The Polaris Slingshot three-wheeler is not for shrinking violets

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  Sometimes you just get curious. This is a Polaris Slingshot, which starts at $20,999. [credit: Jonathan Gitlin ]

I hope curiosity for curiosity's sake is sufficient reason to drive a car. In this case not even a car, not technically. With only three wheels, the Polaris Slingshot counts as a motorcycle when it comes to federal motor vehicle requirements, but it gets treated like a car by many state DMVs. This dichotomy has given birth to other unconventional fare like Arcimoto or Electra Meccanica's trikes. But unlike either of those, Slingshot isn't electric; I really did say "yes" to the press loan out of sheer curiosity.

I see Slingshots being driven in DC relatively often-usually in the summer. Once, memorably, a double-file convoy of at least 20 went down Massachusetts Ave. in better grid formation than you'd ever see at the start of a Le Mans or NASCAR race. With "The Imperial March" playing. Loudly. Like I said, I got curious.

I know saying that a vehicle looks like nothing else is a clichi(C), and it's not really true anyway. The Slingshot's layout is front-engined and rear-wheel drive, as practiced by other manufacturers like the Morgan 3 Wheeler and the Grinnall Scorpion. Instead of a lightweight motorcycle engine, the Slingshot uses a 2.4L GM Ecotec engine, which makes it a good deal heavier than either of those (although at 1,749lbs (791kg) it's still much, much lighter than anything else you'll encounter on the road). The Slingshot has pedals-three of them, including a clutch for the five-speed manual transmission. Because it's a bike, the engine's 177hp (132kW) and 166lb-ft (225Nm) is transmitted to the rear wheel by a belt, not a driveshaft. It even has traction and stability control.

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