DESIGN

When did you last regard a journey by motor car as an adventure? The Morgan 3 Wheeler is launched to bring the fun and passion back to personal transport. Lift the safety catch from the “bomb release” starter, hear the massive twin cylinders detonate and choose your favourite destination.

The iconic design of the Morgan Threewheeler has been updated with 21st Century technology. The powertrain is a V Twin fuel injected engine mated to a Mazda 5 speed (and reverse) gearbox. This provides smooth “get in and drive” convenience with the thrill of extreme performance. The car is a fusion of old and new.

Safety is paramount with a reinforced tubular chassis and twin rollbars for driver and passenger. A sturdy V belt provides traction to the reinforced rear tyre. Some things have not changed. The Morgan Threewheeler still holds long distance speed records for one litre cars set in the 1930’s so why change the shape? The pronounced bullet shape and the exposed chassis and aluminium tub are accompanied by the aeroplane profile of the car’s sides. The shape is of a gentle yet powerful missile at the front leading to a beetle back tail at the rear. From the design viewpoint, the focus was set on making the car as close to an aeroplane as possible, while retaining handy extra space for driver, passenger and a holdall in the rear. But above all the Morgan 3 Wheeler is designed for one purpose alone, to make driving fun. A leather padded cockpit complete with aircraft instrumentation adds to the sense of flying on the road. The car is easy to control with compact dimensions offering a perfect view ahead and to the rear. The car seems to respond as much to thought as physical input.

Dynamism is further enhanced by what the Morgan design team calls a sporty “race on Sunday” design philosophy. The car’s lines do not end abruptly but instead flow organically and echo the smooth shapes of a racetrack. The smooth profile makes the car look sleeker and lower. The sculpted bonnet and boot enhance the aerodynamic feel and the short overhangs front and rear emphasize the sports car sense of purpose.

CHASSIS AND DRIVING DYNAMICS

Morgan chassis experts have worked on the driving experience of the new Morgan 3 Wheeler with the same passion given to the development of any new Morgan. The result is a driver’s car with properties that do the sporting appearance full justice. The weight of the engine is counterbalanced by the mass of the passengers and the car has a planted feel with a very low centre of gravity to ensure it remains glued to the road. During the development process, the chassis team worked on the new 3 Wheeler in parallel with the forthcoming Morgan EvaGT. The result is a solution that features changes and refinements to virtually every single detail that affects a car’s cornering capabilities.

ENGINES

During its first year of production, the new Morgan 3 Wheeler will be available with a V twin from specialist engine builder S & S. The car is approved by US and European road transport authorities for safety and emissions. With an economical 115 horsepower the motor provides maximum power at minimum revs. Big torque spells effortless hillclimbing ability. The current focus of the Morgan Motor Company to cut CO2 emissions and low fuel consumption is very much part of the rationale behind the launch of this car. The time is right for Morgan to take a new look at the combination of acceleration, on road performance and economy. The time is right for Morgan to relaunch the 3 Wheeler.

Price £25,000 before tax

Bespoke extras

Bespoke leather and paint are available at extra cost as on the classic Morgan. A Polished engine, stainless steel tailpipes, cowl, polished cowl,headlamps and roll hoops are also extra cost options for a more classic look.

Exciting graphic packs to compliment the Sport “race on Sunday” philosophy

High quality decals are available to give the owner the opportunity to boost the sporty attitude of the new Morgan 3 Wheeler. These include special designs including US military and British Air Force inspired logos, oval racing numbers and stripes, a fearsome shark nose, chequered winner’s bonnet, official national flags and the Morgan wings.

We will post more information on the 2011 Morgan 3 Wheeler as soon as we receive it; however, in the interim you can find more information on the Morgan Three Wheeler web site and photos and videos on Talk Morgan.

The colours join: Sport Grey, Sport Blue, Sport Red, Sport Ivory, Sport Black and Sport Green to round off the 8 colours that the Morgan Sport models are offered in. Tan leather is the only interior trim offered on both models but the Roadster receives premium quality Natural Huntley Distressed leather over and above the standard leather provided on the 4/4.

New Morgan V6 Roadster Sport

Morgan Motor Company have launched the second model in the Morgan Sport Series line up with the Morgan V6 Roadster Sport.

The company have recognised that not all owners want to personalise their car at the production stage and therefore are offering a well specified car direct from factory. MMC have this to say: -

“Choosing the Morgan that’s right for you can be a daunting task, so we’ve make it easy. The Sport Series comes with a simple yet comprehensive and well thought out standard specification.

Few car manufacturers have actually increased production recently, however such has been the demand for the Morgan 4/4 Sport, that the Malvern based factory has had to add 50% to the annual production of this model.”

In order to capitalise on this appeal, the company unveiled its latest model, the V6 Roadster Sport, at the 2010 Geneva Motorshow. This carries the spirit of the entry level Morgan 4/4 Sport into the powerful 220Bhp V6 3.0 litre, with a few more luxuries on top.

Updates have included the latest Euro V 220 Bhp V6 3.0 engine, which gains 10% more power over the previous Roadster model with no trade off on CO2 emissions at 225 g/km. Changes to the front track give more sure footed handling, and minor revisions to the rear lighting and interior packaging complete the model year changes.

Both Sport models come with a choice of 8 exterior colours all designed to match the tan leather upholstery. On the Roadster, natural distressed tan leather, a black stoneguard and bonnet strap can be factory ordered if desired.

An extensive range of photographs of the Morgan Roadster Sport can be found at Talk Morgan, the web based enthusiasts forum for all cars produced by MMC.

Geneva 2008

This post contains photographs from the Morgan Motor Company stand at the Geneva Auto Show 2008. Vehicles on show at the 78th International Auto Salon were: the Morgan Aeromax (which is part of a limited production run of only 100 cars), the hydrogen fueled Morgan LIFECar, the new for 2008 Morgan 4/4 Sport 1.6, the Morgan Aero 8 4.8 automatic, V6 Roadster and Plus 4 Seater from the Classic range.

Discussion and photos on the MMC stand at Geneva can be found at Talk Morgan.