Morgan presents the Super 3, a three-wheeled vehicle taking over from the 3 Wheeler. Behind an always retro look hides an entirely new design, from the chassis to the engine. A three-cylinder Ford engine of 120 hp drives this tricycle starting at around €54,000 in France.
Morgan and three-wheeled vehicles, it’s a long story. The small British manufacturer produced such vehicles from its beginnings in 1910 (even 1909 before the brand existed), until 1952. In 2011, a new 3 Wheeler was born, with a raw look of stripping reminiscent of the 1920s and a motorcycle S&S V2 developing 115 hp installed between the front wheels. Over the course of its adaptations aimed at following the regulations, this block lost power until it only offered 83 hp then 69 hp when the model was stopped in 2021. The English tricycle returns today under the name Super 3, with a clearly modernized conception and design.
Completely new engine and chassis
To design the Super 3, engineers and designers at Morgan started from scratch. This is the brand’s first vehicle with a monocoque, bonded aluminum frame. The three-wheeler is significantly larger than its predecessor with 3.58 m long (+ 35 cm), 1.84 m wide (+ 12 cm) and 1.13 m high (+ 13 cm) for 2 .53 m wheelbase (+ 19 cm), and the least cm³ gained has been put to good use.
The engine of the newcomer is now installed in a central-front position and sheltered under a hood. This is a car mechanics, in this case a three-cylinder 1.5 L naturally aspirated petrol from Ford. This develops 120 hp at 6,500 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm., sent to the rear wheel via a five-speed manual gearbox from Mazda MX-5, carried over from the previous 3 Wheeler, and a belt reinforced with carbon fiber. Morgan estimates the 0 to 100 km/h time of 7 seconds, almost as good as a current small GTI but no better than the previous generation. It must be said that the Super 3 weighs 110 kg more than its predecessor with 635 kg announced dry. The top speed, however, increases significantly to reach 209 km / h, against 185 km / h previously.
The vehicle features a tie-rod front suspension, a type of damping that is currently making a comeback in F1 and helps reduce unsprung masses. Morgan teamed up with Avon to design the tires for the Super 3, remaining faithful to the slim Speedmaster format from the motorcycle world, unlike other three-wheeler manufacturers such as Vanderhall, which have a much more modern style. The rear rubber is of the “4 seasons” type, its central position exposing it to the dirtiest part of the road since it is not “cleaned” by the wheels of the cars.
The 1950s as aesthetic inspiration
Contrasting with the previous model, the style of the Morgan Super 3 is inspired by the American aeronautical “Jet Age” of the 1950s. Its lines are therefore soft, refined, and the whole is more bodied than before. The front part contrasts with the protruding edges of its air intakes.
These vents continue to the radiators sheltered behind rectangular side metal plates. The latter accommodate on their external surface fasteners for various accessories, a solution that is reminiscent of the outer rails of the Ineos Grenadier. The front rims are almost full and the rear wheel encased in a flowing body that tightens at the stern, in the purest 3 Wheeler tradition. The exhaust exits through an opening in the Super 3’s right side.
The Super 3 ready for adventure
The interior of the Super 3, resistant to dust and splashes according to the IP64 standard, remains minimalist. The two counters still positioned in the center of the dashboard are now digital. The buttons and switches, mostly made of metal, are reminiscent of the world of aviation. Morgan offers the choice between fabric, leather and vinyl for the upholstery, and has developed a wide range of options and accessories to be fixed using the hooks mentioned above.
Suitcases or side attachment nets, interior cup holder or even rear boot rack feature in the catalog and can optimize the Super 3 for uses as diverse as a leisure weekend or a long-distance expedition, in response to feedback from users of the previous model. Customization extends to colors and decals offered by Morgan. The first deliveries of the Morgan Super 3 are scheduled for later this year, including at home. According to French importer Marcassus Sport, the base price should start around €54,000. The Morgan Super 3 can already be configured online from one of three moods: Contemporary, Classic or Touring. The price of the options will be communicated later.
