RE: Polaris Slingshot launched
Tuesday 29th July 2014
Alright, so perhaps the 3 Wheeler comparison was a touch disingenuous. It's hard not to mention it when cars with only one rear wheel are being discussed. Because whereas the little Moggy appears a jolly little thing, a trike for tootling off to the village pub, the Polaris Slingshot is an altogether more serious proposition.
Three-wheeled X-Bow?The name 'Slingshot' already implies a fairly intense drive, as do press pics with fully helmeted occupants. A goggles and driving gloves trike this is not.
Polaris Slingshot launched
Morgan 3 Wheeler a little too timid? Wouldn't you know, the Americans have an alternative
Three-wheeled X-Bow?
The Slingshot is heavier than the 3 Wheeler at 771kg but is more powerful, using a 175hp 2.4-litre GM engine. The five speed-manual transmits power to that chunky rear tyre (on a 20-inch rim) through a carbon reinforced drive belt.
The Slingshot comes with more equipment than you would perhaps expect (or indeed want) from a stripped out trike. As well as power steering and ESC, there's Bluetooth (with a helmet on?), a reversing camera (on a trike?) and a locking glovebox (that one could actually be useful).
Prices start at just $20K (£11,800) over in the States for a Slingshot but UK availability is unconfirmed. See here for its promo video and attempt to suppress the urge that you may quite fancy one.
 |
 |
Discussion
at the heavily understated video. "Its like playing chicken with a hurricane" (And it looks like this thing lost!)Yeah, I don't get the three wheeler thing either. I appreciate the post-war rationing where there weren't enough wheels to go around or there were heaps of old fighter plane starter motors laying around and people wanting cheap transport (Vespa) but in this day and age? Then one wonders is there some sort of advantage with having only one wheel at the back? Then you can't help but compare that with that Nissan Deltawing, which is the same thing but done completely the opposite....
Motor cycles are great for avoiding traffic but not so good in the rain... cars, great in the rain but not so good in traffic.
This, however, takes both sets of disadvantages and combines them while negating both sets of advantages.
Is that not what everyone thinks about these cars? It seems like the only people who ride trikes (which are more common than three wheeler cars) are people with physical impairments who can't ride 2 wheel motorcycles.
I fully get the fun and ridiculousness of a three wheeler car, but I imagine that novelty wears off after 1 drive, 1 rainy day, or one traffic jam.
No?
This, however, takes both sets of disadvantages and combines them while negating both sets of advantages.
Is that not what everyone thinks about these cars? It seems like the only people who ride trikes (which are more common than three wheeler cars) are people with physical impairments who can't ride 2 wheel motorcycles.
I fully get the fun and ridiculousness of a three wheeler car, but I imagine that novelty wears off after 1 drive, 1 rainy day, or one traffic jam.
No?
Perfect for carving up a twisty canyon road -- just as depicted in the video.
I gotta say though...
About halfway through the video, I burst out laughing. The editing and the voiceovers are over the top. As if conceived by teenaged boys.
The result resembles a satire. Like a faux ad in an episode of The Simpsons.
The three wheel thing is due to US rules. A three wheeled vehicle can be sold and registered as a motorcycle, which gets around the safety and emissions rules of automobiles.
In many US states, vehicles like Caterhams and KTM XBows are not road legal unless sold as kits, assembled by the customer, and registered under home build exemptions.
When you consider that Caterhams, XBows, and Atoms cost over $60K in the States, this vehicle approach starts to make a lot more sense.
In many US states, vehicles like Caterhams and KTM XBows are not road legal unless sold as kits, assembled by the customer, and registered under home build exemptions.
When you consider that Caterhams, XBows, and Atoms cost over $60K in the States, this vehicle approach starts to make a lot more sense.
Edited by articulatedj on Tuesday 29th July 15:40
IrishAsal said:
Motor cycles are great for avoiding traffic but not so good in the rain... cars, great in the rain but not so good in traffic.
This, however, takes both sets of disadvantages and combines them while negating both sets of advantages.
Is that not what everyone thinks about these cars? It seems like the only people who ride trikes (which are more common than three wheeler cars) are people with physical impairments who can't ride 2 wheel motorcycles.
I fully get the fun and ridiculousness of a three wheeler car, but I imagine that novelty wears off after 1 drive, 1 rainy day, or one traffic jam.
No?
No...This, however, takes both sets of disadvantages and combines them while negating both sets of advantages.
Is that not what everyone thinks about these cars? It seems like the only people who ride trikes (which are more common than three wheeler cars) are people with physical impairments who can't ride 2 wheel motorcycles.
I fully get the fun and ridiculousness of a three wheeler car, but I imagine that novelty wears off after 1 drive, 1 rainy day, or one traffic jam.
No?
$3000 dollars gets you a stage 1 supercharger kit in the US as well giving an extra 75bhp on the GM 2.4.
exhaust and a bit more fettling giving 100bhp.
Be 'cheeky' with a sub 800kg weight and 275bhp with 1 wheel drive all for less than £15k
exhaust and a bit more fettling giving 100bhp.
Be 'cheeky' with a sub 800kg weight and 275bhp with 1 wheel drive all for less than £15k
Edited by dukebox9reg on Tuesday 29th July 16:02
articulatedj said:
The three wheel thing is due to US rules. A three wheeled vehicle can be sold and registered as a motorcycle, which gets around the safety and emissions rules of automobiles.
In many US states, vehicles like Caterhams and KTM XBows are not road legal unless sold as kits, assembled by the customer, and registered under home build exemptions.
When you consider that Caterhams, XBows, and Atoms cost over $60K in the States, this vehicle approach starts to make a lot more sense.
Incidentally, this is why the driver and passenger are always shown wearing helmets, which are mandatory for motorcycle riders. My guess (hope) is that they engineered the windscreen to allow for illegal headwear-free motoring.In many US states, vehicles like Caterhams and KTM XBows are not road legal unless sold as kits, assembled by the customer, and registered under home build exemptions.
When you consider that Caterhams, XBows, and Atoms cost over $60K in the States, this vehicle approach starts to make a lot more sense.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff