Tag Archives: Morgan

News

Electric Morgan Super 3: sub-700kg and 150 miles of vary

Morgan has unveiled its second iteration of a battery-electric three-wheeler, this time referred to as XP-1, with its eye set firmly on constructing its EV technical and manufacturing information to arrange for the arrival of battery-powered fashions. 

The Morgan XP-1, which makes use of the physique and aluminium monocoque chassis of the Ford-powered Super 3 launched practically two years in the past, has an all-new electrical powertrain designed and constructed in-house below the supervision of the corporate’s new chief technical officer, Matt Hole, a extremely skilled former electrification marketing consultant who has labored for all kinds of world OEMs for over 15 years. 

Hole mentioned the XP-1 gained’t go into manufacturing in its present type – and refused to place a date on any showroom model – however confirmed that the prototype was being subjected to testing and inspection regimes as robust as any manufacturing mannequin.

For now, he mentioned, its key perform is to assist Morgan develop “a full vehicle toolchain” – a collection of appropriate elements and supporting software program that can be utilized for all future Morgans.

The Malvern-based firm experimented seven years in the past with a 61bhp electrical three-wheeler referred to as EV3. It was an elegant-looking, single-headlight design unveiled on the 2016 Geneva motor present.

Like XP-1, it was additionally styled in-house however again then used the structure of Morgan’s now-superseded V-twin-powered 3 Wheeler. 

For the EV3, design of the battery and powertrain was left to an outdoor consultancy whose enterprise foundered earlier than a promised batch of vehicles, priced round £30,000 a throw, could possibly be delivered.

Company bosses have mentioned the arrival of Hole in 2021 to take cost of Morgan’s technical technique will guarantee no such errors are made once more.

Morgan XP-1 side

The XP-1 powertrain consists of a surprisingly compact 134bhp electrical motor mounted within the chassis’s central tunnel, with a small planetary gearbox on its finish to gear the drive appropriately earlier than it goes right into a 90deg bevel field, as earlier than, after which (by chain, not belt) to the fats single rear wheel.

Opinion

Matt Prior: Morgan back in the states, and protecting working SUVs

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.

Motorsport

Morgan Super 3 Debuts For United States Starting At $53,938

The Morgan Motor Company is reintroducing new vehicles in the United States, marking the first time since 2019. The initial launch features the Super 3 three-wheeler, with a starting price of $53,937.98 (excluding the destination fee, which varies by dealer). Interested buyers can now purchase the Super 3 from any of the brand’s 12 showrooms in the US. The company plans to introduce the Plus Four model in the country at a later date.

In the US, the Super 3 is classified as a motorcycle. There are a few modifications from the European version, including center-mounted headlights as opposed to the wheels’ proximity. Federal regulations have also required the implementation of new taillights, turn signals, and reflectors. To personalize their vehicle, customers can utilize the configurator available on the official website.