Polaris

The Polaris Slingshot has always looked like a mechanized Zerg ready to devour mile after mile of asphalt. For the 2020 model, looks remain pretty much the same, albeit with a slight touch of extra cohesion overall. It’s the internals, however, that bring the revolution.

Perhaps the biggest change for the Polaris Slingshot is the introduction, for the first time ever, of an automatic gearbox. It’s not an automatic per se, but a hydraulically actuated five-speed manual that will broaden the customer base as the 2020 Slingshot can now be driven by those unwilling to climb in a manual-gearbox vehicle.

When it comes to extreme off-roading, as in pedal-to-the-metal off-roading, there are a couple of companies that manage to delight with their products, as well as some newcomers that are willing to bet on electricity to power their off-road beasts. One such company is Nikola, which has already developed the NZT buggy and its Rambo-like cousin, the Reckless OHV. Today, however, we brought you here to tell you more about the 2020 Polaris RZR Pro XP. This, too, promises to abuse off-road courses and deliver high surges of adrenaline, so let’s check it out.

Originally launched in 2014, the Polaris Sligshot is an open-top three-wheeler joy rider that seeks to find a happy middle ground between street bike exhilaration and roadster-esquecomfort. It’s an interesting proposition for anyone unwilling to go full-on moto style, but still craving a bit of that in-the-elements thrill. As such, there are twin wheels up front for stops and turns, plus a single, larger wheel in the rear providing the motivation, plus a dearth of body panels for maximum exposure in the double seats. Three trim levels are offered, and now, Polaris has announced a new special edition iteration of the mid-grade SL line. It’s called the SL LE Midnight Cherry, and it’s packing new paint, upgraded “touring” graphics, and specially padded foam bucket seats.

“This limited edition model was created for riders to discover the exhilaration and adventure of the open road in the most luxurious and stylish SL available, while not compromising comfort.”

So then in one sense, the Slingshot SL LE Midnight Cherry is like a trike grand tourer. Complementing this perspective is a plethora of options, such as abundant side storage, overnight bags for the driver and passenger, upgradeable interior trim, and available all-weather covers.

The Slingshot SL Limited Edition Midnight Cherry will hit dealers this month. Pricing is set at $26,999 across the nation and $27,299 in California, which is $1,500 more than the standard Sligshot SL model.

Read on for further details.

Continue reading to learn more about the Slingshot SL Limited Edition Midnight Cherry.

One of the cool things about the SEMA Auto Show is the likelihood of seeing concepts or show cars that we probably wouldn’t be able to see in any normal setting. In some ways, it’s where automakers and aftermarket tuners go to live out their fantasies. No where else is that more evident than with what Polaris Industries and Bob Fehan Motorsports built together as a showcase concept for SEMA. It’s called the Slingshot Kid Rock SS-R Concept and as the name so obviously indicates, it’s a tribute to Detroit rapper Kid Rock.

The aftermarket components on the Slingshot are significant and the treatment given to the three-wheeled roadster reflect the boisterous personality of the man they call the “American Badass.” As somebody who grew up listening to Kid Rock, this is the kind of tribute piece that I can get on board with. Not that it needs my stamp of approval because on its own, it’s already a showstopper in a lot of ways.

From the custom graphics to the new body panels and an uprated 2.4-liter engine that pumps out around 400 horsepower, the Slingshot Kid Rock SS-R Concept is as bold and as flamboyant as the man from which it’s inspired from. I don’t really know what Kid Rock’s up to these days, but I don’t think he’s going to have any problems being associated with this custom three-wheeler. If anything, we might even end up seeing him in one in the future.

Continue after the jump to read more about the Slingshot Kid Rock SS-R Concept.

The old saying that “trouble comes in threes” seems to hold true for North American Slingshot owners as Polaris Industries releases three safety bulletins that have resulted in a recall in Canada with the same probably on the horizon for U.S. Slingshot SL and SLR owners. When it comes to safety-related problems, I view the Slingshot the same way I view motorcycles; every problem is a safety-related problem. Even if you don’t share my pessimistic views on the subject, I think you’ll have to agree that all three of these rate as mildly alarming at the very least. The following recall numbers are for Canada, but we can probably expect similar numbers here in the States.

Continue reading for more information on the Slingshot bulletins.

The weather is getting warmer, which means it might be time to go for a ride. Of course, full enjoyment of sun and sky requires a bit of cage-free motoring, and while some opt for two wheels between their thighs, others prefer the recline of a trike. While slightly more practical and a good deal more comfortable than a motorcycle, these three-wheeled machines are still very much out in the elements, offering a lot of the same benefits of a bike, but with fewer drawbacks. Polaris’ offering in this space is the Slingshot, and now, there’s a limited edition model that comes packing some very spiffy styling upgrades.

It’s called the Blue Fire SL, and mechanically, it’s identical to its non-exclusive brethren. That means two wheels for steering and stopping up front, one wheel for burnouts in back, and two seats in the middle. The stance hugs the ground, giving passengers a visceral sense of speed when in motion, and the suspension set-up was tuned to encourage a little back-road enthusiasm. 

