Morgan unveils ‘Super 3’ three-wheeler
As a successor to their 3 Wheeler model that was discontinued last year, Morgan have introduced the all-new ‘Super 3’ that continues the brand’s 113-year legacy of three-wheeled vehicles, but reinterprets the form.
“Following on from the incredible success of the outgoing Morgan 3 Wheeler has been no easy task,” said Steve Morris, Chairman and CEO, Morgan Motor Company. “When we first decided to reintroduce it back in 2011, the company couldn't have imagined just how popular and successful the V-twin model would be. The Morgan 3 Wheeler represented something different, something unique and something to be celebrated.
“As we launch Super 3, I am confident that our latest three-wheeled offering is as relevant as ever.”
The Super 3’s key differences over the 3 Wheeler include monocoque construction, a liquid-cooled three-cylinder engine and a new design that’s said to be inspired by the jet age.
Morgan says the Super 3 was designed from the ground up to offer “new levels of character, thrills and adventure” while retaining the distinctive, raw driving experience that is a part of the model.
While the three-wheeled layout has history with Morgan stretching back more than a century, the ‘Super’ name is almost as old, dating back to the 1920s when the ‘Super Sports’ three-wheeler was released. More recently, a ‘SuperSports’ variant of the Aero model was offered, too.
In this newest iteration, Morgan says that ‘Super’ defines a new product family for the company, joining the ‘Plus’ range and establishing a new design language for future Morgan models.
Platform and Drivetrain
Underpinning the Super 3 is a “Superformed” aluminium monocoque that’s an evolution of the CX Generation bonded aluminium platform first used on the Plus Six of 2019 and also applied to the Plus Four from 2020.
Superform technology involves heating aluminium to a malleable state before vacuum forming, which allows more intricate shapes to be created while reducing material stress compared to traditional pressing methods.
As applied to the Super 3, the Superform technology has resulted in the first true monocoque in Morgan’s history and not only provides a stronger and lighter platform – dry weight is just 650kg - but delivers more occupant space and allows a new engine to be fitted.
Safety is improved with the Superformed monocoque, too, with the Super 3 said to offer the same frontal impact protection as Morgan’s Plus Four and Plus Six four-wheelers.
Turning to the engine, ever tighter emissions regulations meant the distinctive, front-mounted, air-cooled motorcycle v-twin seen on the 3 Wheeler could not be carried over to the Super 3, which forced Morgan to look for an alternative powertrain early in the vehicle’s development process.
Morgan faced a similar challenge almost 90 years ago when they created the F-Type three-wheeler, which was the first to feature a conventional car engine, which in that instance was sourced from Ford.
The engine in the new Super 3 is also sourced from Ford: a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder used in the Fiesta ST and producing 88kW and 150Nm. Even though it’s mounted within the body, the compact nature of this Euro 5a/5b-compliant engine means it doesn’t impinge on occupant space, according to Morgan.
Being a liquid-cooled engine meant that a radiator had to be incorporated, but rather than mount it at the front, the cooling system is split into two, with radiators on each side of the body.
The gearbox is the same five-speed Mazda manual used in the 3 Wheeler, but the new engine in the Super 3 eliminated the need for a compensator, while the bevel box was re-engineered to reduce noise.
Clutch operation is said to be well-weighted in the new engine/gearbox combination, with a short travel to reflect the short throw operation of the gearbox, while pedal spacing allows heel-and-toe shifting.
Handling and Dynamics
With all the Super 3’s major componentry and mass housed within the platform’s triangle shape, stability is said to be unequalled.
Pull-rod and wishbone suspension contributes to this while also allowing uninterrupted airflow to the side radiators.
The Super 3’s rear wheel is a conventional car type, but the front wheels are an all-new 20-inch alloy design, to which Avon developed a new tyre that’s exclusive to the Super 3 and is described as combining the look of a motorcycle tyre with the performance of a car tyre. The rear tyre is also supplied by Avon.
While the driving experience of the Super 3 remains direct and raw, it’s also refined, thanks to improvements in areas like the reduced bevel box noise, for example.
Design
The Super 3 is Morgan’s first clean-sheet design since the Aero 8 from 2000 and the company describe it as the biggest departure from their established aesthetic since the short-lived Plus 4 Plus model from 1962.
