Morgan Super 3: Three-wheeler sports car breaks cover with aluminum bodywork

The classic design has been reborn for a new generation – this time swapping wooden bodywork for an aluminum construction, and a crude motorcycle engine for a three-cylinder from Ford.

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Retro British sports car maker Morgan has revealed an all-new three-wheeler – and, for the first time in history, it’s built with a single-piece aluminum body.

Known as the Super 3, the new vehicle swaps out its existing 2.0-litre V2 motorcycle engine for a more efficient 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder from Ford – effectively the unit in the Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch, without a turbocharger.

This sends a modest 87kW/150Nm to the rear wheel via a Mazda MX-5-derived five-speed manual transmission – only slightly more power (and less torque) than a mid-spec Volkswagen Polo.

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However, the featherlight 635kg aluminum “monocoque” construction – a one-piece assembly which replaces a steel frame underpinning wooden bodywork – delivers a 0-100km/h dash in a claimed 7.0 seconds, on the way to a claimed top speed of 209km/ H.

Inside the waterproofed cabin, creature comforts including navigation, heated seats, a windscreen and door padding – with USB outlets fitted for the first time.

A set of 20-inch alloy wheels – wrapped in narrow Avon tires developed specifically for the Morgan, with a tread pattern visually inspired by classic rubber (but with the performance of a modern tire) – come standard, as does a two-hoop roll bar and small storage compartment behind the passenger seat.

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In the UK, pricing starts from £41,995 before on-road costs, and the first customer deliveries are scheduled for June 2022.

Morgan has confirmed the Super 3 will be offered in Australia – however launch timing is yet to be announced. Drive has contacted the Australian importer for Morgan for more details – this story will be updated when more information becomes available.

The current Morgan 3 Wheeler was inspired by the classic Morgan ‘tri-cars’ of the early 20th century (seen in the gallery above), which were originally designed to bypass British automobile taxes by being classified as a motorcycle.

William Davis has written for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs in the automotive industry. He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. Despite writing for a diverse range of outlets – including the Australian Financial Review, Robb Report, and Property Observer – since completing his media degree at Macquarie University, William has always had a passion for cars.

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