The Polaris Slingshot

The Slingshot has been long rumored for Polaris, but never confirmed. New information released in a recent document outlining organizational changes for the company makes mention of a 2014 release for the Slingshot product line. At first glance, the Slingshot looks like the love child of a KTM X-Bow and a Morgan 3-Wheeler. It rides on three wheels like the latter, while it sports an open-top, side-by-side design like the former. Even its styling cues lead us to the KTM 

, although we wouldn’t go as far as to say Polaris looked at the X-Bow while designing its vehicle. It’s the X-shaped front fascia that makes us think of the KTM, but the Slingshot definitely has a design all its own.

The nose is sharper, the hood is slightly longer, and the bumper is nothing more than a pair of thin blades paired with a large splitter. The headlamps are pushed toward the edges of the front end, while a pair of additional light units are fitted right on the center of the nose, above the intake slot. There are no doors on the sides — a typical feat for such a vehicle — while the rear end is plain and simple, with only the third wheel in sight. Sure, the Slingshot is a tad too basic for a car, but Polaris is aiming at a completely different market, with customers looking for an extreme vehicle that’s light and fast. No room for fancy stuff like doors, fenders or convenience features. Speaking of non-existing fenders, the Slingshot’s body panels are made from rustproof, lightweight and impact-resistant polymer.

The base version weighs in at 1,666 pounds, with a few pounds added when the SL model is selected. The vehicle’s interior is equally simple, but sporty. Essentially wrapped in a motorsport-like roll-cage, the cockpit consists of a bare-aluminum floor, a large center console that splits the area in two and a simple dashboard. Despite its spartan design, some features hint that the Slingshot is a machine built in the 21st century. These include a 4.3-inch LCD screen that incorporates a back up camera, Bluetooth connectivity and an audio system that comes with six speakers. Adjustable, waterproof seating and tilt steering are standard, while two storage bins are mounted behind the seats. However, the bins fit no more than a helmet or a standard backpack. That’s enough for a day at the track or a trip up and down a mountain road, but you shouldn’t plan your vacation in a Polaris.

Safety-wise, the Slingshot comes with three-point seat belts, which, truth be told, is a bit worrying. All we can hope is that Polaris will introduce five-point harnesses once the vehicle is launched.