After weeks of anticipation, the big day for Polaris and the fans of extreme vehicles has finally arrived: the Slingshot reverse trike was revealed, together with a lot of info and the most expected detail of them all: the price. While the industry rumors had this vehicle as a direct rival of the KTM X-Bow, it looks like the Slingshot is aiming for a noticeably larger pool of potential customers, as its base version slots in just under the $20,000 (€14,885) mark.
As expected, Polaris delivers two version of the Slingshot, even though it’s only the optional accessories which make the difference between the two. Both the Slingshot and the Slingshot SL are identical on a technical level, but for customers who really want a vehicle which stands from the crowd, the latter is the no-brainer solution. The SL retails for $23,999 (€17,860) with a blade windshield, a premium wheel kit and the Polaris infotainment kit.
The Slingshot is powered by a 2,384cc DOHC VVT engine with a 7,000-rev limit and which can produce 173 hp at 6,200 rpm, with 166 lb-ft (225Nm) of torque at 4,700 revs, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with reverse via a dry, single-plate clutch. ABS, electronic stability control, traction control, speed-sensitive power steering, a sway bar for the double wishbone independent suspensions, forged aluminium roll bars, and low-height premium tires are also stock.
Polaris asked Kenda to design and manufacture the tires for the Slingshot, so we’re kind of speaking about custom shoes for the cast or forged aluminium wheels. Cast ones for the base version and 10-spoke forged units for the SL, with the special edition ones being even wider and sportier.
Truth be told, as cool as the absence of doors is, seeing common 3-point belts on the Slingshot made us feel very insecure, with a 5-point or at least a 4-point harness being a more appropriate solution in this case. The base version weighs 1,666 lbs (755 kg), while the SL is just a little heavier, both with a 5” (12.7 cm) ground clearance. Four 55W projectors (two outboard) and full LED lighting will also make seeing and being seen a lot easier.
Additional accessories are also available, including male and female apparel. For more details and availability, please contact your local Polaris dealers or their website. So far, only two liveries are available, the metallic silver one for the Slingshot and the red one for the Slingshot SL.
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