Geneva Motor Show 2008

Morgan Lifecar

Hi-tech concept from Morgan shows the traditional British firm is ready to face the future.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Oliver Marriage

05th March 2008

Morgan has just pulled the wraps off the Lifecar – a hydrogen-powered vision of the future. The two-seater concept car uses fuel cell technology to convert hydrogen into electricity with water being the only by-product.

The four fuel cell batteries are located under the bonnet and combine to produce 30bhp, which is fed to all four wheels via electric motors developed by Oxford University.

But the Lifecar doesn’t just pioneer hydrogen – it also features a hybrid system developed by Cranfield University. Energy is reclaimed when braking, feeding electricity back into super-capacitors stored in the transmission tunnel. With a 1,000 amp max, these boost the car’s power when accelerating. They’re also highly efficient, capable of reclaiming 50 per cent of braking energy – a Toyota Prius only manages around 10 per cent.

Morgan is claiming a top speed of nearly 100mph and a 0-60mph time of under eight seconds. The all-aluminium Lifecar is projected to weigh around 600kg.

Although development is still on-going, the hi-tech test bed is unlikely to ever make production. However, elements of the technology are being considered for other models in the range.