Elio Motors introduced the P5 prototype in Los Angeles. It previews a future production car, which will launch in 2016 at a targeted price of $6,800, with more than 47,000 reservations made so far, according to the company.
The small three-wheeled P5 brings a slightly longer and more aerodynamic front end compared to the P4, which is described as “futuristic and stylish”. It also has a side-exhaust, which replicates how the exhaust will look like on the final version.
The interior was modestly revised as Elio announced an upgraded instrument panel, new brushed trim to the dashboard, a more robust iPad holder, new red color inserts instead of the orange ones, and a one-inch lowered seat to increase headroom.
Under the hood, it has the same 0.9-liter three-cylinder, which allows the vehicle to go from zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 9.6 seconds and up to a top speed of more than 100 mph (160 km/h), all this while returning 84 mpg (2.8L/100km) on the highway.
The production version will be assembled in Shreveport, Louisiana, where 1,500 people will be employed. An additional 1,500 jobs will be created from the supply base and Elio Motors estimates that approximately 18,000 jobs nationwide will be created or sustained.
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