While aerodynamic and mechanical requirements, like incorporating the new inboard engine and assisting airflow to the radiators, heavily influenced the styling of the Super 3, there was still some design freedom within those parameters.
Rather than recreate the 3 Wheeler which has a ‘30s/’40s feel, Morgan designers looked elsewhere in history and they settled on the “Jet Age” of the 1950s for inspiration.
The “open” nature of the front end with the engine visible is described as being reflective of jet engine intakes. It’s perhaps one of the Super 3’s more controversial styling features, appearing unfinished to some eyes. But, as with most other design elements on this car, it’s functional, with the shape of the aluminium structure serving several purposes, including providing engine and suspension mount points, while also directing air into the radiators.
The radiators are capped with what Morgan call ‘sideblades’. These large, flat sections are said to be inspired by the diffuser plates on jet aircraft. While they primarily serve a functional purpose, they also act as a canvas for graphics and livery finishes, as well as mounting points for bespoke Morgan luggage and accessories.
The Jet Age styling continues with the wheels, which are a solid alloy instead of the retro wire-spoke type and have a look that’s reminiscent of W124-era Mercedes-Benz and even the HDT Aero wheel.
The mudguards that hug the bespoke wheels and tyres feature an inside face that’s closed off to reduce wind noise and maximise airflow to the radiators.
At the rear, the Super 3 monocoque has an almost boat-like look, with a tapered tail below the beltline, which allows for a cut-off exhaust exit to be fitted.
As with the front end, the monocoque’s rearmost elements are functional, in this case binding the body together and serving as a mount point for the tail light, number plate and boot hinge, while also hiding the pressure vent for the rear wheel.
Other interesting design details include front indicators that are mounted on stalks above the headlights, which was again influenced by practical considerations.
Inside the Super 3, there are some modernisations and the entire interior is IP64 rated against water and dust ingress. Being a true roadster, there’s no convertible top option for the Super 3, which makes the splash-resistant cockpit even more practical.
As a roadster, in-cabin security is non-existent, too, but Morgan have added a small, lockable storage box for valuables under the seat.
The digital gauges on the Super 3 are a Morgan first, but tactile switchgear remains, including the ‘missile release’ engine start-stop button and toggles for the headlights, hazard lights and other functions.
On those gauges, information is spread across two pods, displaying speed and rpm as the primary information, along with fuel level, odometer and the usual warning lights.
Universal fixings under the dash allow for cupholders or smartphone cradles to be added.
Seats are fixed, but the pedal box is adjustable and the steering wheel offers reach and rake adjustment. Seat trim options include vinyl, two types of leather and a ‘technical fabric’ that should find favour here in Australia as it’s UV resistant as well as water resistant.
Less relevant to the local market is a footwell heater, which is optional. Other options from a 200+ list are led by the ‘Beeline’ navigation system: a simple, motorcycle-style sat nav that pairs with the driver’s smartphone and an app to offer turn-by-turn directions.
Other options include luggage racks, compatible soft and hard luggage, Quad Lock mounts, graphics packs, auxiliary lights and accessory rails.
Some of these options are available in sets to suit themes that include adventure touring, contemporary design and classic motorsport.
Orders Open, Australia TBC
Orders for the new Super 3 opened in February, with UK and European markets prioritised in the production queue, followed by the USA then other global markets.
UK pricing will start at £41,995 + ORCs (AU$60,500 approx., direct conversion), which is in line with what the discontinued 3 Wheeler sold for.
While Morgan says the Super 3 will be available in Australia, it won’t be as simple as them offering it, as the car will need to clear several ADR hurdles.
Chris van Wyk of Morgan Cars Australia confirmed that modifying the Super 3 to reach road-legal status in Australia will take time and investment, citing the 3 Wheeler that took four years to achieve ADR compliance.
The main issue is that, unlike in many other markets where it’s classed as a motorcycle, the Super 3 would be classified as a car here, so has to pass additional and more stringent criteria.
That being said, van Wyk expects ADR compliance to be achieved sooner for the Super 3 than it did for the 3 Wheeler, but a timeframe for Australian release, along with pricing, is still some way off.
