Replacing the Morgan 3-Wheeler was never going to be easy; it was a model defined by a 2.0-litre V-twin, which is no longer viable for new cars. As much as the unique layout of three wheels, it was that S&S engine that dominated the experience. The old 3-Wheeler was as much a body hung off an engine as a fully formed car, or as close to that as anything on three wheels could be. Despite the familiar layout, this latest three-wheeled Morgan takes on the concept completely differently.
Significantly, it's named the Super 3, so called to really emphasise the ground-up rethink this car represents over the old one. Call it 3-Wheeler again and people might not grasp how drastic the overhaul is. 'Super' is familiar from the Morgan back catalogue, too, so was deemed a nice fit. Moreover, the 3-Wheeler wildly surpassed sales expectations, so the new version could hardly be more crucial for its maker's ambitions.
In the flesh, the Super 3 is a stunning little car to look at. This is its first clean-sheet design since the Aero 8 of 2000; where the 3-Wheeler aimed to evoke the originals of the 1920s, this Super 3 takes inspiration from later in the 20th century, the jet age in particular. With a face no longer dominated by an engine, focus is instead drawn to the structural aluminium casting that supports the Ford three-cylinder engine. The Morgan horseshoe front grille helps give the Super 3 a face, with headlights on structural stalks (they're another brace between wishbone pick up points) reflecting the 'form and function' nature of this Super 3 project.
Similarly, machined aluminium turrets on top of the headlights house the indicators - they look great, and have a job to do. "Every feature - no matter how superficial it may appear - has an underlying mechanical purpose: the vehicle celebrates the marriage of design and engineering", says Morgan. Interestingly, too, the front of the engine is kept behind the centre line of the wheels, a tactic employed by the pre-war Bugattis as well, keeping the weight - visual and literal - in that triangle of wheels. Neat.
There are clever styling details abound for this Super 3, with the new sideblades not only housing radiators (moved to allow a better turning circle) but also offer a tidy storage solution. Morgan found that owners of the previous 3-Wheeler took it further afield than ever expected, some treating it almost like a touring motorbike. As such, and with the experience (and plaudits) gleamed from the CX-T project, Morgan is really pushing the adventure aspect for this Super 3. So those sidebaldes can be equipped with Malle luggage, opening up far more possibilities for exploring than before. They're complemented by a new rack on the tail, another casting there really doing a lot of legwork: it clamps the monocoque structure together, houses lights, hinges the boot and provides a base for the numberplate. And means more stuff can be stowed there for those planning cross continental trips in a Super 3. They did it in the old car, and will no doubt do it again, so why not make it simpler this time around?
The new monocoque chassis - Morgan's first - will help with those touring credentials. While still clearly a small and light (c. 635kg) car, a monocoque makes for a more rigid three-wheeled Morgan (ergo a safer and more dynamically sorted one) as well as one with more space inside for occupants. Superformed aluminium allows the complicated Super 3 shapes to be made with less material stress than pressing, and Morgan says it's the first time the process has been used in a structural vehicle platform. And you thought the cupholder was big news.
Nestled between the headlights is a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder Ford engine, the familiar Ecoboost but without the boost bit. That's a deliberate move from Morgan, citing more than adequate performance from the 120hp that results (expect 0-62mph in around seven seconds) and a desire to keep the character that a naturally aspirated three-cylinder offers. One of very few carryover parts from before is the Mazda MX-5 five-speed manual gearbox, but if ever there's something to keep, that's going to be it. Just as relevant as all that, Morgan reckons the new Euro 5a-compliant engine will return around 40mpg and emit 130g/km; once upon a time the 3-Wheeler was way over 200g/km and struggled to get a combined 30mpg, so these are significant improvements given the extra power as well. Once more with a nod to the Super 3's touring credentials, a new bevel box that helps get power to the rear wheels has been tuned to reduce unwanted noise - a "straight-cut, race-car feel" is promised, but "without an overbearing mechanical noise."
For the chassis, Morgan has used pull-rod suspension (again keeping mass well within the wheels), worked with Avon to create a bespoke tyre for the 20-inch wheel (it's called Speedmaster and everything) and tested this car more than any other Morgan in history. If owners are going to take it as far away as India, it needs to be durable.
If you can divert your attention from the outside for just a second - there is plenty to take in - then the new Super 3 interior is absolutely worth discussing, too. As well as more space, customers will get more innovation, with digital dials, Beeline Navigation (motorcycle touring tech once more, with a compass by the wheel linked to your Google Maps destination), a heated seat that warms both the back and bottom of the chair, mounts developed with Quadlock for phones and GoPros, and IP64 ingress protection. That means the interior is "completely dust tight and protected against water splashing from any direction".
That really is just the start, too. Morgan's first rbrt patent is a universal fixing, which can be used for the sideblade panniers, the cup holder and even door-mounted storage inside as well. If the adventures 3-Wheeler owners embarked on came as a surprise, Morgan is sending them off fully equipped this time around. That even extends to a more easily adjustable pedal box; what once took 20 minutes of fiddling is now a quick release system, making it easier to share the driving on long journeys. As does a reach and rake adjustable wheel. And an ignition barrel in the middle of the steering column, meaning it isn't in the way of knees. The Super 3's is a very different driving environment to before, but fear not 3-Wheeler die-hards - the 'missile release' starter button remains, and it feels fantastic.
Then we get to perhaps the best bit of this new Morgan - the customisation possibilities. More than the new chassis, new engine and new look, the vastly expanded options list is possibly the most exciting change. Keenly aware that the aftermarket grew to cater to the demands of 3-Wheelers (and that those owners loved graphics packs and personalisation from the factory) there's now enormous scope for individualisation on a Super 3. So much so, in fact, that a new configurator will be launched to ensure customers can fully appreciate what's on offer. For the moment three themes have been detailed, broadly described as touring, contemporary design, and classic motorsport. Touring and classic motorsport can be seen here, with colours and luggage and individual options creating very distinct cars for the broad range of customers the three-wheeled model created.
It doesn't stop there, either, with more than 200 options and accessories. Buyers can choose whether they want a dished or flat Moto-Lita wheel (both bespoke to this car), contrast panels, all manner of upholstery choices, the colour of the roll hoops, fuel cap, wheels and so on. It was rare to see two 3-Wheelers the same - now it seems that every Super 3 will be unique with the possibilities on offer. Morgan says a vital part of this car's development was to create all the accessories alongside the base car, as "this not only ensures that those options work in total harmony with the vehicle but also removes the need to retrofit additional options once the vehicle has been built". Clearly Morgan doesn't want to give up anything to the aftermarket this time. But whatever your desire for the Super 3 aesthetic, Morgan is going to accommodate.
Told you it was a lot more than a fresh look! And while there's only so much to be gained from poking around a car at Bicester Heritage, it's hard not to marvel at the comprehensiveness of the project; it seems that every area that required attention has been addressed. While also redesigning an icon into something that, to these eyes at least, looks even better than before.
Morgan's CEO and Chairman, Steve Morris, added: "We have developed this vehicle at a time when the industry, and the wider world, has been challenged beyond comprehension. Yet our engineering and design teams, along with our project partners, have been able to deliver a fitting new chapter to Morgan's three-wheeled story... The all-new Super 3 introduces new levels of engineering integrity to Morgan, a new sense of adventure to the brand and a new design language that indicates our future direction."
Want one? Course you do. Morgan was faced with deposits before this car was even shown. The new Super 3 costs £41,995, it's going into production soon and first deliveries will begin in June, with a couple of hundred set to be built this year. It's hard to imagine anything more joyous emerging in 2022 on four wheels - or on three for that matter.
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