$7,000 84-mpg Elio car moves forward with new production plant

$7,000 84-mpg Elio car moves forward with new production plant
More 2015 Chrysler 200 photos surface - Autoblog
Leaked specs and photos of the 2015 Chrysler 200 - Digital Trends
Rapper Ceddy Bu Rap Sumo Dead AT 24 From Car Crash (PHOTOS)

Posted: 08 Jan 2014 03:38 PM PST

Elio Motors is taking the next big step toward the production of its 84-mpg (2.8 L/100km) tandem three-wheeler. It won't quite make its original Summer 2014 start, but it plans to get Elios rolling off the lines next year at the former General Motors Shreveport Assembly and Stamping Plant in Louisiana.

In the wake of the purchase of the plant by the Caddo Parish Industrial Development Board, Elio is moving forward with its plans to rent 1.5 million sq ft (139,000 sq m) of space. Elio also mentions that part of the remaining 2.6 million sq ft (242,000 sq m) of plant space may be rented by some of its suppliers.

"This has been an extremely exciting week not just for me personally, but for the entire Elio Motors team," says Paul Elio, CEO and founder of Elio Motors. "We've had an incredible amount of momentum, which has led us to a new plant that will be the foundation for building the new vehicle. Plus, we also raised over $7 million to help us move forward."

"My dream has been to build a new kind of safe, reliable, fuel-efficient vehicle here in the United States. Acquiring this plant and all of the equipment in a fully operational state will allow Elio Motors to thrive right off the bat once commercial vehicle production begins in 2015."

Elio projects that it will create 1,500 new jobs in the Shreveport area, beginning its hiring push later this year and completing it by late 2015. It plans to start vehicle production in the first quarter of 2015.

Elio Motors is still sticking with its $6,800 base price estimate

Since we covered the Elio last spring, its engine has been updated to a 55-hp 0.9-liter inline three-cylinder. Other specs, including the 84-mpg highway fuel economy, 100-mph (161 km/h) top speed and 672-mile (1,081 km) range, remain the same, as does the projected price of US$6,800.

Check out our gallery for photos of the current Elio design from CES 2014, the latest stop on the prototype's ongoing tour around the country.

Source: Elio Motors

More 2015 Chrysler 200 photos surface - Autoblog

Posted: 08 Jan 2014 02:18 PM PST

Just 24 hours after the first official 2015 Chrysler 200 shot made its way onto the web, a whole smattering of images have surfaced, courtesy of the folks at Motorward. Here, we can see the new Chrysler family sedan from every angle, including the interior, and might we say, she's pretty.

As we told you yesterday, the new 200 will be offered with either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 184 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque or a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 295 hp and 262 lb-ft. A nine-speed automatic transmission accessed through Chrysler's rotary shifter (mounted on a Volvo-style floating center console) will direct power to the wheels. We've heard that both front- and all-wheel drive will be available, and what's more, it's been said that the new 200 will be able to achieve at least 35 miles per gallon on the highway.

An on-sale date has yet to be announced, but the new 200 will reportedly be priced at $21,700, not including $995 for destination. Have a look at the new round of photos in the gallery above – the striking blue model above looks to be the sportier 200S – and stay tuned for the officially official stuff early next week... if not sooner.

Leaked specs and photos of the 2015 Chrysler 200 - Digital Trends

Posted: 08 Jan 2014 04:37 PM PST

2015 Chrysler 200 | Specs, pictures, and performance leaked | Digital Trends

Home > Cars > Leaked specs and photos of the 2015 Chrysler 200…

By Nick Jaynes — January 8, 2014

]]>

I never thought I'd ever have another good word to say about the Chrysler 200. Then Chrysler goes and does something like this … and totally redeems the breed. Damn you, Chrysler. I loved having at least one new car to hate. And you've taken that away from me.

Anyway. What we see above are some leaked photos of the 2015 Chrysler 200, which will debut next week at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. I think you'll agree; it's a thing of beauty.

Some of my fellow automotive journalists have compared it to the Audi A7. I disagree. I think it looks more like a lux version of the Dodge Dart, which it is. While the exterior is absolutely impressive, it's the rumored drivetrain bits that have my eyebrows raised.

The engine is rather standard fare for a compact Chrysler: a 2.4-liter TigerShark four-cylinder that makes 184 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque. From there, customers can option the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that's good for a V8-rivaling 295 hp and 262 lb-ft.

This is where it gets interesting. These engines will be mated to Chrysler's new nine-speed auto, which will be shifted with a rotary dial. And from the new trans, power will be sent to all four wheels through a system called, according to World Car Fans, "innovative all-wheel drive", that can – like the new Mercedes CLA45 AMG – disconnect the rear axle when it's not needed for power or traction.

So to summarize: the next-gen Chrysler 200 will be stunning to behold, powerful, and technically savvy. Right.

Now, which new car can I hate on? Does Daewoo still sell cars? I sure hope so.

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way through Journalism School as a Volvo mechanic. In his free-time, Nick collects vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

Digital Trends

Straightforward product reviews, reliable technology news, and tools to navigate the digital world.

Digital Trends has updated the Terms of Use. Read Now Ok, Thanks x

2015 Chrysler 200 | Specs, pictures, and performance leaked | Digital Trends

Home > Cars > Leaked specs and photos of the 2015 Chrysler 200…

By Nick Jaynes — January 8, 2014

]]>

Anyway. What we see above are some leaked photos of the 2015 Chrysler 200, which will debut next week at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. I think you'll agree; it's a thing of beauty.

So to summarize: the next-gen Chrysler 200 will be stunning to behold, powerful, and technically savvy. Right.

Now, which new car can I hate on? Does Daewoo still sell cars? I sure hope so.

Digital Trends

Straightforward product reviews, reliable technology news, and tools to navigate the digital world.

Digital Trends has updated the Terms of Use.

Read Now Ok, Thanks x

Rapper Ceddy Bu Rap Sumo Dead AT 24 From Car Crash (PHOTOS)

Posted: 07 Jan 2014 06:33 AM PST

ceddy bu rap sumo

Louisiana rapper and YouTube star Ceddy Bu Rap Sumo was involved in a car crash last Thursday that took his life. He was 24-years-old.

Ceddy Bu, real name Cedrick Smith, was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. He died instantly. The driver of the Dodge Charger, Wilbert Pryor, was also not wearing a seatbelt but was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

"When I saw the car I was like, I wish I could talk to him one more time," Delwin Royal said.

Royal said he grew up with the 650 pound artist known for going shirtless and donning thick gold chains known as "donkey ropes."

"Actually, we were in the studio and he sat down and broke the chair. I thought it was funny, and I've been talking to him ever since."

The Rap Sumo, as he was called, actually got his name from his weight, a trait he was comfortable with.

"With me, I am comfortable in my skin, like, hey it's okay for your to be this size, it's okay for you to be this way. People will accept you for who you are," Bu told rollingout.com last year. "Because so many people have tore the people down and tell them 'you need this' and 'you need that.' And people tell me these things also. But I love me. If I don't love me then who will?"

Police are still investigating the crash. They believe excessive speed played a role in the accident.

We'll keep you updated with the latest. Our condolences to Ceddy Bu's friends and family.

SOURCE: WAFB | PHOTO CREDIT: Screengrab