Polaris Slingshot, three wheels that are more fun than two! [FIRST CONTACT VIDEO]

Polaris Slingshot – Conceptually it develops what every fan of rear-wheel drive on a car has always imagined. The Slingshot, however, is not a car, because it adopts motorcycle-type solutions, such as the rear swingarm or the carbon-reinforced final drive belt, as well as being able to be driven with a helmet and giving driving sensations that are at times close to those of a two wheels, rather than a four.

The concept of the three wheels with the single behind is simple, the important thing is to have directionality, then for oversteer there is always room for inventiveness and fun. The Slingshot with a well planted front end and a single tire that releases all the power, shows that the thing works and quite well too, because without removing the controls it is stable and has excellent road holding, but if you want to have fun there is room to do it very well.

What?

You look at him frontally from afar e It looks like a sports car, you get closer and discover that From the middle onwards something is missing, because behind we find a mix of a motorcycle and a car, or at least something automotive-related. It's not just a question of numbers, but also of structure. The only wheel is in fact moved by one final belt drive, reinforced in carbon and typical of American and non-American customs, with a single sided swingarm also a motorcycle one, but the rim and tire are from cars, precisely because the Slingshot does not "bend".

Ride a 255 / 35 ZR20 which, if the driver does not contain his exuberance too much, is subject to rather frequent replacement. You can have fun with little, given that since there is only one you spend around 200-250 euros to replace it, even opting for premium products. The Slingshot It has three wheels and can be driven with a helmet, nothing new for us, given that we drove the Piaggio MP3 and its other competitors with two wheels in front, but also the Harley Davidson Trike with two wheels in the back and one in front. All products that make a vehicle designed to fold like a motorbike safer or more usable, but here we are faced with something very different and practically unique in the car and motorcycle scene.

It has its own brand, but it's a Polaris

The Slingshot was born a couple of years ago under the Polaris brand, however it is in fact a brand in its own right, perhaps also due to its uniqueness. In fact, we do not find the logo of the US giant, replaced by the triangular one of the bizarre three-wheeler. For those who don't know her, Polaris is an American manufacturer famous above all for Quads (or ATVs) and snowmobiles, but also produces side-by-side quadricycles (or UTVs) of the Razor family, as well as being owner of two motorcycle brands, Victory and Indian, the longest-lived American company in history, with its 115 years. Motorcycles are perhaps the most "normal" thing for European culture, while the rest of the group's production is more niche and specialized, although still widespread in some areas. With Slingshot we go in the direction diametrically opposed to normality. For example, it's difficult to even classify it, given that it combines the peculiarities of a motorbike with others of a car, all essentially aimed at a single purpose: to have fun. It has two parallel seats and a layout similar to an English-style car, spartan and essential, without any cover in case of rain (which is why everything is waterproof). Moving on to the concrete data, he then a killer weight/power ratio. We are talking about a steel trellis frame, with a weight of just over 750 kg, with an engine with over 170 horsepower and a torque of 227 Nm, all downloaded onto the single rear tyre. In short, there are the conditions for great fun.

Car or motorbike?

It drives like a car, but gives the sensation of a motorbike. Has a steering wheel and a 5-speed automotive-type gearbox, a carbon-reinforced final drive belt, which actually looks like that of a motorcycle. The engine is naturally aspirated 2.4 liter Ecotec from GM. There is also a handbrake, again in automotive style. Like all sports aspirants, the best part comes in the second part of the rev counter, with the maximum torque at 4.700 rpm, power at 6.400 and the limiter at 7.200. If that wasn't enough, it seems that a supercharged version is being launched, which for now will not arrive in Europe, even if it really tickles our fantasies. While driving, from the first moment, it is clear that the Slingshot is very well positioned up front, with its almost 2 meters of width and the weight of the engine that loads the two tires mounted on 18" rims. It is approximately 3,8 meters long and more than for its pure performance, it is surprising for its truly particular setting. Not that it's going slowly, since it is 0-100 is achieved in less than 5 seconds and the maximum speed is over 200 km/h.

