Anglophiles, steampunks, and iconoclasts, rejoice! The Morgan Super 3 three-wheeler is officially on sale in America. This is the first new Morgan sold in America since 2019, when the old 3 Wheeler exited production, but if things go according to plan, the Super 3 definitely shouldn’t be the last.
Part of the brief in designing the Morgan Super 3 three-wheeler was to build it with U.S. lighting requirements in mind. As such, minimal changes appear to have been required for American sales, most of which involve lighting. The headlights now sit inboard of the body, as opposed to the rest-of-world outboard mounting position. If anything, it helps the Super 3 look even sleeker than normal, and a pair of amber-lens indicators simply add to the old-school charm.
Unsurprisingly, American regulators wanted reflectors on the luggage-focused side blades, and Morgan complied. They’re relatively minor additions, although I’m sure crafty owners will find a way to clean them up a touch, should the new reflectors be considered a cosmetic bother.
Around back, outboard rear indicators sit where the tail lights on European models normally do, as the American model gets a single taillight located centrally on the tail. Otherwise, the American model looks nigh-on identical to the European version — same gorgeous fuselage shape, same outboard wheels, same intricate front suspension.
As old-school as the Super 3 looks, its construction is remarkably modern. Morgan calls it a “bonded aluminum super formed monocoque platform,” which sounds quite buzzy until you break it down. Unlike most new cars, every panel you see on the Super 3 is structural for lightness. Sheets of aluminum are heated up and vacuum formed to reduce panel stress compared to pressing, then everything is glued and riveted together. Think Lotus Elise on steroids and you wouldn’t be far off.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, motive power in the American Morgan Super 3 is nigh-on identical to the European model. Sure, the engine has been tuned for U.S. emission requirements, but it’s still a 1.5-liter triple supplied by Ford and mated to the gearbox from a Mazda MX-5. This means you get 118 horsepower and 110 lb.-ft. of torque, good for a zero-to-62 time of seven seconds. It’s not face-melting stuff, but this isn’t an Ariel Atom. Besides, the Morgan Super 3 is rated for better fuel economy than most cars — a strong 40 mpg combined. Who knew that saving the planet could look this fun?
From launch, Morgan claims that the Super 3 will be available with more than 200 homologated options and accessories, since few will likely leave their Super 3 stock. From Quad Lock smartphone mounts so loved by bikers to in-dash navigation to luggage solutions, it should be pretty easy to go HAM on the extras. Oh, and don’t worry much about rain wreaking havoc with cabin electronics. The whole vehicle’s electronics are IP64 rated, which means it should shrug off the odd splash. Obviously, you probably wouldn’t want to drive this thing through a monsoon, but that’s just common sense.
So when is the Morgan Super 3 expected to go on sale in America? Well, Morgan dealers in America are taking Super 3 orders right now, and the model is already fully-homologated for American sales. That means no limbo, no waiting period, no hanging on to mere wishes. Prospective customers can even test drive the Super 3, which is more than can be said for many cars right now. Oh, and as for an update on the gorgeous Plus Four sports car, it’s currently in the process of regulatory approval. Fingers crossed Morgan pulls through on this one as that’s one car I’d love to see on the highways.
(Photo credits: Morgan Motor Company)
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Not that, is one difficult suppository.
Man, I’d instantly wrap one to make it look like Luke’s Speeder from Star Wars.
I might be alone in this opinion, but that vehicle is fugly as hell.
Thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one. In general I love Morgan stuff, but when I looked at that first profile image briefly I thought it was a rough demonstrator someone slapped together for testing on the flats. When I realized that was the production model I was quite dismayed.
I keep thinking it looks like those rectangular things in front of the “side blades” will funnel airflow and road dirt right into your luggage. I can’t tell if there’s actually a route for the air to flow that way or if the airflow is directed behind the blades or something.
For better or worse, 3-wheeled cars only exist to dodge laws. Morgan built their first 3-wheelers in/for the UK because “cars” with 3 wheels were cheaper to purchase and register than cars with 4 wheels were in the period.
American legislators and regulators decided, for better and worse, that any vehicle with 3 wheels was legally defined as a “motorcycle”, regardless of what sort of body was used.
On the good side, that means there are fewer and easier safety regulations to meet. Face it, if this “car” had a 4th wheel there would be no way to sell it in the US under existing laws. It’s the same reason the Polaris Slingshot exists, and companies like Elio and Aptera were able to at least try to exist.
On the down side, lighting requirements for motorcycles make no sense on something like this Morgan. As everyone says, they probably make it less safe for night driving. And while some states recognize 3-wheel cars with special legislation that eliminates helmet requirements and special licenses to operate, other states still require a helmet and a motorcycle endorsement to operate them.
One tiny little taillight and headlights inboard if the front wheels? I know someone who was nearly killed by a semi in the old Morgan 3 wheeler that was chrome. Unless this thing makes itself a lot more visible it’s even more of a death wish.
So a teaser was provided without resolution! How do “luggage-focused side blades” work exactly? Lash a soft bag on? specialized luggage that hangs there? Come on, gimme something to go on here!
Wait,this isnt an EV? I thought that’s all they made now.Obviously i’m way behind.
So I’m thinking judging by the lights this is not a 3 wheeled car any longer, but a motorcycle and has to comply with those regs. I can only assume one would possibly need a motorcycle endorsement and helmet to drive/ride it a lot of jurisdictions.
That’s too bad in this world of airbagged, driver assisted tanks passing for cars and phone wielding chimps passing for drivers.
Bring back the mass produced 4 wheel cyclecar, popular, affordable, risky.
Sign the waiver. (-;
The Wolf Spider rides again!
That front view is begging for some Photoshopped arachnid legs.
Aaaand, I just noticed that Torch already got the face on there. Missed that post the first time around:
https://www.theautopian.com/regulations-made-the-us-version-of-the-new-morgan-super-3-have-a-spider-face/
Side blades? Yuck.
Wire wheels? Nope. Exposed V-Twin power, nope. Much interest in the new model? Nope.
How can you take something that succeeded well for decades, and screw it up so thoroughly?
I’m glad there is a choice, but I think I’ll wait for Nobe to get here.
For years I wanted to build myself a Morgan lookalike using a Honda CX engine…. I love these things! Still rather have it with the Vtwin rubbling on the front though.
With my crippled back I can’t imagine crawling in and out of this bathtub.
It still looks cool as hell.
I greatly dislike the side blades, useful as they might be.
Me also, but if I had the money I’d daily this thing anyhow. In the summer of course, winter in WI in a Morgan trike would be significanlty more hardcore than necessary.
Love this. Strongly considering one.
But has anyone been able to get details on why the Super 3 on Top Gear flipped?
I am *guessing* that it dropped a wheel in the dirt at the test track – but it would be worth understanding the circumstances to know whether or not there is a bigger issue with suspension jacking, etc.
It sounds like the crash had pretty dire consequences for the presenter, so it’s worth knowing what happened. It seems like Top Gear and/or Morgan have kept a pretty tight lid on the specifics.
I swear I’m not trying to be snarky, but I really don’t get the appeal of these over something like a Miata or 3 wheeled motorcycle, either of which can be had for under half the price.
If you really like the styling, OK, but it’s not like this is a sparkling performer. I just don’t get Morgan at all, and this vehicle especially.
For me, the main appeal is that it is like nothing else on the market. I’m the kind of person who is a bit of an attention seeker. I also like old, analog stuff. I feel that my fleet reflects that. I DD a 2019 WRX but also have a 2004 TJ, 1978 MGB, and 1967 CJ5. I also have a 1952 John Deere row crop tractor and a 1949 Ford 8N tractor at the house. It gives me an air of eccentricity.
I’m with Tom in many ways. I always prefer the niche when its an option. Instead of an impreza, I drive a Saabaru. I would love a tri-five, but I want a Pontiac, not a Chevy. So the Morgan satisfies that “slightly different” need of mine. I love the fact that they are new but still look rather vintage and as Tom said, analog. Its an aesthetic decision as opposed to anything else, for sure.
If you ever wished you were a WWI pilot, but you’re just sensible enough to recognize the risk inherent in flying a 100+ year old plane, Morgan has the car for you.
I think I’d take my chances in the plane vs piloting this thing on a highway.
At least there’s no semis or lifted HD trucks in the sky.
Yeah, but all it takes is a Canada goose to cream you.
Any word on pricing?
I love these so much I flew all the way to England to test drive one. Oh alright, that wasn’t the only reason I flew to England, but King Charles’ coronation definitely played second fiddle to a dash in a Morgan Super 3. Huzzah!
Wait, so they had to comply with regulations that make it less safe because there are no lights on the corners?
That’s right. Classic NHTSA
I assume the reason they’re so expensive is just economies of scale.
and it costs how much?
Per the website, $53K to start and goes up fast with options
Mini Cooper disease.
you’d think it would be in this article
I still prefer the looks of the old one, even though the new one is probably technically superior in every possible way. The exposed V-twin on the nose of the first generation just looked mad, and imo the new one is a little bland by comparison. You know what would have been sick, though? A three-cylinder radial: https://www.enginebuildermag.com/2021/06/eotw-radial-motions-three-cylinder-compact-radial-engine/
Put the right lights on that and you have a functional flux capacitor.
As someone who owned a Vanderhall for a couple years, I’ll say that these things are wicked fun.
I don’t have the garage space anymore but if the legroom were there I’d be sorely tempted.
Hmmm, Mountune has a kit for the 1.5 to make 225 PS, which would go very nicely with the Super 3…