Hate to bust bubbles, but.. to be profitable, the Slingshot would have to sell like snowcones on a hot August day in El Paso, Texas before multiple injectio molding tools would replace current molds. The Slingshot sales reported do not justify or allow the additional production costs.
As far as front wheel drive goes...
I agree that would negatively impact driving dynamics. The rear end is lighter, allowing drivers to break loose, have a little fun, it would also change the stability to have the heaviest portion of the vehicle pulling the lightest portion... G forces are also substantially more when pushed from behind rather than pulled from the front.
I think an automatic option would do exactly what the Slingshot needs... an enlarged pool of consumers.
BUT!
Will they advertise it??!!
We still pull into places and people say, "What is it? Who makes it?"
Its been out 4 years now, and still... its not even CLOSE to sufficiently advertised.