Does an enthusiast only love motorcycles? Does an enthusiast only love cars? Does an enthusiast love everything in between? Our focus at the moment is on the last one. We won’t commit the sin of pride by calling ourselves enthusiasts but regardless of that, we love all of the above. While cars and motorcycles are fun vehicles, we also love things that break the mould. The vehicle in question here today blurs the lines between cars and motorcycles. It is not simply because it has three wheels. That’d be too simple. The Rewaco PUR3 GT has a lot more that makes it perhaps the best possible hybrid between a car and a motorcycle. 

First of all, what is it? In simple terms, it is a trike. Rewaco is based out of Germany and they have been around making these very unorthodox vehicles for 30 years now. Rewaco means racecar and that is, in some manner, the essence of Rewaco vehicles. It is aimed at providing people with a racecar-like experience in the easiest and the most affordable possible manner. Despite… or maybe because of the motorcycle-like experience, Rewaco makes the racecar experience more approachable than anything else… except simulators probably. We had our taste of this experience in Germany and here’s how it went.

As always, we are starting with the looks and this department is simply OWNED by the Rewaco PUR3 GT. It is just a very unique vehicle and because of that, it gets a lot of attention on the road. At nearly every stop, there are curious people who have a lot of questions about Rewaco. In Europe, Rewacos have become quite popular. Coming back to the point, Rewacos are lookers. The PUR3 GT that we rode… or drove… let’s just say piloted. So the PUR3 GT that we piloted is a sportier model. But the best thing about it is the customizability. Even if you visit the Rewaco website, the configurator is very comprehensive. You can add a lot of stuff, and choose custom colours for different parts. From headlight fairings to spoilers, there’s a ton of stuff you can do to make a Rewaco truly your own. The possibilities are immense. 

Then comes the experience. It is a little strange at first. You hold on to the handlebar like a motorcycle but you actually sit in the Rewaco. The seat is very low and you sit very close to the ground. In that regard, we’d say that the seating in a Rewaco is lower than even a few supercars. Now, with the handlebar, you have a front wheel that you control but on the rear, you have two wheels wrapped in massive 295mm tyres! This again is something you have to get used to especially if you ride a lot of motorcycles. You have to rewire your brain to keep the rear in mind so that you do not accidentally hit something. 

Once you are settled in, you realize that the view from the seat is quite amazing. Because you are sat low and have a handlebar to control the vehicle, the position feels very commanding. On the move, the experience in the cockpit is exhilarating. You are sitting like you are in a car and yet, you have the wind in your face which accentuates the experience of piloting a Rewaco. The engine is also quite exposed so you hear it sing away and since the PUR3 GT we got had a turbo, the whoosh was quite prominent as well. It makes for a very engaging experience. Even more so when you pick up the pace and trust us, the Rewaco PUR3 GT is good for a serious pace… even on the Autobahn. And the best bit is that it feels even faster than it is going!

Talking about the engine, the one we got was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre inline-4 engine from Mitsubishi. With 140 bhp of power, it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 6 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 165 km/h. In the real world as well, the Rewaco PUR3 GT felt quite quick. Despite the windblast subduing nearly all the sound around, you can still hear the smooth track of the Mitsubishi inline-4 singing away with frequently pleasant interruptions from the turbo. 

The Rewaco PUR3 GT feels unique in the corners as well. You have handlebars but you do not counter-steer like a motorcycle. You have to steer in the direction you have to go in. It takes some getting used to but once you do, it becomes easier and easier to push harder and harder. The confidence you have in the corners is amazing and the g-forces you feel make you want to push it further still. 

Overall, piloting one of these quirky trikes is a wonderful experience. Many car guys might have some gripes with it and many motorcycle guys may have some issues with it too. If we are being honest though, we have none. It can be pushed hard in the corners with a lot of fervour, it has enough power to make the time spent with it exciting, and it never fails to grab the attention of onlookers. The bottom line is that Rewacos are meant to be fun. If you want a Rewaco, you know exactly what you want and that is exactly what you are going to get. You want a Rewaco to have fun and it is more than capable of providing that. 

This is not our first time trying our hands on a Rewaco. We have experienced different models and variants in the past as well. With every experience, it becomes even clearer that we are not trying it for the last time either. And the fact that it is sold in South Korea, America, and Australia as well makes the decision even easier!