Sat in an Elio at NAIAS

"Master Cylinder" (mastercylinder28) 01/23/2016 at 13:12 • Filed to: None

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So the wife and I went down to NAIAS this morning to have a gander at all the cars and trucks on display. I was hoping to get a seat in the Focus RS, but unfortunately it was locked up “for your safety.” I did sit in an Focus ST, though, since I figured it’d be about the same. Not bad, but I can see where some of the complaints about the Recaros come from. Anyway, I sat in a lot of cars, and grumbled about a lot more that manufacturers brought and then locked up. Seemed like there weren’t nearly as many available for sitting in as in years past.

However, one of the cars that was available for sitting in was the Elio trike. It was actually quite a cool cockpit. Since you’re seated in the center of the car, it has a very racecar or fighter jet feel to it. Of course, it was made out of basically the cheapest materials in the world, but that’s to be expected when they’re aiming for a sub-$7,000 MSRP, and it’s not honestly any worse than I’ve seen on cars costing more than double or triple that (looking at you, everything produced by GM until like 2010). According to the rep, these bad boys are going to be hitting the roads at the end of this year.

I have been interested in the Elio for years now. I won’t be making a reservation since I don’t really need a second car, but it now seems as though they are actually going to happen. Maybe there can be a Spec Elio racing series?

Brian, The Life of > Master Cylinder 01/23/2016 at 13:37

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I really want this to happen, I honestly do. With my commute, I’d welcome a cheap, super efficient alternative to the Bolt and Model 3. I just don’t see this happening at the price and performance being claimed.

I sincerely hope I’m wrong.

AkursedX > Master Cylinder 01/23/2016 at 13:42

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That’s weird that you couldn’t sit in the RS. I went Monday and got to sit in it. Its a lot more cramped than my 16 STi unfortunately.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Master Cylinder 01/23/2016 at 14:05

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Apparently if you had your Porsche keys on you, you could go into a VIP room at the Porsche display. I missed that memo.... -_-

MM54 > Master Cylinder 01/23/2016 at 14:09

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I was at the show a week ago and sat in the RS - it’s just like any other focus inside (disappointing shifter included).

I didn’t even see the elio there - was it tucked away somewhere, or?

Übel > MM54 01/23/2016 at 14:19

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It was out front in the entryway, not in the show proper

Übel > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 14:19

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You didn’t miss much

MM54 > Übel 01/23/2016 at 14:28

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Was it right by the entry to the main hall, or? When I was there, there was some ugly concept right by the entrance to the show, with some ford race cars (including the GT) near the ticket line. I’d have liked to check it out if I knew it was there.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Übel 01/23/2016 at 14:41

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I can imagine. I heard all you could see was a new Turbo S and that was it.

That's gonna leave a mark! > Brian, The Life of 01/23/2016 at 16:55

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You interested in some beautiful land in Florida?

Übel > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 20:33

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Yeah, the good one was two years ago. They had finger sandwiches and coffee and it was on the second floor so you got a bit of a view.

Master Cylinder > Brian, The Life of 01/23/2016 at 23:36

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Same here, I have been following the Elio saga for years, hoping it will make it. I’m still somewhat skeptical, but it does keep inching closer and closer to being a real thing. I’m not holding my breath for it to hit its MPG and MSRP targets, but if it’s even in the ballpark it could be a big hit.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Master Cylinder 01/24/2016 at 07:38

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I’m still on the fence whether the Elio will turn out not to be a dead-end, but if it does get into production and sell well, I’ll be glad to see it. The first mainstream vehicle startup in a LONG time that has survived...

Master Cylinder > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 01/24/2016 at 09:15

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Yeah, I am hoping they make it too. I will probably even buy one if they do hit the market and don’t have any huge flaws, but I’m not quite confident enough to put down a deposit on one yet, either.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Master Cylinder 01/24/2016 at 09:36

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Same....I’m up in Canada, so the “American-made” thing they CONSTANTLY tote gets a bit irritating after awhile (no offense intended, I just mean that a lot of vehicles CLAIM things like that, but it’s rarely ever terribly true).

That being said, if they do make it, you folks south of the border will see a dealer network much more quickly than we ever will up here. They’d be a great runabout though, and OK for even the ocassional longer trip! :)