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.

[tonym911]

The Grinnall is a fine machine but it resembles the Morgan in only one aspect, ie the number of wheels. The comparison is false. Anyone in the market for a Harley motorcycle probably wouldn't be weighing it up against a BMW, and vice versa. Apples and oranges really. Plus there's a huge difference in heritage. The specification and historically-inspired interior detailing of the Morgan is spot on IMO.

Edited by tonym911 on Thursday 4th November 11:34

[tonym911]

Morgan will easily sell every one they build, and then build a waiting list. This isn't a mass market product, it's a trinket that will appeal to lots of people on lots of levels. I'd have one in a flash if I had the money and somewhere to keep it. As for stability, no worries there. It's the ones with one wheel at the front you've got to worry about. Tested a TriKing about 30 years ago and it was a hoot. Friend has a scabby old 2CV-powered Lomax. That's a hoot. This Morgan beats all the rest on its construction materials. It's the sort of thing you would happily spend hours every weekend polishing and primping. Well, I would anyway.

[tonym911]

collateral said:

The Campagna T-Rex is the craziest afaik. Very expensive though

That is a beast right enough, I think it's about $50k in the States, again it's more your Grinnall type of thing, more about performance and 'differentness', the Morgan will be plenty quick enough and has that heritage thing going on as well. That puts it in a class of one in this specific market.

[tonym911]

Modern H-D motors have no inherent problems that I'm aware of, and no shortage of character, but if I'd been Charles Morgan I might have looked at some of the Japanese big twins. I used to run a Yamaha XV1600, that was a superb engine. With an appropriate exhaust system you've got just as much character as the Harley and arguably more performance to boot. Alternatively an unbranded 'Harley clone' crate engine would have helped to create a more integrated 'this is a Morgan' feel. It just seems that with the H-D/Morgan mix there's a bit of a brand battle going on there. Small quibble really.

[tonym911]

fuoriserie said:

Mr Gear said:

mph said:

mrmaggit said:

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.

Conversely there are many who wouldn't consider a Grinnal but would buy a Morgan (me included) so everyone is happy

Also I think the Harley engine is a good choice, much more in keeping with the character of the old JAP engine than a modern Japanese unit would be.

I would have thought that a Moto Guzzi 1200 would be good. It's already orientated properly, and it blends a bit of modern tech with old-school character. Importantly, it also looks nice.

.

I agree with you that a modern Moto Guzzi engine would make perfect sense...just check the very nice looking Triking

http://www.trikingsportscars.co.uk/

As mentioned above, the Triking is a nice drive, but you'd always know it's made of GRP. The Morgan is metal.

[tonym911]

LuS1fer said:

tonym911 said:

As mentioned above, the Triking is a nice drive, but you'd always know it's made of GRP. The Morgan is metal.

Stamp on a tin then a plastic container and think which would be better....

Polish a piece of aluminium and then a plastic bottle and think which would be better.

Here's another couple o' pics:

[tonym911]

[tonym911]

Shame our minging number plates will ruin it.

[tonym911]

Volkswagen actually is planning to build a limited number of the Mk 2 version of this, it's been restyled (but is still a 3-wheeler), uses half a 1.6 TDI engine and does 185mpg/99mph. It was meant to come out this year but it's been put on hold for a couple more years.

Edited by tonym911 on Thursday 4th November 15:21

[tonym911]

Can't remember where I picked this info up but it's in the public domain. And yes it is a 4-wheeler, sorry, my excuse is the back wheels are close together.

[tonym911]

Here's the latest Volkswagen L1



and here's a link

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/volkswagen-world/futur...

[tonym911]

Wonder where Morgan is sourcing the tyres? They're not bike tyres.

[tonym911]

Ferg said:

georgetuk said:

Robin Reliant.

Is this a site for people who know about cars?

I presumed this Reliant chap was some dodgy aftermarket tuner specialising in three-wheelers