Instant Alert: Elio's tiny car gets 84 mpg and costs only $7,300 — here's what it was like

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   Elio's tiny car gets 84 mpg and costs only $7,300 — here's what it was like by Matthew DeBord on Feb 27, 2017, 6:31 PM Advertisement Elio Motors has one of the more interesting, and simple, ideas in the auto industry. The Arizona-headquartered transport startup, with a factory in Louisiana, just started taking deposits on its first vehicle, a three-wheeler that's street-legal, made in the US, and will sell for just over $7,000. So far, over 60,000 people have plunked down some dough for a preorder, according to the company. The idea is to provide basic mobility to folks who couldn't otherwise afford a basic set of wheels. The cheapest new car on sale in the US, the Nissan Versa, goes for over 10 grand. True, you could get a halfway decent used car for $7,000, but it probably wouldn't be as exotic as Elio's new machine. It also wouldn't get over 80 miles per gallon. So what's the thing like? Well, it runs on gas and had a standard transmission, and two seats. Last year, Elio brought a prototype by our New York office, and we checked it out: Photos by Hollis Johnson. SEE ALSO: 10 futuristic vehicles that will fundamentally transform how we travel Elio brought its prototype vehicle to our New York office. We parked it curbside and chatted for a bit — and watched the Elio draw a crowd! Must have been the color ... Mobbed! The vehicle has only three wheels and two seats, arranged tandem style. The base price is $7,300. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network:    Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011