2015 Polaris Slingshot front 3/4 view

2015 Polaris Slingshot Proves Trike Makes Right [w/ Videos]

2015 Polaris Slingshot front 3/4 view

It didn’t take very long for a carriage-style four-wheeled layout to become part of automotive design orthodoxy. Yes, Morgan, Reliant and a few others have dabbled in the world of three-wheeled cars in the last century-plus, but such vehicles have never really enjoyed mainstream status, and likely won’t anytime soon.

2015 Polaris Slingshot high rear view

That doesn’t matter to Polaris, because it knows that its new big-kid trike – the Slingshot – isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. Rather than create a machine that follows the same pattern established by rival Bombardier’s Can-Am Spyder, the Minnesota-based builder of ATVs, UTVs, power equipment, snowmobiles, Indian and Victory motorcycles and GEM low-speed electric cars created a trike with the engine out front, a car-style side-by-side seating arrangement, and a steering wheel. In short, it reminds us of a front-engine KTM X-Bow with one less wheel.

2015 Polaris Slingshot front view

That engine, incidentally, is a humble GM Ecotec 2.4L inline-four rated at 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft of torque. Power is sent to the lone 255/35R20 rear tire through a 5-speed manual transmission (with reverse, so you don’t have to get out and push to perform a three-point turn) and a carbon fiber reinforced belt drive. Polaris claims the Slingshot will have a 1,743 lbs. curb weight, which should make it a rather snappy performer (though the company hasn’t released any definitive performance figures yet), particularly when you factor in the base model’s $19,999asking price; the more feature-packed SL model will retail for $23,999.

2015 Polaris Slingshot high front 3/4 view

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyDN3wI–Mw&list=UUPZ6xb_rTow7EWuxP11YF4Q[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0RhrBZObdg&index=7&list=UUPZ6xb_rTow7EWuxP11YF4Q[/youtube]

Source: Polaris