Tuesday 14th February 2012

Electric Morgan promises sideways fun

A manual gearbox on an electric car? Morgan says yes and that it's a lot of fun

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Morgan is showing an electric version of its new Plus 8 roadster at the Geneva motor show in March, Pistonheads has learned. If that sounds a bit me-too, then here's the unique part: it'll come with a manual gearbox.

The project is being run by the electric specialists at Zytek Automotive (saints to the firm's eco sinners at the motorsport division), so we rang them up to ask the question: why?

"The key aspect was to get the fun back into electric vehicles," said technical programme manager, Neil Cheeseman. "What does a manual gearbox in an electric car actually feel like? We decided to build one to find out."

There's nothing fancy about the Plus E's gearbox, which is a five-speeder supplied by Morgan. There's a clutch and gearshifter and the idea is that you drive it just like you would a standard petrol manual.

However reactions to a gear shift won't always match those of standard car. For example when overtaking, there's little to be gained dropping a cog because the power is limited when you're running closer to the top speed of 115mph (also limited), "You are not going to get any benefit from dropping down a gear at high speeds," said Cheeseman.

"The fun will come from low speed, because at low speed you are not power limited, so you have the ability to produce lots of wheel torque to the point where the rear wheels break traction," he told us.

So, essentially, you've created a drift-machine... "You could say that, yes," he admitted. With Morgan promising "near supercar levels" of acceleration, the potential for amusement is strong on this one.

The flywheel attached to the engine is lighter weight than in would be in a regular Morgan, but it being an electric engine, it can compensate for the rapid drop in engine speed that occurs when you take weight out of the flywheel. "The engine can match its speed with that of the gearbox, so gear changes are always smooth," Cheesman said. "You can't do an idiot shift, even if you tried."

Underneath the Plus E, it uses the same aluminium frame as the new Plus 8 (the one Chris Harris is running) which is essentially an update of the Aero chassis.

Two versions will be built initially, the first as a working concept, and the second to show off lighter, higher tech battery technology that will give a range of around 100 miles.

And will they be built? A spokesman said: "If there is enough public interest, it will go into production."

 

[gforceg]

So, loads of wheel screaming action and....silence from the motor. That'll seem a bit odd to start with.

[crofty1984]

I'm glad it exists, but I can't see the point.

[Kazlet]

Sounds good, the problem is you end up with a Morgan.

[ewenm]

Kazlet said:

Sounds good, the problem is you end up with a Morgan.

Fortunately some of us like Morgans

[XitUp]

I like that.

"I wonder what an electric car with a manual gearbox would be like?" "Dunno, lets do it."

[chickensoup]

Excellent way to deal with the notoriously peaky power delivery in an electric engine

100 mile range, or once round a track sideways

[PaulMoor]

Now this makes allot more sense as an electric car. A weekend toy that'll cover a Sunday morning blast and will be owned by someone with a garage to keep it in. I'm not sure if 100 miles is enough, but it's more useful than in a day to day car. If they can get 200 then that would be much better.

[Moogle]

ewenm said:

Fortunately some of us like Morgans

[B10]

I like the lateral thinking. Hope that they have applied for a patent.

[Moogle]

chickensoup said:

Excellent way to deal with the notoriously peaky power delivery in an electric engine

100 mile range, or once round a track sideways

Peaky power delivery? Am I missing something? 100% torque available going from 0rpm? Perhaps I've misunderstood something or there is terminology confusion going on here...

[oliver9523]

XitUp said:

I like that.

"I wonder what an electric car with a manual gearbox would be like?" "Dunno, lets do it."

This sort of thing needs to be done more, I understand it costs money to do and not all companies can afford it, but properly passionate engineers will sit and tinker for hours on a new interesting toy, even if they're not getting paid! I know I do.

[kambites]

It will be interesting to see (a) how it drives and (b) how much it costs.

[Vocal Minority]

Morgan seem to have woken up from a 5 year nap, had a rummage round behind the sofa, and found a spirit of adventure all of a sudden.

I'm all for it. Nice to see a small scale car manufacturer tinkering around with ideas and going on and seeing what they can do!

[clarki]

I agree, it's great to see them "cracking on".

Love the whole Morgan scene - if only they made cars WE can afford.

[jbi]

I can't believe it's taken anyone this long to do it tbh

[cptsideways]

An interesting concept all be it a very simple one, would love to try it out. I've driven a Tesla which was simply amazing, but a cogbox would make it more fun I think.

I wonder if you can buy a retrofit electric motor that'll go in a caterseven???

[Dave Hedgehog]

ewenm said:

Kazlet said:

Sounds good, the problem is you end up with a Morgan.

Fortunately some of us like Morgans

i must be getting old as i like them very much, bored with every new car looking the same ..

[Edmundo2]

PaulMoor said:

Now this makes allot more sense as an electric car. A weekend toy that'll cover a Sunday morning blast and will be owned by someone with a garage to keep it in. I'm not sure if 100 miles is enough, but it's more useful than in a day to day car. If they can get 200 then that would be much better.

Agreed but personally I think the best tack for the future would be to have electric/hybrid vehicles as the mile munchers in order to save the planet with a law that allows you to own a gas gussling monster toy which is limited to say 4000 miles per year for use as a play thing. The reality is only true petrolheads would buy the toy whilst the rest of the nation can feel all happy that the human race is well and truly on course to save the world, ( accept those that still think a few internal combustion engines rumbling about on a sunday is too much ).
Save the planet but enjoy performance motoring as it should be!

[BuzzLightyear]

Very interesting and nice to see a small company being so innovative.

Makes you proud to be British... <wipes away patriotic tear> Gor lumme!

[b14]

Moogle said:

Peaky power delivery? Am I missing something? 100% torque available going from 0rpm? Perhaps I've misunderstood something or there is terminology confusion going on here...

Yep I'm confused as well... they are the complete opposite of peaky.