Their explanation for the high mpg's is not adequate. They claim its due to low wind resistance, but that has a relatively small effect on total mpg. My guess is that weight is a larger component of mpg improvement than air resistance, and performance capability (engine size) is an important part, too.
Not saying they can't achieve 84 mpg, just that the reason may not be what they claim.
I'd be looking for a 200cc-500cc engine and roughly motorcycle weight.
I have an optional motor for my bicycle that gets 100-150mpg. No licensing required. (only 30mph maximum and no airbags;^)

I have a 1994 toyota camry with an automatic transmission with 320,000 miles on it...bought it for $1,100.00 5 years ago with 250,000 miles on it. Recently took a 350 mile round trip to drop kids off at college and got 31 MPG!!! gets about 26 MPG around town. Now that is a car!!!

The elio is neat but looks a lot like a coffin. I would also be uncomfortable plunking money down on a car that the website shows only CAD generated pictures and also touts the 84 MPG gas milage but when you read further they say..."As we continue to engineer the Elio for up to 84 MPG, we officially have liftoff. " I smell advertising Hype!!! Especially when I see the word "Green" mentioned so many times!

Actually if we had never had these government mandates we would have both cheaper and safer cars. Regulation kills invention, which means things get more expensive and less safe than if there had been no regulations.

Think of a cheap electronically driven car that is virtually incapable of being in an accident.

We had a 2000 Ford Excursion that got less than 10mpg. Lousy mileage but a great truck, it was Mrs. Animal's primary vehicle and she loved that monstrous thing.

Sure, it got crappy mileage, but I was paying for it. If I had ever asked anyone to help me pay for gas, I would have been justly subject for criticism; as it was, the truck's mileage was nobody's damned business but mine.

I had a 1978 Ford Fiesta (made in Germany) that got 40+........

The old Honda CVCC used to get 54 mpg.

I had a 1971 Subaru that was getting over 40MPG back in '71. So why now do they only get like 28MPG? That was rhetorical, get the Gov't out of the Automotive Industry and innovation will skyrocket.

Thank you for saving me a search! I ran across news about the Elio last summer and decided to look into it again come 2015, but couldn't remember the name of the car.

I have a reservation on a brand new Elio, which should begin production in late 2015:

http://www.eliomotors.com/