Morgan’s new three-wheeler is this glorious Ford-engined Super 3

It may not seem it at first glance, but the all-new Super 3 is a fantastically modern Morgan. Yes, the tri-wheeled configuration harks back to Morgan’s beginnings in the 1900s, but this is the first clean-sheet Morgan design since the Aero 8 in 2000, the first Morgan to be built with a monocoque structure (using the company’s new aluminium platform) and a radical diversion in three-wheeler strategy with an inboard engine that has more than two cylinders.

We’ll get onto that engine in a bit. First though, just look at it. It’s recognisably Morgan and still pleasingly retro, but the Malvern-based firm says that this time around it took influences from the jet age. Super streamlined, isn’t it? Plus, from head-on those side-mounted cooling packs (Morgan brilliantly refers to them as sideblades) look like they’ve come straight off a modern-day F-35 Lightning. They house radiators up front and then stretch back past the front wheels to be decked out with panniers, luggage racks or graphics.

There’s no longer a V-twin engine on full display up front, so the face is comprised of those lovely round headlamps, a signature horseshoe front grill and pull-rod suspension that’s mounted to a cast aluminium structure known as the Hartland Strut – named after the Morgan engineer that designed it. How very wholesome.

The front wheels are aero-spec, Morgan-designed units shod in bespoke Avon Speedmaster tyres with ballooned sidewalls. The suspension wishbones are as long as possible to improve stability, and like with the previous generation 3 Wheeler, the insides of the front wheels are closed off for better aero and refinement. 

Towards the rear, the cut-off exhaust is also mostly tucked inside the aluminium body work and the beltline runs right around the cockpit. There’s another cast aluminium structure right at the back too – this one doesn’t have a name (poor thing) but clamps the two sides of the monocoque together, houses the rear lights, provides a base for the number plate mount and hides the ‘pressure relief venting’ for the rear wheel. Incidentally, that single rear wheel gets an Avon all-season tyre that Morgan assures will “provide optimum slip angle”.

Anyway, you want to know more about the engine, don’t you? It’s a Ford-sourced 1.5-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder that’s making 118bhp and 110lb ft of torque. Morgan reckons on 0-62mph in around 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 130mph. Get a fly in the face at that speed and we’re sure you’ll agree that’s a quick enough top end. Morgan did actually use Ford engines in its three-wheeled vehicles back in the 1930s and 40s, so there is some heritage there. Plus, ditching the 82bhp S&S two-cylinder motorbike engine of the old 3 Wheeler means Morgan can claim 40mpg for this new tripod, despite a 110kg weight increase. For those worrying – it still only weighs 635kg, although surprisingly 2016’s proposed EV3 only weighed half a tonne.

Anyway, we’re delighted that the three-cylinder is in there and it’s connected to the same short-throw, five-speed Mazda MX-5 gearbox as used in the outgoing car. Morgan says that the clutch will be well weighted with a short travel and that “particular attention has been paid to the pedal spacing, allowing easy heal-and-toe gearchanges”. Lovely.

The interior is fancy for Morgan, with fully digital dials (a first for the company, you won’t be surprised to hear), USB sockets and even an optional sat nav system developed by motorbike nav specialists Beeline.

Everything is water and dust-proof, with the option of vinyl, water-resistant leather, saddle leather or a new technical fabric for the seats. There’s a new footwell heater and an adjustable steering wheel and pedal box, plus a universal fixing under the dash (the same as on the sideblades) that can house a cupholder or a Quad Lock phone mount. Luxury. There’s also a boot out back, lockable storage under the seats, an optional rain cover for your legs and many, many hard and soft pannier options. See, it’s practical too.

Oh, and if you’re planning on doing big miles, you can have a large wind deflector (notice Morgan doesn’t call it a windscreen) to reduce some of the turbulence. If you go for the smaller deflectors you can spec them in clear or yellow tint.

Morgan reckons the Super 3 will be all about customisation, with over 200 options and accessories available from launch as well as a whole heap of liveries and graphics. The cars you see above apparently show off three potential themes – adventure touring, contemporary design and classic motorsport.

And finally there’s the all-important question of price. Morgan says the Super 3 will start at £41,995 on-the-road. Sounds expensive, but then the run-out special P101 of the previous generation was just shy of £55,000 in the UK.

So come on then folks, let us know all your Super 3 thoughts in the comments section below…