It’s not surprising to see how great the Morgan Super 3 looks on the beautiful roads of California. What car wouldn’t look good there? But there’s something about the 3’s retro-futuristic appearance that fits the place perfectly. It seems more at home there than in a Cotswold village.

Last week, Morgan announced that its three-wheeled vehicle will be available for sale again in the US. The latest model has been updated to meet US regulations by adding reflectors and moving the headlights inboard, giving it a more spidery look.

Morgan has taken advantage of the fact that trikes are subject to different regulations than four-wheelers. It’s impressive that a small car manufacturer can navigate the complex regulations of multiple markets while staying true to its long-standing values and ethos.

This is not an easy feat for a small-volume manufacturer. Lotus, for example, has faced criticism for not staying true to its values of simplicity and lightness with their new Lotus Eletre SUV, which weighs 2500kg and doesn’t drive like a traditional Lotus.

This is a problem that particularly affects makers of lightweight cars. A Rolls-Royce can weigh 2.9 tonnes and still feel like a Rolls, but a Caterham will have to work harder to maintain its distinct character.

Does the weight of the Eletre matter? If it helps Lotus sell the 150,000 cars a year they aim for by the latter half of the decade, and if it helps fund the development of competitive Norfolk-built sports cars, then perhaps the weight is not a major concern.

Nevertheless, I have a great deal of respect for a manufacturer that can embrace the future while maintaining the qualities that made their cars unique in the first place.

Protecting the working man’s SUV

While driving along the M25 this morning, I noticed a handwritten note taped inside the rear window of an early 2010s Land Rover Defender 110. It read, “Essential Working Vehicle”.

The car had no branding and was clean, but it was an old Defender 110. This means it had its drawbacks, such as being noisy, having limited shoulder room, and taking a long time to cool down or warm up.