Can a three wheeled motorcycle beat Tesla? Bizarre $7,000 Elio 'autocycle' goes on sale

The three-wheeled $7,000 vehicle seats two passengers and goes 0 to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds. It is the same length as a Honda Fit, but half the weight at 1,250lbs (570kg), allowing it to do 84 miles to the gallon.  The car only has one door, on the left side, which shaves a few hundred pounds off the manufacturing costs, claims the firm.

Phoenix-based Elio Motors is now planning to unleash the car on the US market next year. The company plans to start making the cars next autumn at a former General Motors plant in Shreveport, Louisiana. Because it has three wheels - two in front and one in the rear - the Elio is classified as a motorcycle by the US government.

But Elio Motors founder Paul Elio said the vehicle has all the safety features of a car, such as an anti-lock brakes, front and side air bags and a steel cage that surrounds the occupants. However, drivers won't be required to wear helmets or have motorcycle licenses."

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