2015 Travertson Striker 2.0 Preview

A few months ago we reported a press release from Travertson regarding confirmation of a forthcoming three-wheeler. We now have updated information from Travertson about its new Stryker 2.0, including some specifications and artist renderings of the vehicle expected to debut next Spring. (Oops, strike that. After informing Travertson about the Stryker from Yamaha’s Star brand, the Florida-based company has decided to name its three-wheeler the Striker 2.0.)

The images illustrate this isn’t a motorcycle-based trike or a sit-on-top Can-Am Spyder, but instead it’s a close competitor for Polaris’s new Slingshot, which we recently tested here: 2015 Polaris Slingshot Review – First Ride/Drive + Video. Like the Slingshot, the Striker is essentially a three-wheel car with side-by-side seating. (I vote we call them tricycars. -KD.) In terms of sexiness, we’ll give the nod to the flowing lines of the Striker. Travertson has a reputation for building outlandish vehicles, including the wildly over-the-top Travertson V-REX we reviewed in 2008.

With the Striker’s launch approximately eight months away, and a shootout between it and the Slingshot even further, we thought it would be fun to present a side-by-side spec comparison to whet your appetite, which you can see below.

Of particular note is the Striker’s small size relative to the Slingshot. It’s almost 7 inches narrower, nearly 20 inches shorter in length, and, at just 41 inches tall, is lower by almost a foot. The Striker’s smaller package translates into a tidier machine, purportedly weighing in at just 1480 pounds to the Slingshot’s 1725.

In terms of powerplants, it’s a Ford vs. Chevy battle. The Striker uses a 2000cc direct-injected four-cylinder engine from Ford’s catalog, while the Slingshot’s 2384cc mill is sourced from General Motors. The GM engine is blessed with a 384cc displacement advantage, helping it a throw out 13 extra horsepower and 20 additional ft-lb of torque.

The results of a head-to-head acceleration contest should be very competitive, with the Striker’s lighter weight offsetting the Slingshot’s extra power. If Travertson’s specs are to be believed, the Striker will be pulling 9.25 pounds per each max horsepower, while the Polaris is charged with 9.97 pounds for each peak pony. Torque per pound is nearly identical, with the Striker’s 10.14:1 figure marginally better than the Slingshot’s 10.39.

The Striker’s transmission might be a key deciding point between the two tricycars, both in terms of acceleration times and driver preference. The Stryker boasts a paddle-shifting dual-clutch gearbox, while the Slingshot’s stick requires row-your-own shifting. Both use some form of stability and traction controls.

The Striker will also be endowed with adjustable suspension, power steering, seat belts, a radio, smart connection, a large cargo space and xenon lights. These niceties and the limited-production nature of the Striker add up to an expected $35,000 MSRP, a significant uptick from the Slingshot’s $19,999 base MSRP or even the higher-end Slingshot SL’s $23,999 price.

Bummer that we’ll have to wait about eight months before the Striker is available to prove its mettle. In the meantime, Travertson is busy creating another motorcycle that will be called The Beast. Stay tuned!