

The EMC3 is an eye-catching three-wheeled enclosed motorcycle with all the creature comforts of a low-cost car. This May, it just might be coming to a dealer near you.

The creator of the EMC3, ECO Motor Car Company, is a Seattle startup with a "less is more" philosophy. In this case, one less wheel is responsible for more fuel economy. No batteries, no pesky 25 mph speed restrictions. While the EMC3 looks like a miniature convertible, as far as the DOT is concerned it's a full-fledged two-seater motorcycle with all the necessary government approvals. Depending on options, it's expected to sell for between $13,995 and $14,995. The only thing it's missing is a rear wheel.

Jim Evans is the sales manager at Townline Auto Group of Danielson, CT, a launch dealer for the eye-catching trike. He's already driving a prototype, and so far he's pretty impressed. Driving is a "great, fun experience," Evans told Wired.com. "Handling is like your auto, not like a converted motorcycle or something like the T-Rex, Scorpion or any of the other reverse trikes."

Oh yeah, and did we mention it gets 60 mpg?

The formula for EMC3 is simple: Car - excess weight = higher fuel economy. With a curb weight between 1,300 and 1,500 lbs depending on transmission, it's not hard to see how ECO squeezes Prius-beating numbers out of their trike. Power comes from a 1.0 liter, 52 horsepower SOHC three-cylinder six-valve engine with an aluminum head and iron block, mated to either an automatic or manual transmission. As if owners won't be armed with enough conversation starters, consider that the EMC3 is built in China by Geely. That means it's the first ever Chinese car Chinese-built enclosed vehicle capable of highway speeds to be sold in the US.

Evans is quick to note that the driving experience will be familiar and comfortable even for drivers who have never been on a bike. "No more noise than a typical convertible, much less noise than a motorcycle," he told Wired.com. "Our first deposit came from a gentleman, 6'6" and 275 lbs – no problem with leg room or accessing the vehicle." The interior is serviceable and comfortable, and the dash looks like it's straight out of a late model Hyundai. According to Evans, preliminary crash tests show that the side-impact door beams and airbags are doing their job.

On the looks scale, the EMC3 is Urkel-worthy, somewhere between a Reliant Robin and a Davis. The Aptera it is not. That doesn't mean it doesn't attract attention. Evans said that even though the gas tank is only ten gallons, it still takes him 20 minutes to fill up once he's finished answering questions about the car. In fact, Evans himself only got involved with ECO Motors after seeing it on television and finding it irresistible. Now, he's the sole distributor for the northeast and expects sales to take off. "We definitely will be a destination dealer," he told Wired.com. With no paid advertising, Townline already has six deposits. The first non-prototype, production car trike, which will be white with an automatic transmission, should arrive in early May.

Photos and renderings: ECO Motor Company

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Final production design:

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