It wasn’t long ago that RideApart first told you about Vanderhall Motor Works, a Utah-based company that makes three-wheeled vehicles. But actually, the company has been in business for several years and the newly launched Venice Roadster is the second generation of the vehicle. The fast and compact three-wheeled machine can outperform many sports cars and can stop in shorter distances than many sports cars. Is it a car, or is it a motorbike? It all depends on who you ask.

Legally, because it has four fewer wheels, it’s considered a motorcycle in the state of California (where we tested it). The classification of motorcycles is essentially the reason why it exists. Small manufacturers cannot afford to pass all the regulations, including installing airbags, crash-testing prototypes, and meeting the strict federal safety standards that automakers Large bowls must be made with four-wheeled vehicles. Two- and three-wheeled vehicles do not have to bear these costly requirements.

Odds are the Venice won’t be classified as a motorbike for long. Polaris, the maker of the hugely popular Slingshot, has been pushing hard to get US states to adopt a new three-wheeled classification for such vehicles. But at the same time, being a motorbike by law has another big advantage: being able to ride on the “diamond” lanes of many highways in busy urban areas.

State laws regarding licensing and helmet requirements vary widely. In some jurisdictions you may be required to have a motorbike certificate, in others you may not. Same with helmets.

We recently had the opportunity to drive this convertible sports car, which has side-by-side seating for two, in and around Malibu, California. Luckily, it was a beautiful sunny day with perfect weather. Designed and hand-built by Vanderhall Motor Works in Provo, Utah, the Venice Roadster was what its manufacturers called an “automobile.” The front wheels are powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter GM engine with variable valve timing and fuel injection. Vanderhall’s patented one-piece aluminum chassis is encased in a composite shell.

Its turbocharged engine idles well in traffic but really comes alive when the pedal is pressed. It rushes to the red line with an exciting burst of speed. The sound of the exhaust is completely muted, but the hissing noise from the exhaust port can still be heard while driving. We also wanted to hear a little more exhaust note. According to the manufacturer, the horsepower-to-weight ratio is 6.875 pounds/horsepower. This puts the Venice’s (claimed) 1,375-pound power-to-weight ratio well within muscle car territory. It’s said to be able to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 5 seconds, and even though we weren’t instrumented, we have full confidence in that.

Power is transmitted through a six-speed automated manual transmission. The main shift lever is located between the bucket seats. By pulling it all the way back, the sequential shifter on the left side will engage. This allows the driver to control the up and down step by step to bring a sportier feel.

Stopping duties are handled deftly with standard ABS, brake assist, and auto disc brakes at each wheel. We found the brakes decelerated very quickly, and in hard braking situations there was very little understeer or drama, just a short, manageable stop. Vanderhall reports that the Venice can stop from 60 to 0 mph in less than 100 feet. Optional Brembo brakes are said to be available as an option to deliver even more powerful braking performance.

The Venice has only 4.5 inches of ground clearance, giving it a low center of gravity. The frame has coilover shock absorbers and has a single-sided swingarm at the rear. Standard tires are Continentals, with larger Toyo optional. The ride quality is sporty and solid but not uncomfortable. Chassis tuning, including spring rates and damping, seems well sorted, as does the machine as a whole. Wide, grippy tires, combined with a 70/30 weight distribution and low mass, allow the Venice to generate consistently high lateral cornering forces; just a recipe for winding, narrow canyons.

Instrumentation is basic but has everything you need. No center mirror, missed. The windshield blocks most of the wind, but a strong wind blowing overhead will mess up your hair. Amenities on the car include power steering, heated seats and a 600-watt sound system with Bluetooth connectivity. The sound system is powerful and plays music via Bluetooth from your mobile device, but unfortunately there’s no radio function.

We were impressed with the overall attention to detail on the Venice, along with the feeling of security it gives riders on the road. There was no squeak or rattle at all. The compact car has a narrow cockpit, which can feel cozy for larger people, but ample legroom for this 6-foot, 1-inch driver. Three-point straps help secure you in place, and the roll bar loop provides important protection in the event of a rollover. The cockpit layout is comfortable, with good control positions and an adjustable steering column. Storage space is also limited, with a small compartment behind the seat said to hold 2.7 cubic feet. With no doors, climbing in and out requires a bit of gymnastics, but might let you skip yoga class.

“The process of bringing Vanderhall vehicles to market has been exciting and rewarding,” said company founder Steve Hall. “We worked on 11 different iterations, building over 40 proof-of-concept prototypes.”

This led to Vanderhall’s first model, the Laguna. After its release, Hall realized the need for another model, inspiring the design of the Venice. After launching the Laguna just over a year ago, Vanderhall is looking to expand sales at a more attractive price point than the Venice. With its British racer looks, as well as a lower base MSRP of $29,950, Vanderhall hopes to sell this new roadster into a larger market.

To simplify things, the Venice is offered in one trim level and three colors – charcoal, black and pearl white. Dealer-installed options will be released in the coming months and pre-orders are already being taken. The bottom line is, the Venice isn’t for everyone, but for those who prefer a compact, nimble machine with strong acceleration, reasonable fuel economy, taut handling and a powerful brakes then this could be the one.

Photo: Vanderhall