Of late, Polaris Slingshot, the show-stopping, adventure-seeking three-wheeled vehicle, announced their partnership with ROUSH®–introducing a special edition model with an array of factory accessories and performance-inspired styling. Since 2015, many states have classified them as motorcycles and required special operating permits. Today, a standard driver’s license is all that’s needed in 49 states, as Massachusetts is the only state still requiring a motorcycle endorsement. The Slingshot ROUSH Edition joins the four-model lineup this year, including base model Slingshot S, mid-tier models SL and SLR, as well as the top-of-the-line Slingshot R model.
Polaris Slingshot vice president Chris Sergeant, a Wharton MBA alumni, elaborates on their collaboration,
“[Roush] Known for a lot of their work with Ford, the Mustang and the F150 and as we started talking to them, we sensed a lot of overlap in the kind of the core brand principles where they build products linked to the performance lifestyle, and while Slingshot is more about style and ‘experiencing the road with joy’ than pure performance… So, we decided to see what it would look like if we were to do a Slingshot/Roush edition… That brings Roush’s performance lifestyle DNA together with Slingshot’s top of the line performance, our DNA, and came together with an offering like nothing else on the road.”
Upon receiving an exclusive invitation, 360 MAGAZINE accepted a 2-night stay at Pasea Spa & Hotel in Huntington Beach for an immersive activation complete with fresh seafood. With a plethora of options for shopping, dining, and relaxation, this was the perfect opportunity for us to spend some one-on-one time with our favorite tri-wheel while soaking up some sun.
Now that Polaris Slingshot has entered post pandemic, the brand is awakened by consumers becoming even more youthful in spirit and in age. After all, working and/or living within a few miles of your destination heightened awareness with eco-conscious alternatives effortlessly captured by the newfound demo. Imagine, a last-minute grocery run will never be the same, taking the mundane chores and making them more interesting.
DESIGN
Polaris Slingshot offers an array of color pallettes for this season. The overall silhouette is the same, but its skin is a tad avant-garde, drawing from 70s tones like sea foam and a carribean orange. Moreover, the interior cabin is enunciated with bespoke-like appointments: colored stitching on the seats, rear suspension coils as well as bodacious brembo calipers. These are all aftermarket customizations that you would witness from your favorite rapper sighting. At one point, we begin spitting bars. Literally, the Slingshot continues to elevate the psychic like we were on a sold-out North American music tour. And, just when you thought it was coming to the an end – a black cape or canopy appears. Clearly, the imagination goes wild when you morph into a superhero during a red light.
The Slingshot excursion top has an integrated toolless install and easy removal soft top with improved driver headroom and visibility. It provides added luxury, comfort (shade), and style with race-car style cues. Plus, it transforms the ride into a bat mobile or a red carpet slayer.
For an enhanced driving experience, the pedal covers by Sparco® provide better foot grip and stitches the racing-inspired theme throughout. The short accelerator pedal is paired with a shorter/wider brake and clutch pedal for assured control, unleashing the 11yro kid at a what felt like a go-cart.
Designed at the intersection of jawdropping looks and performance lifestyle, the Slingshot constantly delivers a sassy attitude – reminiscent of saucy dance routines on TikTok with gyrating hips.
PERFORMANCE
The highly stylized Slingshot now boasts a 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine model, delivering 203 HP and 144 lb-ft of torque. Offered in both manual and automatic transmission, the automated drive while in Slingshot mode delivers a more visceral driving experience (like a robust wifi connection). Both the driver and rider feel the clutch drop into gears.
The Paddle Shifters are designed from high-quality composite material to deliver feedback while in motion while exaggerating the exhaust notes. Not only are you being seen, but you’re being heard too.
Providing unrivaled stopping power, the four-piston Brembo® Brakes come standard on the ROUSH® Edition. The slotted Brembo® front brake rotors are 14% larger than the standard and feature fixed calipers. It reminded me of prom – a beaded and sequins cummerbund slash bow tie combo. Um, laugh if you want, but this NHS President was nominated for ‘King.’
TECHNOLOGY
With additional wattage as well as speaker/tweeter placement (near headrest) provided by Rockford Fosgate® Audio Kit, the overall sound quality has been strategically enriched. Not to mention, a more dynamic infotainment system with color 7” display powered by RIDE COMMAND, includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
All told, the Polaris Slingshot is a lethal combination of sensuous fortitude (think prissy tomboy), largely thanks to badging, intuitive technology, and innovative colorways. Hence, the ‘elephant in the room’ just got larger.
For information on Slingshot rental locations, visit Adventures.Polaris.com.
Learn more about the spectrum of Slingshots at Slingshot.Polaris.com. On social media: /PolarisSlingshot on Facebook, @Slingshot on Twitter, and @PolarisSlingshot on Instagram.
