Independent American car manufacturer Elio Motors is determined to finally put into production its three-wheel vehicle which the company calls as the autocycle and officially as the ‘Elio.’
Last week, Elio Motors has forged a partnership with Canadian company Linamar Corporation to produce the engines of its groundbreaking three-wheel vehicle, which is being positioned by Elio Motors founder and chief executive officer Paul Elio as a high mileage and low-cost eco-trike for years, reports Gas2.
Despite reportedly incurring $54 million in debts, Elio Motors is determined to alter the course of US transportation when its revolutionary and groundbreaking three-wheel vehicle finally rolls out in the fourth quarter of this year.
It is very clear in the company’s mission statement that Elio Motors want to provide American motorists with a fun-to-drive, super economical personal transportation alternative that is affordable, safe, and environmentally-friendly.
With its 84 miles per gallon fuel efficiency, it will be an ultra high mileage two-seater that shall come with a very affordable base price of only $6,800, describes the company website.
Since opening reservations for the three-wheeler sometime last year, Elio Motors has received 53,201 to this date and it seems that the figure would increase further as the official unveiling of the Elio draws near.
A brainchild of an automotive enthusiast
The autocycle is a brainchild of Paul Elio, an automotive enthusiast himself, who sized up the prevailing status quo of personal transportation several years ago.
Elio saw the rising costs of the vehicles that Americans drive and also noted the fuel prices spike to record-highs almost daily. He also observed that Americans were struggling with the economy that was taking too much and giving back too little.
So he decided right there and then that the world, particularly the Americans, was ready for something new. The result of his forward thinking is the three-wheel masterpiece, which is a reflection of automotive brilliance that bears his name.
Elio is expected to be a stand-alone solution for today’s generation of drivers. It is the answer to a need for a more efficient and practical form of transportations because people still need to get around. The vehicle provides that new way that has never been so different, so sexy, so fun, so practical, and smart too.
A rare blend of power
According to the company official statement, Elio Motors has already designed an engine with a rare blend of power and fuel efficiency that could have significant market potential beyond powering the Elio.
Linamar will use its global presence and access to international manufacturers in automotive marine and industrial markets to identify other uses for Elio’s engine and open up potential revenue for the independent American car manufacturer.
In collaboration with IAV, Elio has actually designed and developed an all-new 0.9-lter three-cylinder gasoline engine for its super efficient autocycle.
Linamar also welcomed the partnership with Elio Motors. Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar Corp, said that the alliance with Elio gives their company a great penetration into ultra-high mileage vehicles. She said that it gives Linamar a chance to sell the highly-efficient engine to a variety of markets and customers.
Elio Motors says that the engine will be manufactured at its assembly plant in Shreveport in Lousiana. It is targeting next year for the start of production, which put its autocycle already three years late from its original planned release date.
With its decision to design and develop its own engine for manufacturing by Linamar Corp, Elio Motors become the first startup vehicle manufacturer to develop its own internal combustion engine in the automotive industry in more than 60 years, says Gino Raffin, vice president of manufacturing of Elio Motors.
Raffin added that they are looking forward to working with Linamar to manufacture the engine soon and move it toward commercial production, details PR Newswire.
Early this year Elio Motors publicly came out to state that it is looking to build as many as 25 prototypes of its ground-breaking three-wheel vehicle prior to production.
Apparently, the 25 engineering and test vehicles will be used to conduct a variety of final engineering and validation tests that will allow the company to make final adjustments prior to mass production.