Most of my time on the street is spent comfortably cocooned in a four-wheeled car, whether or not sedan, sports activities automobile, SUV or pickup. However there’s one thing about driving al fresco that has its distinctive enchantment. I’ve acquired an outdated convertible parked in my driveway. And, through the years, I’ve owned just a few bikes. However I had the chance to take a look at an attention-grabbing different throughout a current go to to Southern California: the 2023 Polaris Slingshot.
First launched for the 2015 mannequin yr, the Slingshot is one thing of a hybrid. Moderately than tandem, it provides side-by-side seating and a bit extra consolation and safety than a motorbike — with a 2+1 wheel format that, physics reveals, is a little more steady than a motorbike’s design. However with no roof, aspect doorways or home windows, and solely a stub of a windshield, the driving expertise is so much nearer to what you’d expertise on a two-wheeler.
There’s no query this isn’t luxurious transportation, however the Slingshot could be numerous enjoyable to drive. It’s moderately fast and surprisingly nimble. And the most recent model has undergone some much-needed upgrades. It delivers a bit extra energy, a slight enchancment to its gearbox — particularly the automated guide package deal — and a few welcome new creature consolation options.
I spent an extended day clocking a pair hundred miles behind the wheel of the 2023 Polaris Slingshot R, beginning out on a surprisingly chilly and dreary morning from Newport Seaside, California earlier than working east into the Santa Ana foothills. Right here’s what it was like.
Styling
If you happen to’re trying to flip heads, the Polaris Slingshot actually received’t disappoint. (And, in accordance with the corporate’s knowledge, that’s one of many two greatest explanation why individuals purchase the three-wheeler.) Relying upon whom you ask, you’ll get responses starting from daring to audacious to obnoxious. I like to consider the design because the love baby of a roadster and a Jeep stripped down to reveal necessities for an off-road journey.
The composite hood is all curves and angles and barely conceals Slingshot’s drivetrain. Again of that, there’s extra surrounding you than you’d discover on a motorbike — however not a lot. That begins with that stubby windshield which does a fairly good job directing the breeze over your head till you get out onto the freeway. There aren’t any doorways, no home windows. However there’s a rollbar — or, extra exactly, twin aluminum roll hoops behind every seat on my Slingshot R.
The cabin is pretty fundamental, although I used to be happy to see the form of built-in metal bars that present at the very least a modicum of side-impact crash safety. New this yr is the flat-bottom steering wheel. It tilts however doesn’t telescope. There are a handful of controls constructed into the wheel for fundamental car and infotainment capabilities. And, sure, my Slingshot R had a small touchscreen show. It was repositioned this yr to scale back glare on brilliant days – although, as I discovered, it didn’t solely eradicate it. I used to be happy that my check car featured a helpful, spring-mounted holder for my iPhone that clipped onto the highest of the instrument panel.
Polaris has give you a shocking vary of variants, beginning with the stripped-down Slingshot S which doesn’t even function a backup digicam. On the different finish is the well-equipped and extra highly effective Slingshot R which will get a giant enhance in energy, in addition to options like grippy sport seats.
This yr additionally brings a limited-run Roush Version which provides some attention-grabbing options, together with an Tour High, a novel instrument cluster, totally different physique graphics and slotted brake rotors.
The corporate has what you may name a mix-and-match strategy to Slingshot. “Accessorization and personalization is a giant a part of the Slingshot proprietor expertise,” Joey Lindahl, the Slingshot advertising director, defined as I crammed my head right into a full face helmet.
You may order most, although not all, of the high-end options to retrofit lower-trim fashions. That is nice for somebody who can simply handle a $20,000 funds however ultimately hopes to reconfigure their Slingshot extra like a top-line package deal that pushes into the mid-S30,000 vary.
Efficiency
Polaris claims it has up to date or upgraded 70% of Slingshot’s elements since 2020. That features the 4 new LED accent lights and bug-eyed LED headlamps.
An important replace comes with the swap of a 2.0-liter homebrew Polaris inline-4 fuel engine that replaces the outdated GM I-4. It’s a torquey little package deal that may rev as much as 8,500 rpm. In its most elementary package, within the S and S-Tech fashions, it produces 178 horsepower 120 pound-feet. The R, nevertheless, takes the horse rely as much as 203. Energy is delivered to the only rear wheel via a belt drive system.
