This week's CE Week Conference & Exhibit in New York City would not have been complete without the introduction of a new concept in green automobiles.
Coming from Elio Motors, an American startup, The Elio car is at once reminiscent of a 1930s race car and a Flash Gordon-like, futuristic personal transportation module. Another significant retro feature of the Elio? The price. With a five-speed manual transmission, the Elio retails for $6,800. Add an automatic transmission and your sticker shock is still just a tingly $7,400. Comparatively speaking, it harkens back to the days of the original Volkswagen Beetle. For an American-made car -- a former GM plant in Shreveport, La., is the manufacturing plant -- that's even more remarkable.
Unlike what we commonly consider to be indicative of a "green" car, the Elio is powered by a three-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected gas engine. Not a lithium battery or plug socket in sight. So where does the Elio show us the green? With an estimate of 84 mpg on the highway, 49 mpg in city driving. Yet the vehicle claims a respectable 0-60 time of 9.6 seconds and a top speed over 100 mph.
The Elio is a two-seater, but not in the traditional sense. Its two seats are front and back, not side-by-side. The driver would feel more like a pilot of a single-seat fighter plane. Two seats, three cylinder engine -- and three wheels. Yes, the Elio rambles on with two front wheels and a single, centered tail wheel. Naturally, it is the front wheels that drive the car.
The interior is austere, composed of basic, generic-looking gauges, switches, steering wheel and trim pieces. The seats are wide and comfortable and standard equipment includes air conditioning, AM/FM stereo radio, heater, defrost, three airbags, anti-lock brakes, power windows and door locks.
The company sees its customer base as those looking for a basic commuter vehicle, an inexpensive addition to a family fleet, a first car for new drivers, an affordable student vehicle, and for retirees, collectors, enthusiasts and motorcyclists.
The company also foresees a lucrative aftermarket for the Elio, with third-party suppliers invited to sell upgraded trim and functional accessories through Elio Motors. The company has also contracted with Pep Boys Automotive Stores as their exclusive service providers for Elio vehicles.
The Elio will be unleashed on American roads in September 2015. Preorders are now being taken online. According to Joel Sheltrown, Elio Motors' vice president of government affairs, the company has already taken over 22,000 reservations for the car; well in excess of sales of the Nissan Leaf, a pure electric green vehicle.
