New 3-wheeled vehicle made by Elio Motors gets 672 miles on 1 tank of gas

Elio car will be available in 2014, will cost less than $10,000

DETROIT – A new car will hit the market next year that has three wheels, sits two people and gets more than 600 miles on one tank of gas.

The vehicle made by Elio Motors is federally classified as a motorcycle, but the man who designed the vehicle said it drives like a car.

"Front engine, front wheel drive, with a steering wheel, not handle bars, with three airbags, two seat belts, air conditioning, power windows, and power door locks. So from a driving experience it's certainly more similar to a car than a motorcycle," said Paul Elio, of Elio Motors.

The vehicle can also go more than 100 miles per hour.

"You can get a ticket in it," said Elio.

The vehicle is also as safe as other cars on the road. It has 50% more crush zone than a smart car because of it's long nose. The vehicle is also equipped with airbags.

"Because of our front to back seating, we can fire all three airbags in every event. The two side curtains and the front airbag. So we can actually hold you in this cocoon of airbags as the event occurs," said Elio.

The Elio will hit the market in 2014 and is expected to cost less than $10,000.

"We believe we are going to be able to bring this to market with 95 percent North American content," said Elio. " So it's an American car company, built in America, with American parts."

Despite the compact look, the Elio can also hold your luggage or golf clubs, if you're traveling alone.

"You can fit an airline compliant bag with the rear seat folded up, When the rear seat folds down it makes a package shelf so you can fit other long items," said Elio.

The Elio will be marketed mainly as a commuter or road trip vehicle.

For more information on the vehicle and Elio go to ElioMotors.com.