How are you

Getting on board is complex, but not too complex. Laterally in fact there are no doormen and the opening is wide. You are protected by the tubes of the frame, with the sill formed by two tubes inclined towards each other, while in the rear area you are surrounded by a structure that extends almost to embrace the two seats. There is no shortage of them at the top two sturdy roll bars, While the bodywork is made of plastic, lightweight and impact resistant. The seats are made to resist water and are not exactly super soft, but not too uncomfortable either. The frame it looks like a kart or something similar, made of steel tubing, essential, light and at the same time rigid.

In front, the anti-roll bar completes type a suspensions double quadrilateral, while behind we find a aluminum swingarm motorcycle-style, with a monoshock absorber. The engine compartment opens with the front portion of the vehicle tilting entirely forward, while the exhaust, if you are looking for it in the photos, is very short and ends right under the engine itself, also to give it an interesting sound. Not even one is missing electric power steering, testifying to the extreme vocation, but not as much as one might think. Once seated, you fasten the seat belt, a classic three-point seatbelt, mounted backwards, given the absence of the external post to which the high point can be attached.

Essential and well made, everything clearly shows the need to be resistant to water and bad weather, so no soft materials, much less fabric. The location is very low, as is needed for driving in a sporty manner, while in front you are protected by a very low windshield, which doesn't make you regret having put a helmet on your head when the speeds rise. To turn it on, turn the key and press the button in the center of the console, under the LCD screen. In our test we tried to drive the Slingshot for the first stretch with the controls engaged, remaining surprised by the road holding. The rear wheel never loses grip and it drives in a very similar way to a vehicle with four and not three wheels. Of course, it's strange to have the sky above your head while wearing a helmet and obviously we can't talk about comfort or soundproofing, but the feeling is that you can tolerate a medium distance transfer without breaking your back or getting a headache.

The game though, if it wasn't clear yet, it becomes interesting when you hold down the button in front of the gear lever, deactivating the traction control. At this point behind you you are at the mercy of your right foot and the desire to make it slide at will, letting off steam with the horses available, while control is easy thanks to the front end planted on the ground, on which much of the weight of the Slingshot rests, given that the engine is right above the front axle. You can therefore play in complete safety and without having to be a phenomenon behind the wheel, this is demonstrated by our forays in a dirt car park and even on the slimy grass of a lawn. Things become even easier when you are on asphalt and with significantly higher grip. Unfortunately, there wasn't much time for our test and we didn't have the chance to show you the behavior on asphalt on video, but you can trust us: the Slingshot is as strange to look at as it is fun to drive. At the front the bodywork even forms a wing, which should stabilize the front at high speeds, but for this reason we should take the Slingshot on the track to give you our impressions, who knows, maybe there will be an opportunity soon!

Conclusions and price

There are no direct opponents, because Can-Am produces the Spyder, which however has a saddle and handlebars (therefore interpreting the concept in a more motorcycling way), while the Morgan 3 Wheeler, perhaps the closest thing that can be found on the market, derives from a project of over a century ago, with all the differences that this brings with it. However, we do not agree with those who compare the Slingshot with equally extreme vehicles that have four wheels, such as the KTM X-Bow or the various Caterham Super 7s and similar. All of them were born much more in a track day perspective and developed in that sense, while the Slingshot is a "toy" for an adrenaline-filled ride on the lake or on a beautiful winding road, there's no shortage of them either two lockers behind the seats, to store helmets and some small personal effects during stops.

The fun and adrenaline rush come at a price 32.000 euro approximately, For the SL version richer, the only one to be imported on our side. Compared to the basic model, it features different wheels and an infotainment system. ABS, ESP and traction control are also standard, the latter two obviously excludable, to the delight of the most daring. The helmet is not mandatory in Europe, even if the Italian law is not too clear on this aspect (as often happens for this type of vehicle, halfway between a motorbike and a car according to the legislator). Not bad, because a helmet (perhaps an open type when temperatures are high) is useful for having valid protection from the air, given that the small windshield doesn't do much at high speeds.

EGIMOTORS of Desio, Polaris importer for Italy, allows you to book a test online, if you are in the area and want to evaluate a crazy purchase, but not even that much, think about it!
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Helmet: Shark Vancore