News – Polaris catapults into the three-wheeler with the Slingshot – A 3.8 m, 175 hp and 782 kg slingshot

Posted on by admin

Polaris catapults into the three-wheeler with the Slingshot

News - Polaris catapults into the three-wheeler with the Slingshot - A 3.8 m, 175 hp and 782 kg slingshot

Like its neighbor and Canadian rival BRP, the American giant Polaris has decided to invest in the recreational three-wheeler niche … Its future customers will indeed be able to laugh: the Slingshot develops no less than 173 hp and 225 Nm. Action !

A 3.8 m slingshot, 175 hp and 782 kg

Not content with attacking Harley-Davidson in the two-wheeler market and on two fronts via its two brands and, Polaris Industries has decided to enter the three-wheel segment, where the Milwaukee Tri Glide is already facing competition. Can-Am Spyder (read our).

To win against heavyweights like Harley-Davidson and BRP (parent company of Can-Am), Polaris has not skimped: its new machine is by far the most powerful on the market. The 2.4-liter in-line 4-cylinder (with variable valve timing, see the full technical sheet on the following page) develops no less than 173 hp at 6,200 rpm and 225 Nm from 4,500 rpm !

With an announced curb weight of 782 kg, acceleration and pick-up actually promise to be "thrilling". The designers are particularly confident on this point: otherwise, why baptize their funny machine Slingshot?" Slingshot "in English !

Whether his name is Pierre, Paul or Matthieu, the pilot should experience sacred sensations, increased tenfold by a cockpit placed at ground level. When coming out of a bend, it may also be very funny to the single rear wheel driven by a belt, a cardan shaft and a 5-speed gearbox….

Like its cousin Spyder, the Slingshot comes as standard with a complete set of electronic piloting assistance: ABS, ESP (programmed electro-stabilizer!) And traction control ensure grain to contain the ardor of the engine and attempt to limit the damage potentially generated by the ardor of the driver !

"Three-wheeled vehicles may react differently than other vehicles, especially in wet conditions", warns the manufacturer, which encourages its future customers to"always wear a helmet and fasten the seat belt".

On his, Polaris specifies that "Slingshot is a three-wheeled motorcycle. It’s not an automobile, it ain’t got no airbags (airbag in "French", NDLR) and it does not meet automotive safety standards".

In terms of pleasure, however, this tricycle should supplant many four-wheelers … and rise to the level of a two-wheeler? On the steering wheel of the Slingshot precisely, we would take as much pleasure to catapult in the straights as to dive into the turns..

"You will want to charge (attack, Editor’s note) thoroughly at each turn", guarantees the manufacturer! In addition to the strong accelerations (longitudinal as well as lateral therefore), the pilot and his co-pilot seated at his side should be grayed out by"an exhilarating amalgamation of sounds and smells"…

Like its other designated rival, KTM’s X-Bow, the Slingshot is indeed without a roof and doors. Like Katoche’s four-wheeler and Harley and Can-Am three-wheelers, this new Polaris machine is intended for purely recreational use….

The price of the toy? 19,999 US dollars for the standard version, 4000 more for the better equipped SL version. Site is investigating French officials to find out more about the marketing of the "slingshot" on our side of the Atlantic: stay tuned !

Matthieu BRETILLE – Manufacturer photos

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *