Elio is a 3-wheeled hybrid vehicle which looks like a Can-Am with a roof and cockpit, but in fact it's only a copy. Still we're in doubt as to whether we should say Elio is a car or a trike. It mixes DNA from both worlds and the price and mileage seem to be it's strong points.
The inventors of Elio claim it blends together the compact size of a Smart with the maneuverability and stance of a Can-Am Spyder.
Now, taking a good look at Elio's tires, we can only guess it won't lean like a motorcycle... and this makes it a bit unstable when turning at higher speed. And this makes it a bit weird, even with the 5-star safety rating advertised by the creators.
For commuting and just rolling around the city, it may be cool, especially as its producers claim 84 mpg (2.8 l/100 km). The Elio is powered by a liter-class 3-cylinder 70 HP engine and comes with a $6,800 (€5,290) price tag, which is significantly less than what a Spyder retails for.
Cool and weird as the Elio might be, it is nowhere near the awesomeness of other reversed trikes, even scooters. As for a comparison with the awesome Lit C-1, we'd better not even think about that... However, we're going to keep an eye on the Elio as the idea seems nice, especially with the prospect of a Hayabusa engine in there!
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