Thursday 4th November 2010

Tech Details: New Morgan Threewheeler

It's got 100bhp, will do 0-60mph in 4.5secs and has - er - three wheels

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Morgan has unveiled the technical details for its re-born Threewheeler, a recreation of the iconic sports car that Morgan produced between 1909 and 1953.

Contrary to the original reports in the Telegraph when we first heard about the new Morgan Threewheeler back in early October, the new car will not be powered by an updated version of the original car's JAP engine. Instead, motive power will come from a Harley Davidson V-twin motor, which will give around 100bhp from its 1800cc capacity. That will be coupled to a Mazda 5-speed manual gearbox which, says Morgan, will provide "'get in and drive' simplicity and reliability".

The new Threewheeler is built from a tubular steel frame, with lightweight superformed aluminium panels making up the body. Passenger and driver are protected by twin rollover hoops, while a padded leather cockpit apparently "indulges the feeling of flying through the air".

The car, which Morgan tells us emphasises simple, honest functionality, is expected to weigh around 500kg all told, which should be enough to get the car to 60mph from rest in 4.5secs, en route to a 115mph top speed.

The initial Threewheelers will be 'standard' cars, but Morgan says that it will build more bespoke models once the initial production run has been completed.

All very nice, Morgan, but why now? "The future of road transport in the 21st Century has two big issues, the conservation of precious resources and the protection of our beautiful natural environment," says Morgan. "Downsizing and a philosophy of simplicity are ways of dealing with these problems. The Morgan Threewheeler is a proven answer to these problems. In 2011 the Morgan Motor Company is to expand its range and go back to its roots."

Morgan Threewheeler tech spec:
Weight: 500kg (Est.)
Power: 100bhp (at wheel) (Est.)
Top Speed: 115mph (Est.)
0-60 : 4.5 seconds (Est.)
Engine: 1800cc 'V twin'
Gearbox: 5 speed + reverse
Super formed aluminium body
Motorcycle homologation
Choice of 8 sport colours
Gloss black wheel arches and lamps
Gloss black wire wheels
Matt black exhausts + gloss heat shield
Nickel colored cowl
Super formed aluminium body
Gloss black roll hoops
Twin flyscreens
Black or tan leather
Leather seats, dash and side pads
Exposed tubular black chassis
Leather steering wheel + alloy centre
Black anodized dash panel
Aluminium 'aircraft' toggle switches
Body Colored trim panels
'Bomb release' style start button

[tonym911]

Absolutely brilliant.

[kambites]

Lovely, but I suspect the price will be prohibitive.

[soad]

Being a threewheeler is different, yes, but might aswell get a sports bike.
It's bloody expensive too

[JohnGoodridge]

Really love that. If only all auto-manufacturers approached the EU's eco demands with such flair, verve and understanding of their own history. Aston Martin, for God's sake, please take note.

[AndrewW-G]

Fantastic, just a pity that they claim it’s something to do with the EU and emissions and not simply because the bloke they licensed the original design to in the UK, was selling a bucket load of them

[RegMolehusband]

Great, I'm all for this. But I think the 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds is a bit optimistic. A 135bhp Caterham weighing a little more than that will do it in about 6 seconds. My previous Superlight R weighing slightly less than 500kg and modified to 230BHP would do it in just under 4 seconds.

So I think 0-60 is more likely to be 6 seconds - or more!

Anyway, well done to Morgan and good luck to them. I hope they sell many.

Edited to add, looking at the width of the tyres I don't think they'll get the traction to do such a quick 0-60 time.

Edited by RegMolehusband on Thursday 4th November 10:54

[kambites]

True, 0-60 in 4.5 seconds sounds a bit optimistic for 200bhp/tonne.

[Ty Corcoran]

I WANT one... Ok, it may be a bit tight to get a driver, myself (wrapped in my long suffering flying jacket) and my guide dog into it but I don't care! Lottery, now please!!!!

[madala]

...I remember well the old Morgan three wheeler with the JAP engine.....they used to have a showroom/workshop in South Ealing, in fact it was still a Morgan dealership up unti about three or four years ago.....now it's another "Polski Sklep".....

[mrmaggit]

Erm, sorry to tell you, chaps, but Grinnall have been making the Scorpion III since 1993, a modern take on the Morgan, and you can now get one with the 160bhp BMW engine in it.

Unless you have to have a three-wheeler with a Morgan badge on it, I'd have a look at one of them.

I have one, and I wouldn't sell it to buy a Morgan.

[cragswinter]

I don't know why but when I first seen news of this I thought gotta have one of those-for some reason I thought they'd be selling them for supermini prices!
At the prices they're talking about though it's a bit much-guess I'll be waiting for Gordon Murrays i-whatever it's called for a ph approved daily runabout....

[J B L]

JohnGoodridge said:

Really love that. If only all auto-manufacturers approached the EU's eco demands with such flair, verve and understanding of their own history. Aston Martin, for God's sake, please take note.

I was just about to post something similar. So much more elegant than a rebadged Toyota.

[Agent Orange]

AndrewW-G said:

Fantastic, just a pity that they claim it’s something to do with the EU and emissions and not simply because the bloke they licensed the original design to in the UK, was selling a bucket load of them

Yep and isn't this "new" Morgan arguably a copy of a replica of the original?

Like it and no doubt it'll sell well but wouldn't be in any garage, fantasy or real, of mine.

[chippy17]

love it, want

how much is it?

[bob1179]

Agent Orange said:

AndrewW-G said:

Fantastic, just a pity that they claim it’s something to do with the EU and emissions and not simply because the bloke they licensed the original design to in the UK, was selling a bucket load of them

Yep and isn't this "new" Morgan arguably a copy of a replica of the original?

Like it and no doubt it'll sell well but wouldn't be in any garage, fantasy or real, of mine.

I take it this is Morgans equivalent of the Aston Martin Cygnet? A model to bring average emissions down across the range. Though I suppose an 1800cc Harley engine isn't going to be as 'clean' as the mill in the Cygnet.

Great car by the way, I would love to drive one!

[AndrewW-G]

Agent Orange said:

AndrewW-G said:

Fantastic, just a pity that they claim it’s something to do with the EU and emissions and not simply because the bloke they licensed the original design to in the UK, was selling a bucket load of them

Yep and isn't this "new" Morgan arguably a copy of a replica of the original?

Like it and no doubt it'll sell well but wouldn't be in any garage, fantasy or real, of mine.

If I had the money and space, I'd have one simply for tootling around town . . . . . . OK it would be a toss up between this a Fiat Gamine or a Bugatti type 16 Bebe

[A Scotsman]

Sadly I'm sure the price will be far too prohibitive. Someone really needs to build a modern Suzuki Cappuccino at Suzuki prices.

[sammi]

chippy17 said:

love it, want

how much is it?

Think the projected price is £30,000, NOT the £45,000 that the Telegraph were suggesting.

[Carfolio]

Why not a screaming Jap engine instead of a Harley lump though?

[mrmaggit]

sammi said:

chippy17 said:

love it, want

how much is it?

Think the projected price is £30,000, NOT the £45,000 that the Telegraph were suggesting.

Grinnall Scorpions are a bit over £20,000.