Polaris Slingshot, the high-performance three-wheeler that flexes its muscle in 2020

It has been several years since we last talked about the Polaris Slingshot, a three-wheeled vehicle that is part of the lineup of vehicles designed for high-performance driving. We did expect some modifications in 2020, although they were expected to be purely cosmetic, but they have turned out to be much more than that. One of the most important details made public about the three-wheeler is the new engine that powers this model.

It is a four-cylinder, 2.0-litre naturally aspirated unit developed by the company itself, which they have named Prostar. The manufacturer of this engine has not been disclosed, although Polaris itself has said it has been assembled in Germany “together with some parts from Mercedes-AMG V8“.

There are two variants of the model, and the entry-level version is called Slingshot SL. The engine of this model delivers 180 CV of power and 162 Nm of peak torque, which are sent to the single rear wheel for the best performance from the vehicle. The second model, the Slingshot R, offers more power, reaching 203 CV and 195 Nm of torque. This means it exceeds the original GM engine that initially equipped this model by 29 CV, although its peak torque is reduced by 29 Nm.

The previous engine had a capacity of 2.4 litres, but the new one, with almost half a litre less, is able to accelerate faster and runs much more smoothly. The new engine in the Polaris Slingshot is paired with a manual gearbox, although in this case it is semi-automated to improve shifting, and on the higher-performance version it can also be combined with an automatic gearbox.

As for the interior equipment, the 2020 Polaris Slingshot features new seats, a redesigned steering wheel, an infotainment system with a 7-inch screen, and a rear camera to assist with parking. On the exterior, new headlights and daytime running lights have been added, along with fenders that give it a very dynamic look.

Would you like to drive one of these powerful and eye-catching three-wheelers? You can set aside $26,499 for the Polaris Slingshot SL with automatic gearbox, $30,999 for the Polaris Slingshot R with manual gearbox, or $32,699 if you opt for the version with automatic gearbox.