Contemplating the R weighs in at 1,749 kilos, full with practically 10 gallons of gasoline, that interprets into a formidable power-to-weight ratio of lower than 8.6 lb/hp. It’s about 9.3 lb/hp on the S mannequin.
I purposely saved the topic of the transmission for final right here as a result of it has been essentially the most controversial topic. You may order a Slingshot with a 6-speed guide. However in at present’s world, most consumers are choosing manumatic different, the AutoDrive system that includes a single dry-plate clutch.
Expertise
The addition of an infotainment system, just a few years again, was huge information within the Slingshot neighborhood. It’s a fairly simple system to make use of, and by repositioning the display, Polaris made it a bit simpler to learn and function except the solar takes lifeless goal on the show. That stated, I discovered myself relying extra on my iPhone 14 ProMax clipped to the highest of the instrument panel when it got here to looking for a route.
It is a pretty bare-bones car. Including a heated seat additionally generated some headlines on the fan web sites. However the audio system has been upgraded this yr with a brand new Rockford Fosgate Stage 2 system. There’s additionally Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Preliminary impressions
Driving the 2023 Polaris Slingshot is, to make use of an outdated time period, an actual hoot. Slam the throttle on the R and also you’ll really feel the again wheel begin to spin. However as soon as it hooks up you get moderately strong acceleration. No, it’s not a crotch rocket. You received’t embarrass a Ninja bike, however you’ll get to 60 in about 5 seconds with the Slingshot R. And that looks like a rocket in a car like this.
High pace is an electronically restricted 125 mph. To be trustworthy, I had no intention of verifying this. At the same time as my confidence degree improved I used to be fairly pleased to ease again off the throttle as soon as I hit 90. Something over 75 begins to see sufficient air swirl across the nostril to buffet your helmet. And the noise degree was cacophonous and near-deafening because the needle crossed 80.
At extra modest speeds, nevertheless, the Slingshot was an awesome drive. It delivered sports activities car-like dealing with up within the foothills of the Santa Anas, Polaris claiming it may handle 1.08G turns. I didn’t have the instrumentation to validate that however skilled intestine intuition appeared to again that up.
Returning to the transmission, right here’s the excellent news: the AutoDrive appeared to function way more easily than in previous years. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless not a match for the manumatics you’ll discover in most of at present’s cars.
My greatest criticism got here with the brakes which didn’t utterly really feel as much as the job. And I discovered a number of colleagues fielding the very same concern. You would scrub off pace, as wanted, however you additionally needed to work them a great bit more durable than would appear proper. And that’s doubly shocking contemplating they’re Brembos. I hope to check out the slotted rotor package deal on the Rousch particular version sooner or later.
Nonetheless, for the cash, Polaris has give you the form of package deal I feel will work for lots of oldsters in search of one thing extra linked to the surroundings than an SUV — however extra substantial and simpler to handle than a motorbike.
If that applies to you observe that there’ve been some modifications to related legal guidelines lately. Relying upon the place you reside your state could classify a Polaris Slingshot as both a motorbike or an autocycle. Some states may require helmets — a good suggestion wherever you reside. At this level, just one state nonetheless requires a Slingshot proprietor to get a motorbike endorsement on their driver’s license, and that’s apparently up for repeal this yr.
2023 Polaris Slingshot R — Incessantly Requested Questions
Is a Polaris Slingshot a great day by day driver?
There actually are people who will drive a Polaris Slingshot every single day, a lot as some commute by bike. However there are particular drawbacks, beginning together with your publicity to the weather. You’d doubtless not need this as your solely transportation in colder, wetter climes. And, even in higher climates, it could be a rougher experience on an extended day by day run.
What’s the gasoline financial system score for a Polaris Slingshot?
With various totally different fashions to select from, you may anticipate the Polaris Slingshot to ship wherever from round 28 to 33 miles per gallon.
What’s the high pace of a Polaris Slingshot?
The three-wheel Polaris Slingshot is electronically restricted to a high pace of 125 mph. However, except you’re a severe pace freak, don’t anticipate to get wherever near that. Our personal experiences recommend few will need to push a lot increased than 80.
