The car has been designed to be manufactured in small volume using recycled components from the automobile recycling yards. Utilizing standard engines and drive trains installed in the Avion's light weight and aerodynamic body we can achieve significant improvements in fuel efficacy and performance making the Avion both fun to drive and while getting great mileage. In our testing the car we were able to achieve 80 mpg At 70 mph and an astonishing 114 mpg at 55 mph driving from Eugene OR. To Portland OR.
The chassis is a monocoque 6061 aluminum with steel space frame on either end. The engine is transversely mounted behind the passengers making the car a transverse mid engine configuration. A lightweight composite body is attached and riveted and bonded making a very stiff and lightweight structure. The cars are hand built and more labor intensive than high volume production. Extensive use of composites, Aluminum and lightweight design are used through out the car to achieve our target weight. Construction is more closely related to small airplane construction than steel stamped automobiles. We utilize all available technology in construction as laser CNC, vacuumed bagged cored composite construction and the latest in composite materials like carbon fiber, Kevlar and "S"-Glass.
The car is standard with four-wheel disks, independent suspension, and rack and pinion steering systems.
The body was designed to reduce drag and wind tunnel derived and tested. It requires only 3 to 6 horsepower to maintain highway speed and this gives the car a top speed over 100 mph.
Semi gull wing doors provide access to a very low car (43" tall 63" wide and 174" long).
Original 1986 Avion Specifications.