For real this time? Elio Motors’ 84-mpg P5 prototype to debut at LA Auto Show

By Andrew Hard Published November 6, 2015

For the last few years, American startup Elio Motors has claimed that its three-wheeled, 84-mpg, $6,800 commuter car would be hitting the road soon. A car this fuel-efficient and stylistically unique for such little money is enticing to say the least, but a number of delays left potential customers and other interested parties wondering whether the vehicle would ever materialize. According the company, the wait is nearly over.

Elio Motors has announced that its P5 prototype vehicle — which will closely preview the eventual production version — will be launched at the 2015 LA Auto Show on November 19. A news conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. PST on that day, where more details of the car are expected to be revealed.

As of now, we expect the P5 to equip a 0.9-liter, three-cylinder engine developed specifically for Elio Motors that will produce 55 horsepower. Due to its low curb weight of approximately 1,250 pounds, the P5 will have a top speed of over 100 mph and be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds. Additionally, the two-seater boasts an 8.0-gallon fuel tank, and styling is expected to closely resemble the official CAD renderings shown above.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

“The P5 build is another important step in our march toward production and is the culmination of several important strategic initiatives we have completed or launched in the past several months,” said Elio. “The completion of our engine prototype, our offering to accredited investors, and our recent supplier summit are all excellent examples of the progress we continue to make every day.”

As of this writing, 46,866 reservations for the vehicle have been placed, and current estimates put the delivery date for the production version at the fourth quarter of 2016.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Volkswagen is pursuing the elusive entry-level EV with its ID. EVERY1 concept car

Volkswagen ID. EVERY1 concept car

Volkswagen is hoping to bring electric vehicles to the masses with its super affordable new EV concept. The ID. EVERY1 car will launch in Europe for just €20,000 (around $21,500) and could become the go-to entry-level vehicle for customers interested in EVs.

The small four-door hatchback was revealed as a concept car, with the production model set for a launch in 2027. The EVERY1 will join another affordable model, the ID 2all, which will be launched next year for €25,000 ($27,000), and Volkswagen promises there will be up to nine new models revealed by 2027.

Cars

I sat in the Xiaomi SU7, here are 5 features that every car needs

Xiaomi SU7 Max SUV first look

I’ve spent almost two decades reviewing most facets of consumer technology, but I’ve never been a huge car guy. For many years, it represented a way to get from A to B, but electric cars have changed this.

The best electric cars solve many of my biggest complaints with a car, and some of the best cars are being made by brands I would never have expected. I’ve sat in Sony’s upcoming car, the AFEELA, and I love the immersive entertainment experience, but one of my primary concerns is the lack of a killer use case for many of these features.

Audio / Video

Soon you’ll be able to enjoy Dolby Atmos Music in Cadillac EVs

A red Cadillac EV on a dark background with the Dolby and Cadillac emblems underneath.

Dolby Atmos is a pretty remarkable experience when heard within a properly tuned car cabin setup, as implemented by Rivian R1S and the Cadillac Optiq, in particular. Now, Dolby and Cadillac have announced that Atmos will be support across the entire line of Cadillac EVs -- which includes the Escalade IQL, Escalade IQ, Lyriq-V, Optiq (as we heard at CES), and Vistiq. Support will also extend into select 2025 models with an over-the-air update, although which are not a part of this announcement.

As we now seem to be spending more and more time in our cars (according to the Federal Highway Administration, Americans drive a staggering 3 trillion miles a year), having the best possible sound in our cars is even more desirable than in the past. As John Couling, Senior Vice President of Entertainment at Dolby Laboratories says, "Whether you are listening to music to pass the time on a long commute or sharing a special moment on a family road trip, music has the power to transform mundane moments into something remarkable." Chief Engineer at Cadillac, John Cockburn adds, "Together, [Cadillac and Dolby] are taking audio to new heights by ensuring the music experience stays true to the artist's original vision, delivering a sound experience that makes consumers feel like they are in the music studio with them."