I’ll admit it. I like consideration. I costume in vibrant colours, communicate loudly, snigger louder, and would be the first one to hop on the dance flooring, even when stated dance flooring is a desk prime. However I’ve all the time thought driving a Polaris Slingshot brings the fallacious sort of consideration. I’ve wished nothing to do with it because it got here onto the scene in 2015.

But right here I’m, cruising alongside the ocean in a two-tone teal and orange 2023 Polaris Slingshot R, grinning like a maniac, doing small burnouts at cease lights and usually having a grand outdated time.

You might have seen the Polaris Slingshot cruising down by the seaside or in vacationer cities akin to Las Vegas or Miami. A cross between a automobile and a bike, this three-wheeled monstrosity has all of the subtlety of the Intercourse Pistols at a debutante ball. Designed with sufficient angles to make my tenth grade geometry trainer weep, it sports activities two wheels up entrance and one within the rear. It’s low to the bottom, roofless, and doorless. 

Most states classify it as an “autocycle” and solely a driver’s license is required to get behind the wheel. Nonetheless, helmet legal guidelines fluctuate from state to state, so you’ll want to test your native legal guidelines earlier than going out for a pleasure journey.

2023 Polaris Slingshot R

2023 Polaris Slingshot R

2023 Polaris Slingshot R

And I do imply “pleasure journey.” Each Slingshot comes with a Polaris-built 2.0-liter inline-4 engine, however my top-of-the-line Slingshot R tester is tuned to 203 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque. Lesser fashions have 178 ponies and 120 lb-ft of twist, however the rattling factor solely weighs round 1,650 kilos. Missing energy it’s not, even in decrease trims. 

The Slingshot is rear-wheel drive, and an accessible 5-speed handbook transmission sends energy to that lone 305/30R20 Kenda tire—by way of a belt, thoughts you. You will get a 5-speed automated handbook with paddle shifters, however as we realized in a drive of the 2020 Slingshot, you wouldn’t need to. In addition to, if there have been any car by which you desire a absolutely engaged driving expertise, that is it.

For this drive, I’m joined by my pal Jen, who I additionally dragged alongside after I drove the Vanderhall Venice, an analogous three-wheeled toy. We strap in, drawing the seat belts from their anchors inboard of the seats (as a result of there aren’t any B-pillars), and don our Polaris-mandated full-face helmets. California says an open face DOT helmet is okay, however with solely half a windshield it’s good to have a bit extra safety. Jen and I can’t hear one another, however the Rockford Fosgate audio system is bumping sufficient to push the tunes previous our helmets and into our ears.

We take off from a beach-side lodge in Huntington Seashore, California, to seize some espresso and immediately get a thumbs up from a pair strolling their canine. On the subsequent gentle, I get a wave from a dude in a basic Meyers Manx buggy and on the following block a vacationer snaps a fast photograph. All this and we haven’t even reached Starbucks but.

2023 Polaris Slingshot R

Lastly caffeinated, we head out to Pacific Coast Freeway. This factor rips when pulling away from a cease, screaming as much as the 8,500-rpm readline. That’s not a typo, of us. Although I do know the phrase isn’t appropriate as utilized to this car, I simply need to scream, “V-TEC simply kicked in, yo!” The shifter displays good, clear throws and the clutch engages cleanly and easily. It’s loud as #%!&, however I don’t actually care. I’m having a blast.

Nonetheless, I nonetheless really feel like a little bit of a poseur. I’m not in a sports activities automobile, and I’m not driving a bike. I’m on this bizarre in-between world that I don’t prefer to inhabit. Nonetheless, I can’t deny the grin plastered on my face.

I’m fairly snug too. The seats have heating and cooling and each work nice. They should as there isn’t any further HVAC system. A 7.0-inch touchscreen runs the Polaris Journey Command infotainment system. It’s not probably the most sturdy system I’ve ever skilled, however Apple CarPlay is right here for those who don’t need to use the in-dash navigation system or Bluetooth connectivity. There’s even a back-up digital camera.

2023 Polaris Slingshot R

Storage is at a premium within the Slingshot, however my tester comes with two lockable cubbies built-in behind the seats which might be sufficiently big to suit our helmets. The glovebox can be big. There’s a small middle console and a bit of rubberized cubby ahead of the gearshift which have room to your telephone and keys. Each occupants have loads of legroom, and the passenger may hold a small backpack with them, however you gained’t need to use it for a lot of in a single day journeys except you pack very flippantly.

