Currently reading: Polaris Slingshot tricycle revealed with 171bhp

American-made tricycle costs £14,000 and weighs just 790kgs, but it's unlikely to come to the UK

The Polaris Slingshot, a three-wheeled tricycle which will reportedly go on sale in the US in September, has been revealed.

The Slingshot is powered by a 2.4-litre Ecotec engine with 171bhp and 166lb ft of torque. That's connected to a five-speed manual transmission, while the kerb weight of the Slingshot sits at 790kgs. The model sits on 18-inch wheels at the front, with larger 20-inch units at the rear.

Inside, drivers get analogue instruments and a 4.3-inch central display screen, which incorporates a reversing camera, Bluetooth integration, USB audio input and six speakers. Storage units behind both seats are large enough to hold a race helmet, says Polaris, while there's also a locking glove box in the cockpit.

As a Tricycle rather than a car, all Slingshot drivers must have a valid motorcycle license, and must wear helmets when driving the model.

Prices for the Polaris Slingshot start at $23,999 in the US, equivalent to around £14,000. 

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Sporky McGuffin 30 July 2014

Ah, the trike. All the

Ah, the trike. All the disadvantages of a car, all the disadvantages of a bike, but with the advantage of marking the owner out as a bit of a twit.
michael knight 29 July 2014

Looks great..

.....especially for the money. Polaris are well known in US outdoor circles so this comes with a decent pedigree too. That exchange-rate makes it look pretty enticing right now.
Moparman 29 July 2014

Parital explanation from a Stateside perspective

Polaris is a well-known maker of all terrain vehicles here in the States. The reason that Polaris has made an effort to get this classified as a motorcycle is that, otherwise, it would have to conform to the safety regs including airbags and crash protection that would increase development costs and on-sale price. There is a trike on sale here with more of a motorcycle stance that has become quite popular (the name escapes me but the nightmarish looks have not) so this is a way to tap that market for middle-aged people (and they wouldn't want to have to turn their heads to back up) who want something relatively compact and open but not a two-wheeled conveyance. I think it is decent looking but they could have found a better engine to use than the old GM 2.4 litre.