Fans of all things traditional doffed their tweed caps in celebration yesterday when Morgan rolled out a new version of their three-wheeled car. This time, it’s called the Super 3 – and it’s powered by a Ford-sourced three-banger.
That’s right. Gone is the lumpy v-twin sticking from its snout like a porcine tribute to internal combustion, replaced with a 1.5L inline-three making 118 bhp and lashed to a five-speed Mazda gearbox. For those daring enough, the 0-60 mph acceleration run is pegged at about 7 seconds, which the company says “exceeds the power and performance figures of previous three-wheeled Morgan models”. Indeed, old chap. Built upon the company’s new three-part aluminum platform, Super 3 is the first Morgan with a monocoque structure.
In comparison with the outgoing 3 Wheeler, which was created in the style of those v-twin rigs churned out in the 1920s, designers of the Super 3 are said to have drawn influences from the mid-to-late century with an eye toward aerodynamic (yes, on a three-wheeler) and mechanical requirements. You’ll have noticed those two large rectangular plates on the side of the Super 3, for example, which are more than just flights of whimsy since they manage the engine’s cooling requirements. Morgan calls them ‘sideblades’ and they can be painted in matching or contrasting paint shades to the buyer’s choice. There is also any number of accessories Morgan will be happy to sell you, including exterior-mounted soft luggage because why wouldn’t you want your undies stored outside in the British rain?
The exact positioning of that Blue Oval engine – now car-derived and mounted in-board – within Super 3 is a detail of some importance. Chosen in part due to its compact nature, the I3’s block sits precisely behind the front axle line, providing a starting point for good weight distribution. The placement of its cooling gibbons also permits more steering angle, meaning one should now be able to turn around on Ye Olde Forecourt without executing a million-point turn.
Super 3’s interior blends some modern tech with its traditional atmosphere, not unlike subtly installing an LG refrigerator in the kitchen of a British castle. Those gauges have digital screens, for example, and the available USB ports – along with other electrical items – are rated IP67 water-resistant. This is a good thing since the Super 3 has no roof. Clocking in at roughly a foot shorter than a modern Mazda MX-5, the lads at Morgan peg the car’s dry weight at 1,397lbs. That same stick shift MX-5 weighs 2,346 pounds if you’re wondering.
Speaking of pounds, the Super 3 is priced at £41,995 (just over $56,000 USD) plus on-the-road costs in the U.K., which is its biggest market. Customers in the U.K. and Europe will receive their vehicles first, with U.S.A deliveries following later in 2022. Production is slated to begin later this year.
[Images: Morgan]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Will the chip shortage effect the delivery schedule? s/
To anyone who’s thinking of buying one, make sure you budget enough to keep the cooling monkeys fed.
“Neat!” click
We need more cars like this! Pure driving pleasure. Life is too short to drive an SUV!
That’s a sweet Motolita steering wheel, by the way. (I put one just like it in my Miata…)
Big deal. The whole point of the v-twin was that it was traditional. This just looks…eh.
I’d rather buy a Miata or a motorcycle.
If you have to wear a helmet anyways might as well get a Can-Am. It will certainly outperform this hunk of ugly and leave plenty left over for a Miata.
If you have to wear a helmet anyways might as well get a Can-Am. It will certainly outperform this hunk of ugly and leave plenty left over for a Miata.
I am surprised they didn’t choose Ford’s fuel cell.
Looking forward to a TTAC road test. Followed by an Ace of Base.
Finally an adequate application to Ford’s I3.
I’ve never seen a Morgan (of any sort) out on the road, only at a couple of Concours-type events. One of the few currently-available makes I’ve never seen out in the wild. And, it’s not like you’d confuse it with anything else!
Why the picture of Ron Howard driving the Morgan? I played football with a Morgan owner. Have to say that it was a ‘blast’ in good weather, with open roads. Not sure that I would enjoy the ride and lowering myself into one now. And you certainly did not want to get stuck behind an older diesel powered vehicle while in a Morgan. Peter Sellars drives a Morgan in The Party.
I’m sure the stupid V twin caused nerve damage but it was cool. The Ford I3 is just boring. And it’s a Ford. Needs a few more character features. Dashboard looks out of place, should have retro analog gauges. Missed opportunity.
Would have loved to have seen this with Triumph’s 1200cc motorcycle engine. Something to absolutely rev the nuts off, but sky high redline and more powerful (though obviously less torque).
I’m not gonna lie…a friend of mine just got a Slingshot and let me drive it. I have scoffed at the 3 wheel bit but holy cow, that thing was a blast and we weren’t even at go to jail speeds.
Not your father’s Reliant Robin
The front end looks unfinished, headlamps could be bigger, instrument pods look out of place, windshields look like they belong on a dime-store toy.
Is this a version of the 3 that powers the Euro Fiesta ST? 200HP would be crazy in this. Perhaps fatal, but crazy
Thanks Arthur, for your thoughtful comment.