So what makes the Blue Fire unique? Read on to find out.

Continue reading to learn more about the Polaris Slingshot Blue Fire SL Limited Edition.

It was a little over a year ago that Polaris had to issue a stop-sale, no-drive recall on its sporty, three-wheeler known as the Slingshot. At the time, it was said that defective bearings in the steering rack could cause the loss of steering, plus the roll-over hoops on some models weren’t strong enough to support the performance of the vehicle. Since then, Polaris has apparently fixed the problems and has now released a video of Tanner Foust tearing up the streets and parking lots of San Diego, California with a modified 2015 Polaris Slingshot SL.

Needless to say, his slingshot has probably been through the recall, as he was certainly giving it a good beating. The Slingshot in the video has a turbocharged 2.4-liter Ecotech engine along with an AEM ignition system, QA1 Coil-overs, and a Willwood brake system with 14-inch rotors and six-piston calipers. The tuned three-wheeler also rides on HRE wheels with Continental tires. It’s really not a bad setup for a little death machine.

There isn’t really much to say about the video – it is just Faust doing what we all wish we had the freedom to do on the street. Nevertheless, it’s fun to watch. It’s quite interesting to see the slingshot drifting and burning out around San Diego, so crank up the volume and enjoy this four-minute video. I sure did.

Launched with bells and whistles as the three-wheeler that both bikers and sports car aficionados will love, the 2015 Polaris Slingshot has had a rather troublesome start to its career. First issue was that it couldn’t be registered in Texas because it didn’t have a saddle; then it couldn’t be registered in Connecticut because it has an enclosed driver seat and an engine that’s covered. And now we have strike three, as Polaris has released a recall stating that all Slingshot models should stop being sold and/or driven anywhere in the world. The reason is both simple and terrifying at the same time, since it’s possible that three-wheeled Polaris models may have defective ball bearings in the steering rack which can cause a total loss of steering, while the roll-over hoops on certain models might not "support the Polaris’ performance specifications."

In other words, driving the Polaris Slingshot at full throttle along a mountain pass may result in a serious injury due to loss of control due to the bearings, while the supposedly protective roll hoops could collapse should things get upside-down. Not exactly the best kind of advertising for the new sports vehicle. Apparently, all Slingshot owners received a letter informing them to stop taking their rides for a spin, while sales have been stopped at Polaris dealers until the scary safety issues are resolved.

There is currently no information regarding exactly how many vehicles may actually be affected by the problems, but Polaris dealers should be getting a service bulletin this week, while the repair parts will begin appearing in the dealer order system in a few days. Meanwhile, if you own a Polaris Slingshot you may want to park it for a little while.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Polaris Slingshot.

The line between cars and motorcycles is getting thinner every day. Morgan’s Three Wheeler is open topped and uses the majority of bike’s powertrain for proulsion. Track day toys like the Ariel Atom promise the same type of acceleration as superbikes, and KTM, a motorcycle company, even builds a competitor to the Atom called the X-Bow. On the motorcycle side Can-Am has the Spyder, which is essentially a reversed trike. For 2015 we can add one more name to the list of motorcycle-car `tweeners: the Polaris Slingshot. The Slingshot features a design similar to the X-Bow, complete with a side-by-side seating arrangement, but it brings in the three-wheel layout of the Can-Am and Morgan.

Propulsion comes from a 2.4-liter, Ecotec four-cylinder sourced from General Motors that sends 173 ponies to the pavement. Yes, it’s time to yell "at least!" The Morgan 3-Wheeler is finally getting a competitor that can be acquired on U.S. soil without having to worry about import taxes and other headache-inducing duties.

Update 7/28/2014: Polaris has officially unveiled the long-awaited Slingshot. Read more after the jump

Click past the jump to read a little more on the Polaris Slingshot.

Track-oriented three-wheeled race cars are a niche market that belongs to a select few of vehicles, including the Campagna T-Rex 14RR, the Morgan Three-Wheeler, and the Can-Am Spyder.

If these recent U.S. Patent Office sketches are any indication, it looks like recreational automaker wants to join in on the party with their version, the Slingshot.

Considering that Polaris is regarded as an eccentric auto brand that has a penchant to build some wonky off-roaders, we’re not the least bit surprised that their next project is something along those lines.

The sketches reveal, first and foremost, a three-wheeled vehicle whose overall bodywork - minus the chassis configuration - resembles that of the KTM X-Bow. It might even resemble it a little too much; something we think KTM might even have a problem with should Polaris green light production for the Slingshot.

Regardless, that’s not our business to dive into. As far as we’re concerned, the Slingshot looks pretty cool and if it can have the same amount of power as its competitors possess - somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 horsepower - it should make for an awesome ride.

If the car ever reached production, it’d likely feature a 2.4-liter General Motors-sourced four-cylinder engine delivering just over 200 horsepower and mated to a manual transmission.

Just like the Morgan 3 Wheeler, the Polaris Slingshot will be driven by its single rear-wheel and even though no details have been released about a possible release date, this lightweight and most-likely affordable sports car is something to get truly excited about!