Tuesday 19th December 2017

Morgan and Frazer-Nash collaborate on EV3

New battery partner announced for greater performance as full production nears

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In case you hadn't already guessed, the EV3 is a pretty significant car for Morgan. Not only will it be the firm's first EV, it will also be the first to use composite body panels, for example. And, well, it's the only Morgan thus far to be designed "Aero-engine race cars, classic motorcycles and 1950s fantasy automatons" in mind.

Today's announcement will have no bearing on the looks of the EV3, however. Which is fortunate. Instead Morgan has confirmed a partnership with Frazer-Nash Energy Systems to complete overhaul the car's powertrain; the new architecture is promised to bring faster charging, a lower centre of gravity, more torque and swifter acceleration.

It will now use a 21kWh battery and 34.8kW (41.8kW peak) electric motor for the single rear wheel, with a 120-mile range. Indeed Morgan is suggesting that the new arrangement will bring the EV3's performance in line with the petrol-powered 3-Wheeler - for reference that's 0-60mph in six seconds and 115mph flat out. A charge time isn't yet available.

Frazer-Nash's Noamaan Siddiqi said: "we appreciate the heritage and craft that Morgan brings to the world of EV technology and we in turn will bring decades of EV expertise to ensure that EV3 customers will receive a car that is reliable, proven and exhilarating to drive." Morgan says the car will enter production in Q3 of next year, and we can't wait to see it!

[Evilex]

Nice in a retro/curio sort of a way, yet it's disappointing that many manufacturers are missing out on exploring some of the packaging options that EVs offer.
I'm sure it's an advanced drivetrain, but they've stuck it in a design that references something thats 60 or 70 years old.
Did I miss the price? I bet it's bonkers.

[MDMA .]

Evilex said:

Nice in a retro/curio sort of a way, yet it's disappointing that many manufacturers are missing out on exploring some of the packaging options that EVs offer.
I'm sure it's an advanced drivetrain, but they've stuck it in a design that references something thats 60 or 70 years old.
Did I miss the price? I bet it's bonkers.

Link shows £52,500

[jhonn]

Evilex said:

I'm sure it's an advanced drivetrain, but they've stuck it in a design that references something thats 60 or 70 years old.

Yeah, I don't get that either - if I wanted something so obviously retro as a Morgan 3-wheeler I'd want the full retro experience with a suitable ICE installed.

At £52.5k maybe they're not planning selling very many, it must be a very niche market.

[Spunagain]

The £52k is for the Selfridges special edition. The “normal” ones are supposed to be those same price range as the ice version so £30k plus...

[unsprung]

Nice as an exercise in engineering.

But... Come on! The Morgan 3 Wheeler is about the transformation of NVH into an art form. The last thing I'd want is to make this vehicle smoother or more quiet.

[meehaja]

I think its quite exciting! Electric cars all look like "modern cars" designed by children in the 80's. (a few notable exceptions to this). If I were in the market to spend £30-50k on what is frankly a toy, I'd like to be able to choose an electric one. and though this is hardly a serious car for daily use, or a serious track car, it is designs like this that will normalise electric vehicles and make them accessible outside the current circle of rich/eccentric/hippy owners.

[jkh112]

It is Frazer-Nash, not Fraser Nash.

[saaby93]

Wasnt this 'launched' a couple of years ago

[VanquishRider]

https://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/ev3update/

Enough Said. Yet PH still can't spell. Pretty poor to get it wrong in the title...

[Maash]

Personally I think it looks absolutely fantastic. Not everyting needs to look like boring space shuttles. This one looks like Victorian space shuttle .

[PhantomPH]

I assume they will have to cover the front wheels on the final release as well? Shame as I like the exposed look, but pedestrian safety, etc...