For those who find the Morgan Three-Wheeler too
British and old school, Utah-based Vanderhall offers a more modern American
equivalent in the form of the Carmel autocycle.
Available in dealerships now as a 2020 model, the hand-built
three-wheeled vehicle shares its patented aluminum monocoque chassis with the
Vanderhall Venice, but adds doors and other amenities. Mind you, it remains a
lightweight, tipping the scales at 723 kg. The 2020 Carmel offers
three different trim levels: base Blackjack, standard trim, and fully loaded
GT.
Priced from US$ 34,950, the 2020 Vanderhall Carmel
Blackjack is a builder’s level model, meaning it doesn’t offer much in terms of
standard equipment. It comes with matte black body and exhaust, base 18-inch
alloys, matte black interior traction plate and dead pedals. Cruise control,
Bluetooth, and heated seats are also standard.
In comparison, the standard 2020 Carmel priced at US$ 39,950 is well-appointed. It offers machined 19-inch wheels, a choice of two
body colors (Vintage Silver Metallic and Poseidon Blue), an upholstery made of
durable tan V-Tex synthetic material, and a taller windshield. The
paddle-shifter and cap shade are available as dealer-installed options.
For US$ 43,950, customers can have the fully-optioned
Carmel GT packing standard paddle-shifters, a cap sunshade, shorter and
sportier windshield, tan leather upholstery and door panel trim,
stainless-steel traction plates and dead pedals. Additional equipment includes
boost and transmission-gear gauges, gloss black 19-inch 10-spoke wheels, a
polished 3-inch exhaust system, and the choice of two exterior colors, named
Ruby Metallic and Pearl White.
Regardless of the trim level, all 2020 Vanderhall
Carmel models pack a GM-sourced aluminum-block 1.5-liter turbocharged
four-cylinder gasoline engine. With 194 horsepower at 5,700 rpm sent to the
front wheels via a GM 6T40 sequential 6-speed automatic transmission, the
Carmel sprints from 0 to 96 km/h in 4.5 seconds and reaches a top
speed of 222 km/h.
