For my birthday last week Tinka rented for a day a 2021 Polaris Slingshot. I have seen these many times on the highway and cruising around town.
The driving experience and overall feel is not exactly what one would expect from looking at a photo of the vehicle, but it nonetheless is totally fun! The Slingshot provides an open air, go-kart-like experience with no top and no doors.
The front is as wide as a Lamborghini Hurracan, so the wide stance of the front tires can provide stability for the single driven tire in the back.
The brake pedal feels like marshmallow. The gas pedal feels like it has discrete positions of off/low/medium/high.
The engine has surprisingly little torque for its 173 horsepower, but I think the torque is de-tuned so the drive wheel doesn't slip too easily.
The engine is weirdly rough and wheezing when you accelerate. The transmission sounds like it is doing a lot of heavy lifting, but it is not clear why. The engine and the transmission sound and feel more “farm equipment” than “race car.”
None of these quibbles matter when you are behind the wheel of the Slingshot. Tinka and I love this thing!
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