Most of my time on the highway is spent comfortably cocooned in a four-wheeled car, whether or not sedan, sports activities automobile, SUV or pickup. But there’s one thing about driving al fresco that has its distinctive enchantment. I’ve received an outdated convertible parked in my driveway. And, over time, I’ve owned just a few bikes. But 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. Rather than tandem, it gives side-by-side seating and a bit extra consolation and safety than a bike — with a 2+1 wheel format that, physics reveals, is a little more steady than a motorcycle’s design. But with no roof, facet doorways or home windows, and solely a stub of a windshield, the driving expertise is lots nearer to what you’d expertise on a two-wheeler.
There’s no query this isn’t luxurious transportation, however the Slingshot could be a variety of enjoyable to drive. It’s fairly 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 handbook 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 Beach, California earlier than operating east into the Santa Anna foothills. Here’s what it was like.
Styling
If you’re trying to flip heads, the Polaris Slingshot actually gained’t disappoint. (And, in line with the corporate’s information, that’s one of many two greatest the reason why folks purchase the three-wheeler.) Depending 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. Back of that, there’s extra surrounding you than you’d discover on a bike — 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. But 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 kind of built-in metal bars that present not less than 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 features. And, sure, my Slingshot R had a small touchscreen show. It was repositioned this yr to cut back glare on vibrant days – although, as I discovered, it didn’t fully get rid of 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 provide you with a stunning vary of variants, beginning with the stripped-down Slingshot S which doesn’t even characteristic a backup digital camera. At the opposite finish is the well-equipped and extra highly effective Slingshot R which will get an enormous enhance in energy, in addition to options like grippy sport seats.
This yr additionally brings a limited-run Rousch Edition which provides some attention-grabbing options, together with an Excursion Top, a novel instrument cluster, completely different physique graphics and slotted brake rotors.
The firm has what you may name a mix-and-match method to Slingshot. “Accessorization and personalization is a big part of the Slingshot owner experience,” Joey Lindahl, the Slingshot advertising and marketing director, defined as I crammed my head right into a full face helmet.
You can order most, although not all, of the high-end options to retrofit lower-trim fashions. This is nice for somebody who can simply handle a $20,000 price range however ultimately hopes to reconfigure their Slingshot extra like a top-line package deal that pushes into the mid-S30,000 vary.
Performance
Polaris claims it has up to date or upgraded 70% of Slingshot’s elements since 2020. That consists of the 4 new LED accent lights and bug-eyed LED headlamps.
The most necessary 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, nonetheless, takes the horse rely as much as 203. Power is delivered to the one rear wheel by a belt drive system.
Considering the R weighs in at 1,749 kilos, full with almost 10 gallons of gasoline, that interprets into a powerful 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 probably the most controversial topic. You can order a Slingshot with a 6-speed handbook. But in at present’s world, most patrons are choosing manumatic different, the AutoDrive system that includes a single dry-plate clutch.
Technology
The addition of an infotainment system, just a few years again, was large information within the Slingshot group. It’s a fairly simple system to make use of, and by repositioning the display screen, Polaris made it a bit simpler to learn and function until the solar takes lifeless goal on the show. That mentioned, 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.
This is a reasonably bare-bones car. Adding a heated seat additionally generated some headlines on the fan web sites. But 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.
Initial 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. But as soon as it hooks up you get fairly strong acceleration. No, it’s not a crotch rocket. You gained’t embarrass a Ninja motorbike, however you’ll get to 60 in about 5 seconds with the Slingshot R. And that appears like a rocket in a car like this.
Top pace is an electronically restricted 125 mph. To be sincere, I had no intention of verifying this. Even as my confidence stage improved I used to be fairly glad to ease again off the throttle as soon as I hit 90. Anything over 75 begins to see sufficient air swirl across the nostril to buffet your helmet. And the noise stage was cacophonous and near-deafening because the needle crossed 80.
At extra modest speeds, nonetheless, the Slingshot was an amazing 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. However, it’s nonetheless not a match for the manumatics you’ll discover in most of at present’s vehicles.
My greatest grievance got here with the brakes which didn’t fully really feel as much as the job. And I discovered a number of colleagues fielding the very same concern. You may scrub off pace, as wanted, however you additionally needed to work them a very good bit more durable than would appear proper. And that’s doubly stunning contemplating they’re Brembos. I hope to check out the slotted rotor package deal on the Rousch particular version in some unspecified time in the future.
Still, for the cash, Polaris has provide you with the kind of package deal I feel will work for lots of oldsters on the lookout for one thing extra related to the surroundings than an SUV — however extra substantial and simpler to handle than a bike.
If that applies to you observe that there’ve been some adjustments to related legal guidelines in recent times. Depending upon the place you reside your state might classify a Polaris Slingshot as both a bike or an autocycle. Some states might also require helmets — a good suggestion wherever you reside. At this level, just one state nonetheless requires a Slingshot proprietor to get a bike endorsement on their driver’s license, and that’s apparently up for repeal this yr.
2023 Polaris Slingshot R — Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Polaris Slingshot a very good every day driver?
There actually are of us who will drive a Polaris Slingshot daily, a lot as some commute by motorbike. But there are particular drawbacks, beginning together with your publicity to the weather. You’d seemingly 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 every day run.
What is the gasoline financial system score for a Polaris Slingshot?
With numerous completely different fashions to select from, you’ll be able to count on the Polaris Slingshot to ship anyplace from round 28 to 33 miles per gallon.
What is the highest pace of a Polaris Slingshot?
The three-wheel Polaris Slingshot is electronically restricted to a prime pace of 125 mph. But, until you’re a critical pace freak, don’t count on to get anyplace near that. Our personal experiences counsel few will need to push a lot greater than 80.
Source: www.thedetroitbureau.com