Three-wheeled adventure
7/6/2022
As a new grandma, exploring a vehicle’s safety features is important. Keeping the precious baby cargo safe is foremost on my mind. Yet, a grandma also needs some adventure!
I discovered a thrilling venture with just three wheels. The Polaris Slingshot offers the comfort of a convertible, but it’s a motorcycle. Or is it? Whatever you call it, it’s an exciting change of pace for our Cars in the City column.
The Polaris Slingshot SL is classified as an autocycle. It requires a motorcycle plate registration because it weighs less than 1,700 pounds, but a driver doesn’t need a motorcycle license to drive it.
The completely open-air model doesn’t have doors or a top. Unlike a motorcycle, you don’t straddle it; you simply climb down into the cockpit. OK, it’s not that simple, as it requires flexibility to maneuver body parts around the steering wheel. It is similar to sitting in a low sports car or a go-cart.
I drove the automatic version; however, reports say the manual version is more responsive. Remember, it’s not completely car-like. If you’ve stopped on a hill, even in automatic, it will roll back.
The backup camera comes in handy. Look at your rearview mirror, and the seatbacks and rollbar obscure the view. The side mirrors are small, about the size of a scooter’s mirrors.
To start, you simply push a button. With AVS brakes, front-wheel drive and 178 horsepower, it’s an energizing takeoff.
There’s a small windscreen, which makes it completely open air. It runs noisy, but, obviously, you’re not inside with the doors shut.
It’s car-like with a 7-inch display panel, USB charger in the glove box and a Rockford Fosgate audio system. Cup holders and a small storage space in the center console hold a few items. Two small storage areas behind each seat accommodates an average sized duffel bag or a couple bags of groceries. You can’t take this to Costco and expect to load up your vehicle with cases of toilet paper.
It’s a different feel than a convertible; however, you can experience more “wind in the hair” moments. Steering is more racecar-like — it takes two hands to make turns. Here’s my tip: If you’re shooting video with your camera, try slowing things down to less than 70 mph.
The passenger is king. In a motorcycle, a passenger views the back of the driver’s head. In a Slingshot, both the driver and passenger experience the same open-road feel.
There’s no HVAC system. Nature cools you off instead. There’s abundant air flow; however, the black seats on a 90-degree day create a sweaty backside. Dress accordingly, or purchase the model with the cooled/heated seats option.
If it rains, no problem. Everything in the cockpit and seating area is waterproof. Water drains out the bottom if it gets wet.
For those wanting a motorcycle experience, it’s easy to handle and maneuver. The model driven came in at $28,000. Slingshots offer five models to choose from, and drivers can accessorize with an excursion top, colored lights and more.
Driving along in a Slingshot generates many stares from curious drivers along the road. You feel like you’re in a Batmobile traveling out of Gotham City. Instead, you’re just a grandma out for an adventure-filled ride. ♦
