The Polaris Slingshot has always looked like a mechanized Zerg ready to devour mile after mile of asphalt. For the 2020 model, looks remain pretty much the same, albeit with a slight touch of extra cohesion overall. It’s the internals, however, that bring the revolution.

Perhaps the biggest change for the Polaris Slingshot is the introduction, for the first time ever, of an automatic gearbox. It’s not an automatic per se, but a hydraulically actuated five-speed manual that will broaden the customer base as the 2020 Slingshot can now be driven by those unwilling to climb in a manual-gearbox vehicle.

2020 Polaris Slingshot - All You Need To Know

Besides the automated transmission - by the way, it doesn’t employ a torque converter so expect rough shifting - Polaris dropped a new engine inside the Slingshot. In fact, that’s the company's first engine, coming in the shape of a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder unit that revs up to 8,250 rpm and cranks out up to 203 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque.

The EcoTec makes 173 horsepower, so the 30-horsepower increase will make a lot of difference, especially since the 2020 Slingshot is lighter overall, tipping the scales at 1,654 pounds. The 2019 Slingshot S comes in at 1,680 pounds, 26 pounds extra.

Top speed is limited at 125 mph for the 2020 Slingshot, and we only get 0-60 mph sprint times for the meaner and more expensive $30,999 Slingshot R, which can pull it off in 4.9 seconds.

Those on a budget can get the $26,499 Slingshot SL powered by the same 2.0-liter Prostar mill (offered in a detuned state), plus, they’ll also have to compromise on some infotainment features and settle for cast aluminum wheels instead of forged ones, as well as 178 horsepower and 120 pound feet of torque instead of 203 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque.

The 2020 Slingshot SL is also a tad heavier, tipping the scales at 1,659 pounds, and it’s only available with AutoDrive, whereas the R can be specified with a manual.

2020 Solaris Slingshot R Specs