I get irony, even when it comes with a wink -- and without a good muffler.

But I'm still not convinced that Phoenix-based Elio Motors' "the next big thing in transportation" slogan fits its three-wheeled, American-made vision of the commuting future.

Elio, which is gearing up to produce a spunky $6,800 car-slash-motorcycle that gets 84 miles per gallon at a former Hummer factory in Louisiana, is showing off the prototype in the Portland area this week. In fact, on Thursday, you can line up to check it out at Washington Square.

But after a Wednesday morning ride in the passenger seat, situated jet fighter-style behind driver Neil Pterson (I was Goose, he was Maverick), I'm not sure this is the driving future that people want.

It'll certainly be loud.

"This isn't the exhaust system that you will get," Pterson said, remind me that I was motoring around downtown in a test model.

OK, then, it'll be cramped.

Don't worry, he said, it has – or will have – a five-star safety rating, complete with three airbags.

OK, but it was still cramped.

Did I mention that it only has one door?

To be fair, the silver bullet-shaped Elio isn't exactly a car. The government classifies it as a motorcycle, which is why the company is selling the fact that you can take it in HOV lanes during traffic jams, even if you're driving solo.

So, who's the target buyer?

Jerome Vassallo, Elio's vice president of retail sales, said the possibilities, from emerging markets in Asia to the great wide open of America, are limitless.

"The question is, 'How do you get to work?'" Vassallo said. "If you've got a big SUV for your family, but you're the only person in there during your commute, that doesn't make sense. But now you can afford another vehicle that fits that purpose."

His thinking: If you're spending more than $150 a month on gas to commute in that SUV, then you might as well reserve an Elio online. (The thinking is the monthly payments for one of the moto-cars will be about 180 bones.)

Still, don't we already have the glorified rider mowers that we call Smart cars?

Founder Paul Elio has promised his vehicles will have a 50-horsepower, 3-cylinder engine with variable valve timing designed by IAV Automotive Engineering.

"It hits 107 mph," Vassallo said, "so go ahead and get speeding tickets all day long."

Still, I'm not convinced that engine was in the prototype, which seemed pretty gutless. Nevertheless, local radio firebrand Lars Larson, who took a ride in the Elio before me, seemed impressed. "His wife, Tina, told him to reserve one," one of Larson's producers told me.

Gun-carrying, cigar-chomping tough guy Lars Larson driving a tiny Elio with his wife in the back. That I'll have to see.

Vassallo told me the company is talking about a "hydro" version of the car.

I'd also like to see that.

If the Elio, with two wheels in the front instead of the back, will erase the the bad name given to three-wheeled cars by hilarious "Top Gear" episode featuring a Reliant Robin.

-- Joseph Rose