One Of The Strangest Things To Hit The Streets.


The Slingshot R is a true showstopper. It’s the ultimate statement, with an enhanced, bold paint scheme and the best in features and style. The Slingshot R comes with additional horsepower, paddle shifters (AutoDrive), unparalleled finishes and styling, and Technology Package 3 featuring turn-by-turn navigation and connected services. Settle for nothing but the best with the Slingshot R. The next time you see someone driving around in a Polaris Slingshot, don’t snicker: They’re probably having a lot more fun behind the wheel than you are. I would know, because I used to be a dyed-in-the-wool Slingshot hater. However, after a week using one as a daily runabout, I have a new appreciation for the three-wheeler’s emphasis on driving excitement at all costs, even if it does require significant compromises.



The 2021 Polaris Slingshot R represents the best of the breed, with updates for this model year that include a Rockford Fosgate audio system with standard Apple CarPlay, revised styling, and an optional “Autodrive” transmission with paddle shifters. However, my tester was equipped with the standard five-speed manual gearbox, a must for maximum driver enjoyment. Of course, not even those updates can compensate fully for the Slingshot’s tiny footprint and attendant compromises – namely a lack of storage space and limited weather protection – so Polaris is still cautious to market the cyclecar as a weekend toy, not a daily driver.


