Some adrenaline junkies climb behind the wheel of a supercar, others hop on a motorcycle to conquer the open road. But there is a third category of vehicles that can offer you an equally thrilling adventure - three-wheelers. This type of vehicle, which is essentially a cross between car and motorcycle, can be insanely fun to drive, with a modest learning curve, which explains their rising popularity.
The latest such vehicle on the market comes from Canadian electric vehicle company Avvenire and is an innovative all-electric three-wheeled roadster called Spiritus Leggera.
Boasting a sleek, sporty design and accessible pricing, the new three-wheeler is poised to give competitors like the Polaris Slingshot and Campagna T-Rex a run for their money. While pricing for the aforementioned vehicles starts at $21,999 and $68,999, respectively, Leggera's entry-level version is priced at just $11,995.
If the Avvenire name sounds familiar to you, it is because the brand used to be a part of Daymak, a Toronto-based company specializing in light electric vehicles, from e-bikes to mobility scooters. Avvenire has branched out into a separate entity and has several state-of-the-art products in its lineup, from enclosed e-bikes to personal flying vehicles.
The latest offering, the Leggera, is aimed at those who are looking for an accessible, utility commuter vehicle that is sustainable and delivers on speed and style. The compact EV is not a car, but it's not a motorcycle either. It rides on three wheels, has open sides where the doors might sit, a sporty profile that resembles high-performance sports cars, and ensures a unique open-air driving experience.
Avvenire offers the all-electric roadster in three variants: Sport, Deluxe, and Ultimate, thus catering to diverse preferences and budgets. All three versions have a low center of gravity, which means they handle great and will allow you to feel more connected to the road, considering you're sitting so close to it.
In terms of specs, the Leggera Sport is the entry-level version. It is a rear-wheel-drive model designed for city driving and takes power from a single 4 kW motor that produces 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of maximum wheel torque. It is capable of a maximum speed of 100 kph (62 mph) and can do the 0 to 50 kph (31 mph) sprint in 4.2 seconds. Its 72V/4.6-kWh lithium battery pack will reportedly ensure a range of up to 105 km (65 miles) per charge, which is quite impressive for its class.
Photo: Avvenire
The all-wheel-drive Deluxe model offers more advanced features and enhanced performance courtesy of its two 4 kW motors (front and rear). Thanks to this setup, it can reach a higher top speed of 110 kph (68 mph) and is capable of accelerating from 0 to 50 kph (31 mph) in just 2.3 seconds. In terms of range, riders will enjoy 145 km (90 miles) from a 7-kWh battery pack. Clients of this model will also get two sets of tires - one for city rides and one for off-road adventures.
Finally, the top-of-the-range Ultimate model takes things even further in terms of power and performance, with two 5 kW motors delivering a combined 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. The acceleration time decreases to 1.7 seconds for this model, while the range spikes to 205 km (127 miles) thanks to its 10-kWh battery.
Two sets of tires and an off-road mode with an electronically limited top speed of 80 kph (50 mph) are also part of the Ultimate package.
Besides its appealing looks and versatility, the Leggera EV roadster stands out for its affordability. What's more, Avvenire is running a special discount for early birds, offering the Sport version to the first 100 buyers who prepay in full at a reduced price of $9,999. Similarly, the Deluxe model can be purchased for just $16,999 with the discount (full price is $20,999) and the Ultimate variant for $27,999 (full price $34,995). Regardless of the model, deliveries are scheduled to start next May.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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