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Morgan’s magnificently madcap motoring marvels
By Ghaith Madadha, Jordan news
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A varied collection of long-established and new
manufacturers characterized by a shared passion, Britain’s micro-car industry
covers a breadth of niches and talents, from traditional artisanship to
cutting-edge technology. Renowned for its old-world style, three-wheeled sports
cars, and the continued but limited incorporation of wooden body frames into
the 21st century, the Morgan Motor Company is probably the quirkiest of these many
small-scale car makers.اضافة اعلان
Founded in 1910, Morgan is among the most traditional of such manufacturers but has nevertheless evolved in engineering, build, components, and precision. Stepping slightly out of its comfort zone, Morgan launched the more modern, highly stylized, cross-eyed, and almost retro-futuristic Aero 8 in 2000 and, by 2011, introduced its first three-wheel sports car since 1952.
However, more recently, Morgan has stepped up the eccentricity with the limited production Plus 4 CX-T off-road sports car and a new, incrementally more modern tri-wheeled Super 3 roadster.
Morgan Super 3
The latest in a long 113-year tradition of three-wheel sports cars, the Morgan Super 3’s “jet age” design is influenced by functional and aerodynamic sensibilities. The first three-wheeled Morgan to be built on an aluminum monocoque frame; the Super 3 is a more evolutionary design follow-up to its 3-Wheeler predecessor. With a light, fresh, and uncomplicated aesthetic, it also contrasts Morgan’s almost gothic retro-futuristic 2018 EV3 electric three-wheel concept.
Morgan Super 3
Ditching the 3-Wheeler’s externally-mounted, air-cooled 2-liter S&S-sourced V-twin motorcycle engine, the Super 3 adopts a modern, internally-mounted, water-cooled 1.5-liter 3-cylinder Ford engine, much like Morgan’s historic V-Twin three-wheelers were superseded by the Ford-powered F-Series during the 1930s. The most powerful and quickest Morgan three-wheeler yet, the Super 3 produces 118BHP at 6,500rpm and 150Nm at 4,500rpm to propel its featherweight 635kg through 0-100km/h in 7-seconds and onto 209km/h.
Morgan Super 3
Perhaps less aggressive in acoustics than the outgoing S&S engine, the naturally-aspirated version of Ford’s “Dragon” car engine is nevertheless tuned to accentuate its charismatic three-cylinder soundtrack and is more refined and better complies with emissions standards. More mechanically compatible with the Super 3’s unique layout than other motorcycle engines, the Ford engine is mounted behind the front wheels and drives the rear wheels through a Mazda MX-5-sourced manual gearbox and carbon-fiber-reinforced belt.
Morgan Super 3
Promising undiluted old-school thrills and a uniquely connected driving experience, the Super 3 rides on semi-exposed racecar-like pull-rod suspension, with major weights concentrated within the wheelbase. Expected to be somewhat tail-happy, the Super 3’s rear tire was specially designed by Avon for car use but with motorcycle-like ballooned sidewalls. Uncomplicated, sparse, and focused inside, the Super 3 is meanwhile the most practical and customizable Morgan three-wheeler yet, and is offered with optional rear and side luggage racks.
Morgan Plus Four CX-T
Launched last year with the only eight examples sold out, the gloriously oddball Morgan Plus 4 CX-T may look like it rolled out of a “Wacky Races” cartoon but is instead a showcase for Morgan’s potential and a reflection on the past. Developed with Rally Raid UK race engineering firm, the CX-T is based on the new Plus 4 sports car’s stiff bonded aluminum CX-generation frame and is intended as a rally-like overland off-road vehicle.
Morgan Plus Four CX-T
Inspired by Historic Morgan adventure and durability trial vehicles, and inevitably compared with the current buggy-like Ariel Nomad off-road sports car, the CX-T has a decidedly retro design, albeit one that oozes rugged purposefulness. Sitting high with SUV-like 230mm ground clearance and chunky off-road tires, the CX-T features an exposed external roll cage for safety and rigidity. It additionally incorporates extensive underbody protection and a re-designed exhaust system with a rear-side port for an improved departure angle.
Morgan Plus Four CX-T
Sitting with a wider stance than the regular Plus 4, the CX-T uses a modified version of the larger Plus 6 model’s wishbones with EXE-TC coil-overs and bump stops for deeper compression and the best compromise of traction and stability, compliance, and durability. Powered by the Plus 4’s BMW-sourced 2-liter twin-scroll turbo four-cylinder engine, the CX-T develops 258HP at 5,500rpm and 350Nm at 1,000-5,000rpm, and drives the rear wheels through 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic gearbox options.
Morgan Plus Four CX-T
Weighing just over the 1,013kg Plus 4, owing to its sturdier upgraded components, two externally-mounted spare tires and additional tool and storage containers, the CX-T is expected to match or fall slightly behind its sports car sister’s 5.2-second 0-100km/h acceleration and 240km/h top speed. Low revving and with a very wide torque band, the CX-T’s engine drives the rear wheels through a BMW-sourced lockable limited slip differential to improve off-road traction and agility.
