Posted on 03/08/2015 11:52:20 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Elio Motors today announced it has unveiled its new 0.9 liter, 3-cylinder engine prototype, completing one of the company's most important stages of development.
With a goal of up to 84 MPG and a projected top speed of more than 100 MPH, the enclosed, three-wheeled Elio requires an engine with a unique blend of power and efficiency that simply doesn't exist on the market today. Elio Motors, which plans to sell the vehicle for $6,800 when it launches in the first half of 2016, turned to world-class engine developer IAV to create a new technology that would meet the company's needs.
"We are literally trying to reinvent the auto industry, so why go the conventional route and rework someone else's engine?" said Paul Elio, President and CEO of Elio Motors. "There really was nothing available that combined the speed and power that we want and our customers deserve. IAV came through with an outstanding execution of today's best technology that will be a cornerstone to delivering a world-class vehicle."
To provide its customers with high fuel efficiency and still provide the performance consistent with today's passenger vehicles, the Elio Motors engine must operate efficiently at two different loads – lower loads representative of highway cruising, and more demanding loads associated with the fast starts of city driving.
Several engine components, including the cylinder block, cylinder heads, CAM cover, front cover, oil pan, crankshaft, camshaft, valve train, pistons, connecting rods, bearings and water pump were developed specifically for Elio Motors. The final parts were recently machined and assembled and the prototype was started and run through several tests on a dynamometer.
"We are extremely pleased with our first run on the dynamometer," Elio said. "Seeing this new technology come to fruition has been one of the most exciting stages in our history. This prototype puts us right where we need to be at this stage of development."
Elio and its manufacturing partner Comau will build the vehicle at a world-class manufacturing facility in Shreveport where General Motors previously built the Hummer H3 and Chevy Colorado.
Currently on a nationwide tour, the vehicle prototype has developed an enthusiastic grass-roots following and more than 40,000 people have made reservations for a spot in line to buy one when they go to production. When the Elio goes to market, it will create 1,500 jobs at the facility. In addition, the Elio will use 90 percent North American content, creating another 1,500 jobs at its supplier partner companies. These manufacturing jobs will in turn create approximately 18,000 indirect jobs across the country.
About Elio Motors
Founded by car enthusiast Paul Elio in 2008, Elio Motors Inc. represents a revolutionary approach to manufacturing an ultra-high-mileage vehicle. The three-wheeled Elio is engineered to attain a highway mileage rating of up to 84 mpg while providing the comfort of amenities such as power windows, power door lock and air conditioning, accompanied by the safety of multiple air bags and an aerodynamic, enclosed vehicle body. Elio's first manufacturing site will be in Shreveport, La. For more information, visit www.eliomotors.com or www.facebook.com/ElioMotors.
About IAV in North America
IAV Group is an engineering and technical consultancy servicing the global automotive industry with over 6,000 employees worldwide. As a recognized leader in the specification, design, development, validation and production launch of advanced vehicle and powertrain systems, IAV Automotive Engineering deploys a leading team of technical experts, engineering tools and program processes from its North American Headquarters in Northville, Mich.
Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/180082-Elio-Motors-Engine.mp4
SOURCE Elio Motors
registered as a motorcycle but doesn’t need a crash helmet
Actually they seem to be exploiting a loophole in the certification of cars. Being 3 wheels, it’s considered a motorcycle to EPA, so the big car companies don’t get any EPA credit for selling those types of vehicles. The motorcycle manufacturers don’t care about that market either, as it’s too much like a car.
So we’ll see how they do. It could be very interesting.
PR News Wire is sometimes a pretty good source. Thanks for cruising it.
“Morgan has been building 3 wheeled cars for about 100 years now. Do their vehicles turn over in a 30mph wind?”
Probably not, seeing that there’s no passenger compartment structure for the wind to work against. Good luck with *that* anywhere north of Miami in February.
Avoid 10s of thousands of dollars in safety and anti-pollution equipment since it is a motorcycle for regulatory purposes. See also the Polaris Slingshot already in the market. I understand that Morgan has also re-entered the US market on a limited basis.
Morgans were designed for the UK where the weather is NEVER Miami - like.
Morgans are not, however, for wimps.
You can get laid in the back seat of a 1966 Pontiac Bonneville. Try that in an Elio!! DON’T WANT!!!
I don't know, but I did notice every one of those cars were equipped with roll bars. What does that tell you?
......a few Austin, SFO and Seattle buyers!
Thanks for the explanation. I learned something from your post.
**All-New Internal-Combustion Engine in 60 Years***
Wasn’t the Wankel engine invented 60 years ago? What ever happened to it!
I thought three wheeled “dune buggys” had been banned as unsafe!
I think the EPA mainly wiped out the Wankel due to emissions but they had a lot of trouble keeping the rotor seals tight enough to not use oil and lose compression.
They certainly don’t sound safe, given the terrain that they travel on. For street use, 3 wheels have been around virtually from day 1.
If you put the single wheel in front, it is very unsafe, as it will tip in a braking turn. Those were the type of trikes that were taken off the market.
We are very interested in buying one but will not put up any money on a product that is not in production. They keep moving the production date back which I find worrisome.
That is not an efficient design. Reciprocating engines lose enough power to friction with the piston perpendicular to the crankshaft, this will be much worse!
Elio Motors Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OPELEY0T6c
Elio vehicle review - Lobsterfest 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhug1cuA8hE
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