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.
2016 Polaris Slingshot Kid Rock SS-R Concept
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- Model: 2016 Polaris Slingshot Kid Rock SS-R Concept
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Exterior
Knowing what the Polaris Slingshot looks like in standard guise, I was half-expecting the front end of the Kid Rock SS-R Concept to actually bear the face of the rapper, so color me a bit disappointed that it still looks like the stock Slingshot. The good news is that every other bit of the three-wheeler’s exterior has been modified or changed altogether. The body panels, for example, are now made from carbon fiber with matching hydrographic carbon fiber body trim.
The standard windshield has also been replaced with a polycarbonate hard-coated version and lights have been replaced with custom variants are presumably brighter and last longer now. Then there’s the carbon fiber being spoiler, which isn’t only there for cosmetic decorations but just as important is its ability to help increase the downforce over the third wheel. Last but certainly not least are the Kid Rock graphics spread throughout the three-wheeler. They actually look more like liveries than actual graphics, but I suppose the difference can be chalked up to semantics.
Interior
Note: Standard Polaris Slingshot pictured here.
We’re actually talking about a very little amount of real estate as far as the interior is concerned, but even with the limited space, Bob Fehan Motorsports was able to add some significant modifications to the cabin. Chief among them is the custom racing seats, which come with custom-embroidered “Kid Rock SS-R” logos on the seat faces. The safety belts and soft doors also got upgrades, as did the flat-bottom steering wheel, short-throw shifter, and racing pedals. There’s also a new rearview with mirror, which comes with its own integrated navigation display and a separate display for an in-vehicle video system. All these items are new to the Kid Rock SS-R Concept.
Drivetrain
The biggest news in this regard is the Slingshot Kid Rock SS-R Concept’s output of around 400 horsepower that Slingshot and Bob Fehan Motorsports accomplished by installing a custom intercooled turbocharging system on the Slingshot’s standard 2.4-liter engine. Considering that the standard output from the same engine only reaches 173 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque, getting that power figure up to 400 horsepower is an achievement in it of itself. T
hat said, there are inherent risks that come with giving a three-wheeler that much power to play with. That’s why Bob Fehan and his crew went ahead and installed three-way-adjustable road-race shocks and a billet aluminum rear shock mount to be able to handle the extra power. A road-race stabilizer bar, bushings, and adjustable links are also included in the list of suspension upgrades and cross-drilled, high-performance brake rotors help ensure that the concept three-wheeler has the stopping power to handle the extra power.
Conclusion
I like what Polaris and Bob Fehan Motorsports did with the Kid Rock SS-R Concept. The cosmetic additions help make the car stand out more than it already can in stock form. The upgrades on the interior are impressive given what they were working with. But best of all, that 400-horsepower output should be a load of fun for anyone who gets behind the wheel of this Polaris. I know that there are inherent risks involved with three-wheelers that are marketed as performance vehicles, but if you know what you're doing with this car, I won't begrudge you for trying to get it to perform to its peak potential. Just make sure you're wearing a helmet when you do.