Dynamically, the layout of the Elio is perfect for all kinds of driving. The stability and safety of this kind of design has been proven in other similar vehicles. Years ago I owned a TriHawk, which was similar except it had transverse seating instead of tandem. It literally could outhandle anything on the road.
As far as passive safety, the Elio proposal calls for all the usual safety technology found on conventional cars. One aspect of its layout is actually safer than regular cars, in that the front wheels are configured OUTSIDE the passenger cell perimeter. This eliminates the possibility of footwell intrusion by the road wheel. This is a significant issue for many conventional cars, revealed in the new IIHS small overlap crash tests.
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