Friday 25th February 2011

New Morgan Three-Wheeler Revealed

With Video: Iconic V-Twin trike gets ready for Geneva debut

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"Lift the safety catch from the 'bomb release' starter, hear the massive twin cylinders detonate and choose your favourite destination."

Well, that's how the press release describes the starting procedure for the new Morgan Three-wheeler, and it's got us hooked. Along with these pics of the new machine, hot off the newswires today.

Describes as a "fusion of old and new", the new Morgan car/trike gets a V Twin fuel injected engine mated to a Mazda 5-speed gearbox providing, the company says, "get in and drive convenience, with the thrill of extreme performance".

The iconic little machine is "built around a reinforced tubular chassis with twin roll bars for driver and passenger," they say. "A sturdy V belt provides traction to the reinforced rear tyre, while from the design viewpoint, the focus was set on making the car as close to an aeroplane as possible."

It's all about making driving fun again, apparently, and the leather padded cockpit complete with aircraft-style instrumentation adds to the sense of flying on the road.

During its first year of production, Morgan says the Three-wheeler will be available with a V twin from specialist engine builder S & S making 115 horsepower. It will set you back £25,000 (plus local taxes - so circa 30k on the road in the UK), and bespoke leather and paint are available at extra cost, as are a polished engine, stainless steel tailpipes, cowl, polished cowl, headlamps and roll hoops.

The options list includes striking vinyl graphic designs including US military and British Air Force inspired logos, oval racing numbers and stripes, a "fearsome" shark nose, chequered winner's bonnet, official national flags and the Morgan wings, which doubtless will all appeal to lots of PHers, if not all of the Morgan traditionalists. (We sense tweed caps being dusted off and moustaches prickling angrily across the Malvern hills!)

The new Morgan will be unveiled at the Geneva show next week, where we expect it will draw quite a crowd.

[matbat]

Adds to wishlist!

I really quite like that.

[petemurphy]

awesome although leg room looks a little tight

[ZOLLAR]

That looks brilliant!.

[daveparry]

I wish they had made it in line seating though just like an aircraft!! but fantastic.

[Podie]

Bonkers. Would love to have a go.

[louiebaby]

I'll never fit in that.

Bugger.

[Daggerpie]

I bet Hammond buys one!

[Juicetin1]

Love it.
0-60 in 4.5secs according to website !

[Ocho]

Can't see myself ever wanting to own one of these - utterly bonkers.

That said, bloody brilliant at the same time, and I bet it's an absolute hoot to drive, sorry fly!!!

Good on them!

[Ocho]

Juicetin1 said:

Love it.
0-60 in 4.5secs according to website !

Oh alright then, I do want one!

[Luke.]

Immense.

[ravon]

Looks great fun, but I hope it doesn't damage the wonderful Tim Divey's Triking Company, http://www.trikingsportscars.co.uk/ who have been carrying the "spirit of the Morgan 3 wheeler torch" for many decades.

Edited by ravon on Thursday 24th February 17:41

[team will]

I reckon his is going to be a huge cult car with so much room for customising.

Also will be a lot of fun on damp roundabouts!

[goron59]

I want two, one like this and another painted up like a Fokker Triplane, then can zoom around the countryside making ra-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta noises!

[Stuart]

I've been watching the originals of these do battle with big Bentleys in pre-war sports car races for years. Absolutely barking, both the cars and the people who strap themselves to them to get stuck into the Le Mans lorries Bentleys. Like here, where 1200cc of Gary Caroline's Mog takes on 24,000cc of Napier Bentley special...




The want is strong. Very strong.

[BigBadDavid]

Expect many broken collar bones... The thing is, can it ever sound even a tiny bit as good as the original with its jap twin??

[Mr Gear]

DO WANT

[tomv1to]

That looks amazing. I'd love to have a go. For a while now I've thought that a catarham would be the ultimate fun driving car for the weekend but this looks ten times better.

[briSk]

i too am a bit of a regular at vscc events nowadays. love them. okay so they do well cos of bike tyres not crappy crossplies of the 4 wheeled cars.. but hey that's why vscc are good organisers.

i'd love to know what the golden oldies think of this new car. is it sacriligeous (being based on a US model)? is it a gimmick? is it as we mostly think, a great laugh and incredibly cool?

i have been lokking forward to it for months now and is a definite lottery win list car!

[Garlick]

Lovely. Would love one to bomb around London in