The Morgan 3 Wheeler is a three-wheeled roadster produced by British manufacturer Morgan Motor Company from 2012 to 2021. It was unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.[3][4][5][6]

Morgan 3 Wheeler[1]
2012 Morgan 3 Wheeler, US-spec
Overview
ManufacturerMorgan Motor Company
Production2012–2021 (3 Wheeler)
2016–2018 (EV3)
AssemblyMalvern Link, Worcestershire, United Kingdom
Body and chassis
ClassThree-wheeler, Sports car
Body style2 seat, Roadster
LayoutFR layout
Powertrain
EngineS&S 1983 cc ohv V-twin
TransmissionMazda 5-speed manual with torque damper
Dimensions
Wheelbase92 in (2,336.8 mm)[2]
Length126 in (3,200.4 mm)[2]
Chronology
PredecessorMorgan F-Series
SuccessorMorgan Super 3

Technical

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The 3 Wheeler was initially said to have a Harley-Davidson Screaming Eagle V-twin engine and a Mazda 5-speed manual transmission,[3][4][5][6][7] and was estimated to deliver 115 hp (86 kW)[3][5][6][7] at the rear wheel.[6][7] However, there was a surprise when the prototype that was shown at Geneva had an S&S engine. Production three-wheelers turned out to have S&S engines.[8][9] The kerb weight was originally estimated to be less than 500 kg (1,102 lb),[3][4][5][7] but the final weight was tested at 550 kg (1,212 lb). The acceleration from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) was estimated by Morgan as 4.5 seconds, with an (estimated) top speed of 115 mph (185 km/h).[3][4][5][6][7] The three-wheeler was homologated as a motorcycle in the United States.[3][7]

Orders and deliveries

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The company states that 850 deposits have been taken since the announcement in 2011. Customer deliveries began in Europe in February 2012. USA deliveries were in June 2012, when the first imported three-wheeler was displayed in New York City and at the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance.

Appearances on Top Gear

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The Morgan 3 Wheeler was featured in a Series 18 episode of UK motoring show Top Gear where presenter Richard Hammond picked the Morgan 3 Wheeler in a comparison of track-day cars. The 3 Wheeler won the "Not-A-Car of the Year 2011" in Top Gear.

Successor model

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The current generation model of the Morgan 3 Wheeler ended production in summer 2021[10] with a run-out version called the P101.[11] It was replaced by the Morgan Super 3 in 2022.[12]

Electric variant

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Morgan Threewheeler EV3 at Geneva Motor Show, 6 March 2018

Morgan was working on an electric prototype version of the Three Wheeler called the “EV3”. The electric motor was rated at 101 bhp, and was estimated to produce 150 miles of range (240 km) with a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery.[13] Production of the EV3 was cancelled in late 2018.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Prior, Matt. "Morgan 3 Wheeler review". Autocar. Haymarket Consumer Media. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Morgan 3 Specs" (Dealer's vehicle specification page). Seattle, Washington US: Liberty Motors. Archived from the original on 11 June 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "2011 Morgan Threewheeler". Edmunds Inside Line. Edmunds Inc. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d Harrison, Sarah-Jayne (3 November 2010). "Morgan 3 Wheeler (2011) first official pictures". Car Magazine. Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK: Bauer Media. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e Phillips, Tom (4 November 2010). "Morgan revives the Threewheeler". Auto Express. London: Dennis Publishing. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e Constant, Brad (3 November 2010). "Morgan Threewheeler returns after 58-year break". Autoweek. Detroit, MI, USA: Crain Communications. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Miersma, Seyth (3 November 2010). "First Look: 2011 Morgan Threewheeler". Winding Road. Ypsilanti, MI, USA. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  8. ^ Garrett, Jerry (25 February 2011). "Geneva Auto Show: Morgan 3 Wheeler". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 March 2011. It was announced to have an 81-horsepower V-twin motorcycle engine built by S & S, the same company that builds motors for so-called Harley clone choppers, and is closely based on late-model Harley-Davidson power plants. However, the UK test the final bhp at 81 bhp.
  9. ^ Berkowitz, Justin (1 March 2011). "Morgan 3-Wheeler - Auto Shows". Car and Driver. Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. Retrieved 4 March 2011. This S&S-supplied powerplant is a bit more modern, though: It produces 81 hp, is fuel-injected, and is mated to a Mazda-sourced five-speed gearbox.
  10. ^ "3 Wheeler - Morgan Motor Company". 1 August 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  11. ^ Will Trinkwon (19 November 2020). "Morgan 3 Wheeler P101 Edition revealed as run-out model". Autocar. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  12. ^ Felix Page. "Exclusive: new 2022 Morgan 3 Wheeler confirmed in testing shot". www.autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Morgan 3 wheeler goes electric - with an Ashwoods Electric Motor | AEM". Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  14. ^ Steve Cropley (12 October 2018). "Electric Morgan 3 Wheeler shelved". Autocar. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
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