is not

 

[mag44]

Word on Face Book that some have got a non refundable refund. Any news here?

"My current outlook will change with a funding secured news release. I guess I will stop speculating on all of the other speculation, unless it's all positive, until I hear news that funding is confirmed. Highly likely, but the clock is ticking."

I think more and more may be thinking your way Rickb.

Think I may send in for a refund and to see how loud they scream.