A wedge-shaped vehicle barrier, including a top assembly pivotably coupled to a bottom assembly; a mechanism coupled to the top assembly and coupled to the bottom assembly, where the mechanism moves the top assembly between a first position that is substantially horizontal and a second position at a first angle; and one or more flexible slings coupled to a distal portion of the top assembly and a distal portion of the bottom assembly, where the one or more slings prevent the top assembly from rotating beyond a second angle when the top assembly is engaged by a vehicle, the second angle being greater than or equal to the first angle.