Earlier this year, we saw the unveiling of a brand new engine in Michigan, with a relatively modest output of 60 horsepower packed in just a 0.9 liter body with three cylinders, and now Elio Motors have just unveiled their latest P5 prototype which incorporates the new engine and also brings various interesting features to the table. The company has been making a lot of progress in their work lately and it looks like they have a real potential to change the market and make a positive impact if they play their cards right.
This is reportedly the first model that the company has unveiled using a custom-made engine, as previously their prototypes were fitted with stock models that didn’t really impress with anything special. Now, the car is starting to take some shape and it’s getting its own unique charm thanks to not only the engine, but its overall approach to design and style.
Reports about the performance of the car haven’t really changed much, and buyers are still going to get the same expected power output and top speed capabilities – and for the form factor of the Elio Motors car, the figures are actually quite good. It doesn’t exactly look like a car that one would expect to reach a top speed of above 100 mph, but it’s apparently capable of that, and it also has a pretty good acceleration, although it’s nothing special in this regard.
It’s worth noting that the situation with the legal classification of the car is still not clear. Some publications report that it is still classified as a motorcycle, but on the other hand there have also been reports that Elio were in talks with government representatives to get the legislation changed. There are some clear issues with categorizing this vehicle as a motorcycle, especially when one considers the requirement that motorcycle riders wear a helmet at all times.
This would obviously not make much sense with a vehicle like this, and it actually looks like Elio are paying attention to the safety of the car so a requirement to wear a helmet sounds even more ridiculous in this context. Still, the law is a law and if the company is not able to get the legislation changed then they are going to face some trouble with their push on the market. The car is already quite successful among fans and people are expecting to see it eagerly, but an issue like this could potentially impair its ability to get far on the market.
There are other claims about custom-made parts used in the model that will apparently drive up its market value even higher. The dashboard is reportedly being custom designed for the new model, and it could work very well with the unique form factor of the car if it’s done right. There are also other points where the car could use some custom work, but we’ll see what Elio are planning to do about that once the model is out.
In the meantime, the company is continuing with their plans to release the model for the low price of $6,800. If their production goes through smoothly, then we should see the new car in about a year. There has been some minor skepticism from some critics regarding the release date projections, but as the company evolves, they are bound to get the hang of bringing their releases out on the market on time.