Boucherville, Quebec -- The Campagna V13R is a curious-looking beetle. Actually, it looks like a spider with those twin sets of eyes. Others will compare it to a bulldog, although the analogy has already been claimed by Nissan for the 2009 cube!

"While the T-Rex is some sort of Ferrari, a pure performance machine, the V13R is more of a hot rod," claims André Morissette, President of Campagna Motors.

The Campagna V13R is a curious-looking beetle. Actually, it looks like a spider with those twin sets of eyes.

Whatever you call it, with a Harley-Davidson engine under the hood, it’s definitely the family’s bad-boy toy!

During an Open Doors event we attended at the company’s headquarters on July 10, we got to learn more about this trike, which will become the second model in the lineup upon its market release later this year.

From Cirbin to Campagna
Originally, the V13R was given the name "Cirbin V-Rod" (using the French pronunciation "sir-bain"). That was before André Morissette and his partner David Neault purchased the remaining assets of T-Rex Vehicles, manufacturer of the T-Rex up until 2007 which went bankrupt in early 2008. Since, the three-wheel V-Rod has been renamed Campagna V13R: "V" as in V-Twin, "13" as in 1,300 cc, and "R" as in roadster.

One could also liken the machine to a cruiser-type motorcycle. After all, it wasn’t designed with record-breaking speed in mind. The twin-cylinder generates 125 horsepower -- nearly 75 less than the Kawasaki-sourced engine of the T-Rex. On top of that, the V13R is 3-kilogram heavier than the T-Rex. Yet, potential buyers won’t really care, according to Mr. Morissette: "Those interested in the V13R mainly like touring," he says. "They don’t have the soul of a racer and they won’t spend time on the track, unlike a number of T-Rex owners."

That’s why Campagna engineers have paid more attention to comfort during the development process. The cockpit is approximately 3-inch wider than the T-Rex’s, while the dashboard design allows greater legroom.

The cockpit is approximately 3-inch wider than the T-Rex’s.