Read more Drive
Jordan News
Founded in 1910, Morgan is among the most traditional of such manufacturers but has nevertheless evolved in engineering, build, components, and precision. Stepping slightly out of its comfort zone, Morgan launched the more modern, highly stylized, cross-eyed, and almost retro-futuristic Aero 8 in 2000 and, by 2011, introduced its first three-wheel sports car since 1952.
However, more recently, Morgan has stepped up the eccentricity with the limited production Plus 4 CX-T off-road sports car and a new, incrementally more modern tri-wheeled Super 3 roadster.
Morgan Super 3
The latest in a long 113-year tradition of three-wheel sports cars, the Morgan Super 3’s “jet age” design is influenced by functional and aerodynamic sensibilities. The first three-wheeled Morgan to be built on an aluminum monocoque frame; the Super 3 is a more evolutionary design follow-up to its 3-Wheeler predecessor. With a light, fresh, and uncomplicated aesthetic, it also contrasts Morgan’s almost gothic retro-futuristic 2018 EV3 electric three-wheel concept.
Morgan Super 3
Ditching the 3-Wheeler’s externally-mounted, air-cooled 2-liter S&S-sourced V-twin motorcycle engine, the Super 3 adopts a modern, internally-mounted, water-cooled 1.5-liter 3-cylinder Ford engine, much like Morgan’s historic V-Twin three-wheelers were superseded by the Ford-powered F-Series during the 1930s. The most powerful and quickest Morgan three-wheeler yet, the Super 3 produces 118BHP at 6,500rpm and 150Nm at 4,500rpm to propel its featherweight 635kg through 0-100km/h in 7-seconds and onto 209km/h.
Morgan Super 3
Perhaps less aggressive in acoustics than the outgoing S&S engine, the naturally-aspirated version of Ford’s “Dragon” car engine is nevertheless tuned to accentuate its charismatic three-cylinder soundtrack and is more refined and better complies with emissions standards. More mechanically compatible with the Super 3’s unique layout than other motorcycle engines, the Ford engine is mounted behind the front wheels and drives the rear wheels through a Mazda MX-5-sourced manual gearbox and carbon-fiber-reinforced belt.
Morgan Super 3
Promising undiluted old-school thrills and a uniquely connected driving experience, the Super 3 rides on semi-exposed racecar-like pull-rod suspension, with major weights concentrated within the wheelbase. Expected to be somewhat tail-happy, the Super 3’s rear tire was specially designed by Avon for car use but with motorcycle-like ballooned sidewalls. Uncomplicated, sparse, and focused inside, the Super 3 is meanwhile the most practical and customizable Morgan three-wheeler yet, and is offered with optional rear and side luggage racks.
Morgan Plus Four CX-T
Launched last year with the only eight examples sold out, the gloriously oddball Morgan Plus 4 CX-T may look like it rolled out of a “Wacky Races” cartoon but is instead a showcase for Morgan’s potential and a reflection on the past. Developed with Rally Raid UK race engineering firm, the CX-T is based on the new Plus 4 sports car’s stiff bonded aluminum CX-generation frame and is intended as a rally-like overland off-road vehicle.
Morgan Plus Four CX-T
Inspired by Historic Morgan adventure and durability trial vehicles, and inevitably compared with the current buggy-like Ariel Nomad off-road sports car, the CX-T has a decidedly retro design, albeit one that oozes rugged purposefulness. Sitting high with SUV-like 230mm ground clearance and chunky off-road tires, the CX-T features an exposed external roll cage for safety and rigidity. It additionally incorporates extensive underbody protection and a re-designed exhaust system with a rear-side port for an improved departure angle.
Morgan Plus Four CX-T
Sitting with a wider stance than the regular Plus 4, the CX-T uses a modified version of the larger Plus 6 model’s wishbones with EXE-TC coil-overs and bump stops for deeper compression and the best compromise of traction and stability, compliance, and durability. Powered by the Plus 4’s BMW-sourced 2-liter twin-scroll turbo four-cylinder engine, the CX-T develops 258HP at 5,500rpm and 350Nm at 1,000-5,000rpm, and drives the rear wheels through 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic gearbox options.
Morgan Plus Four CX-T
Weighing just over the 1,013kg Plus 4, owing to its sturdier upgraded components, two externally-mounted spare tires and additional tool and storage containers, the CX-T is expected to match or fall slightly behind its sports car sister’s 5.2-second 0-100km/h acceleration and 240km/h top speed. Low revving and with a very wide torque band, the CX-T’s engine drives the rear wheels through a BMW-sourced lockable limited slip differential to improve off-road traction and agility.
Read more Drive
Jordan News
