Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Morgan 3 Wheeler

Reborn classic rolls back years to give undiluted driving thrills

Morgan 3 Wheeler front track

Text: Paul Bond / Photos: Dave Smith

July 2011

  • Rating:
It's been 58 years since British sports car maker Morgan last offered a three-wheeler, but now, a thoroughly modern version has arrived. The firm has taken 500 orders for the £30,000 newcomer, so what can lucky buyers expect? 

On first impressions, it looks like a cross between an upturned bathtub and a WWII Spitfire. On the move, the tapered passenger cabin bobs up and down on its long-travel suspension as you skim the road.

Watch the official video of the Morgan 3 Wheeler's tail-happy handling here:
 

There are some modern concessions – the five-speed gearbox has been borrowed from Mazda, and part of the chassis is tubular steel. But the rest of the mechanicals are as traditional as you’d imagine. The fat rear wheel is belt-driven, the brakes are unassisted and there’s no ABS or traction control. 

The star of the show is the V-Twin engine built for Morgan by American company S&S. There’s an entire litre for each cylinder, and 115bhp. 

Its throaty soundtrack and strong mid-range torque give the 3 Wheeler addictive performance, with a 0-62mph sprint time of only 4.5 seconds. You’ll find yourself dropping a gear to hear the roar of the side exhausts, with each shift accompanied by a sharp metallic snick from the transmission. The combination of the hefty controls, huge noise and lack of protection from the elements makes driving at anything above 50mph a very physical experience indeed – and for that, we love it. 

The steering wheel squirms in your hand on bumpy roads, and the wide front track and large turning circle mean that despite its compact dimensions, it’s actually quite unwieldy. The 3 Wheeler is a superb reminder of what the thrill of driving is all about – if an expensive one.

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

8 Comments

Morgan 3 Wheeler?

I now know why the British car industry is dead.
Morgan is like so much of UK industry, it looks to the past and stays their.
BMW, Mercedes and Audi, look to the past and move forward.
If Morgan think people will buy this (and i'm Fifty five) their having a laugh.
RIP. British industry.

By toycollector on 5 July, 2011, 6:58pm

Laugh?

They probably are laughing as they have already sold 1st years production and now there's a long waiting list.

Although this Morgan may indeed be very retro, UK industry - and in particular motorsports and associated engineering, leads much of the world. British companies like Ricardo make gearboxes and engines for Bugatti and McLaren if I'm not mistaken. OK, we may not "manufacture" in volumes any more but that's because we're higher up the value chain in terms of innovation.

By thorntonjames on 5 July, 2011, 7:57pm

Er...................

Why would I buy a copy when I can buy an original for less? Doesn't it say something about the buying public when there are over 500 people ready to spend over 30 grand on a car like this. Morgan must be laughing up their sleeves at the mugs lined up to hand over their wonga for a lemon like this..........

By iamsuperman69 on 5 July, 2011, 9:46pm

What a....

...missed opportunity. Morgan has shown it can 'do' modern interpretations of its traditional cars, so why this? No doubt it will be snapped up by the tweed jacket brigade, but what a real shame it fails to look to the future

By NotaBene on 6 July, 2011, 1:23pm

Their having a laugh

What is the point of this car? Well it is a Morgan and it is a retro, right down to the horrible switches on a dash that looks like an afterthought.
There are kits available that look much more authentic than this for a tenth of the price.
Morgan are selling their name, but is it worth £30 grand for this car,? Morgan will be laughing all the way to the bank at any punter who jumps

By Bobbybev on 6 July, 2011, 7:48pm

I love it but....

.... i detest that stupid video!

By roblightbody on 6 July, 2011, 8:48pm

quite a nice looking 3 wheeler. It must be quite a thrill to drive it. Not bad

By corsamani on 7 July, 2011, 10:44am

the car looks great, the driver is a wanker ............

By rookie649 on 7 July, 2011, 8:59pm

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Morgan 3 Wheeler front track
Morgan 3 Wheeler rear
Morgan 3 Wheeler cabin
Morgan 3 Wheeler dials
Morgan 3 Wheeler badge

Sponsored Results

FIRST OPINION

    Morgan has revived a true original, and the 3 Wheeler offers a cocktail of back-to-basics motoring and vintage charm that’s difficult to ignore. There are precious few luxuries on board the spartan, low-slung cabin, and even diehard fans would struggle to use it outside the summer months. But it turns heads, is fantastic to drive and is faster than you might think, thanks to its stunning V-Twin engine. 

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £30,000
    Engine: 2.0-litre 2cyl V-Twin petrol 
    Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive 
    Power/torque: 115bhp/138Nm
    0-62mph: 4.5 seconds
    Top speed: 115mph
    Econ/CO2: 40.5mpg/135g/km (est)
    Equipment: 17-inch wire wheels, rear luggage compartment, twin side-exhausts, leather interior  and dash, aircraft-style dials, leather steering wheel
    On sale: Now
     
    - Advertisement -