We get onto the freeway and I really feel secure, properly largely. There isn’t any rearview mirror and it’s kind of laborious to see what’s within the passenger facet blind spot, even by way of the facet mirrors. Nonetheless, it tracks straight and feels steady. Earlier than I do know it I’m doing 90 mph, a bit too fast for a public street, however scorching rattling, I really feel good. To curb my pace I set the cruise management. It’s not an adaptive system, nevertheless it’s nice to have the ability to set it nearer to the pace restrict and keep away from the fuzz. 

Jen can’t keep for the entire journey, however she has opinions from the appropriate seat. The facet seize bar isn’t in the appropriate place for her and he or she needs for a entrance seize bar as properly. Nonetheless, her greatest criticism is that she by no means feels safe as a passenger. There aren’t any doorways and within the turns she looks like she’s two inches from simply falling out of the rattling factor. For individuals who desire a bit extra safety, the Vanderhall Venice with its increased beltline can be a greater buy. 

2023 Polaris Slingshot R

2023 Polaris Slingshot R

I drop her off and proceed my drive, heading as much as the hills. Right here is the place the Slingshot exhibits its weak spot. On lengthy sweepers it’s a blast, however when the turns get tighter, the only rear wheel has a tough time sustaining grip. It has stability and traction management to assist, however I’m not driving practically as rapidly as I’d in a small sports activities automobile, and I think about of us on actual bikes would move me in a heartbeat. A number of days to study the boundaries of the rear wheel are so as for many who purchase one. The flip facet of this lack of grip is a few epic burnouts. I counsel making an attempt a number of.

Polaris supplies Consolation and Slingshot (learn: Sport) drive modes. With the automated, it is going to tighten up gear modifications, however since I’m already rowing my very own, what I really feel is a little more steering heft. The journey itself is fairly stiff and that doesn’t change between modes. It’s not bone-jarring, however I would discover this tough to drive for hours on finish. Your tolerance could fluctuate.

2023 Polaris Slingshot R

I come to an intersection within the hills and discover that I’m at Prepare dinner’s Nook within the city of Trabuco Canyon, one of the vital in style biker bars in Southern California. “Screw it,” I believe. “I’ll most likely be laughed out of city, however I’m going to see what these of us take into consideration this factor.”

Y’all, they find it irresistible.

From Harley riders to crotch-rocket aficionados, all of them need to chat about it and take a journey. They’re impressed by the handbook transmission and the 200-plus horsepower they usually love, I imply love, the way in which it seems. I’m nonetheless not satisfied, however these powerful biker guys and gals don’t have anything however compliments for the little toy. Heck, upon leaving one biker approaching Prepare dinner’s Nook even provides me a low-key two-fingered wave. OMG, am I cool on this factor? I believe I’m cool!

2023 Polaris Slingshot R

A base Slingshot S runs about $21,500, though costs are a bit increased in California. If you wish to add extra colour choices and the stereo system, step as much as the SL for $27,500. The SLR provides the efficiency tune to the engine and an even bigger rear tire for $30,400, and my prime tester in R trim provides navigation, Apple CarPlay, two-tone paint, and Brembo brakes for $34,000. If you’d like the automated transmission—and also you don’t—count on to pay an additional $1,850 besides within the R trim the place a further $2,150 will get you the slushbox with paddle shifters.

Consumers can even go for one in all 4 accent packages that embody such niceties as a bikini prime—one thing I’d positively need to hold the solar at bay—included storage baggage, a RAM telephone mount, and upgraded inside lighting. 

I didn’t actually count on to take pleasure in my time within the Polaris Slingshot, however I’m strolling away with that feeling you get while you’ve had a very enjoyable day. It’s not a nook carver, it’s not pleasant for lengthy drives, and you may’t actually chat together with your passenger with out an intercom system, however none of that basically issues. The Polaris Slingshot makes individuals smile, and extra importantly, it makes me smile. In a world that not often brings pleasure, the Slingshot delivers. Generally that’s sufficient.

—by Emme Corridor

Polaris supplied lodging for Motor Authority to carry you this firsthand report.