A few years ago, Vanderhall Motor Works launched its brand with the carbon fiber three-wheeler, the Laguna. Now the Utah-based company returns with the aluminum-framed Venice. With a base price of $29,950 and a dry weight of 1,375, this vehicle offers a zippy, open-air ride without the need to sell plasma. But don't expect it to feel like driving a convertible; this is a different kind of ride.
Here are a few ways the Venice may surprise you:
1. Old school is cool.
The Vanderhall Venice has a distinctly retro vibe. Between the wooden steering wheel, the toggle switches on the dash and the lack of digital displays, people could easily wonder if this is your badass grandpa's ride. It's actually a refreshingly simple proposition: In a world where everyone is hurrying to out-tech each other, this throwback three-wheeler is not a silly toy; it just wants you to enjoy the drive.
2. Weird engine noises are awesome.
Under the hood of the Vanderhall Venice is the GM 1.4L Turbocharged I-4 Ecotec LUV — the same engine as the Chevy Cruze. Of course, you’ve probably never heard anyone say, “Listen to that Chevy Cruze!” But in the Venice, between the open top and its minimal shell, the engine sounds are front and center. Don’t expect the sexy interplay of a sports car or the guttural roar of a muscle car; this three-wheeler’s got its own bizarre symphony of turbo whiz and buzzing intake that is wonderfully odd. Once you discover that its 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque can get you from 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds thanks to the wild power to weight ratio, it'll be music to your ears.
3. Sequential gears can be satisfying.
There’s nothing more annoying than being a manual enthusiast and having someone tell you that the Tiptronic/Geartronic/Sportronic or whatever manumatic is “just as good” as driving a stick. That’s not really possible or even the point. There are, however, automatics that can be truly enjoyable, while others just make you wonder, why bother? The Venice has a clutchless sequential manual mode that is a blast, and its stick's wacky left-side placement just enhances the experience.
4. Conversations are underrated.
Given its simple, old-school vibe, the Venice doesn’t lend itself well to blasting your BFF’s playlist (though you can through its Bluetooth sound system). You’re much more likely to just enjoy the aforementioned engine sounds or to even try speaking words to your co-pilot. Sometimes they may say words back. It’s called “talking,” and it can be great. Try it sometime... you may even end up liking it.
5. Fans feel good.
If you drive a three-wheel open air vehicle that very few have ever seen before, people tend to wave at you... a lot. From bikers to old ladies walking their dogs, to guys driving big trucks and guys driving exotics, people are fascinated. The thing is, there's nowhere to hide in this thing. There's no possibility of blending in, no way to ignore the attention — the Venice leaves you fully exposed. This is really only a problem if you want to pick your nose or be unfriendly. The fact is, the Vanderhall Venice is a vehicle that just makes people smile, and if that doesn’t make you feel warm and fuzzy, you should probably drive a hearse.