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Thanks to a raft of new updated from Morgan, the 3 Wheeler is full of character and a joy to drive

What is it?

An updated version of Morgan's 3 Wheeler sports car. It's neccessary because more than 1000 units have now been delivered to customers since its launch in 2011. 

Customer feedback from those models has lead to a new and improved version of the tricycle for 2014. Not that you’d know it from a brief once-over, however. Visually, experts might note some engine-top addenda in the form of an urban cooling pack that’s probably unnecessary in the UK but doubtless handy in hotter climes. Aside from some new air vents,  there’s no other visual difference. 

The differences are there, though. Changes to the chassis construction have resulted in a welcome increase in torsional rigidity (repeated extreme cornering on our early-build road test car twisted the chassis until the exhaust fouled the body), while the steering geometry has been revised to reduce bump steer.

What's it like?

As good as the old model, even its its upgrades aren't immediately obvious as I roll the 3 Wheeler from the Morgan London dealership out towards some sodden roads for our test drive. The take-up of the powertrain is meant to be a touch smoother, but it’s been a while since I’ve driven a 3 Wheeler, so it’s hard to tell if it’s better, or by how much. 

The 80bhp, 1983cc V-twin engine is still as lumpy as ever, but the drive – which incorporates a damper to counter some of the rotating masses, a Mazda MX-5 five-speed gearbox and a belt drive to the single rear tyre – has been modified to make things a bit more refined.

To my hands and feet, mind, the driving experience is not particularly different and the essential character is totally unchanged, neither of which is a bad thing at all. There’s plenty of torque and sufficient power, while the Morgan gives its driver oodles of feedback as it threads along. 

Without a recent drive of the predecessor, I couldn’t tell you if the unassisted steering is different. I know it’s still good: positively weighted, sensibly geared and taking on decent feel as speeds rise.

Engine and gearbox responses are the same, too. The engine is a peach, makes a great noise and revs with positivity right through the range.

The handling is still biased towards understeer at first, which was exacerbated by the conditions in which we drove the 3 Wheeler. It’s still possible to use the ample torque to overwhelm the rear, at which point you take on a pre-war demeanour and start sawing away at the wheel. 

It’s the same on the open road. The driving position is a laid-back, long-armed one, so it’s a more physical experience than, say, a Caterham Seven, but none the worse for that. There’s a touch more space in the footwell than in a Seven, too.

Should I buy one?

If you're already a fan of the Three Wheeler but haven't yet decided whether to take the plunge, then yes.

Even when it rains, you find yourself peering around the edge of the aero screens, dodging the raindrops, getting one cold arm and generally feeling at one with everything surrounding you. Situation normal, then, and situation wonderful.

Morgan 3 Wheeler

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Price £31,140; 0-60mph 8.0sec (est); Top speed 115mph (est); Economy 30mpg (est); CO2 na; Kerb weight 550kg; Engine V-twin, 1983cc, petrol; Power 80bhp at 5250rpm; Torque 103lb ft at 3250rpm; Gearbox 5-speed manual

Matt Prior

Matt Prior
Title: Editor-at-large

Matt is Autocar’s lead features writer and presenter, is the main face of Autocar’s YouTube channel, presents the My Week In Cars podcast and has written his weekly column, Tester’s Notes, since 2013.

Matt is an automotive engineer who has been writing and talking about cars since 1997. He joined Autocar in 2005 as deputy road test editor, prior to which he was road test editor and world rally editor for Channel 4’s automotive website, 4Car. 

Into all things engineering and automotive from any era, Matt is as comfortable regularly contributing to sibling titles Move Electric and Classic & Sports Car as he is writing for Autocar. He has a racing licence, and some malfunctioning classic cars and motorbikes. 

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RebeccaChapman 13 May 2021

In early May, the journalists of the writemypaper.nyc portal visited the Morgan Motor factory, and also tested the lineup of the legendary British brand. The plant of one of the oldest car manufacturers is located a few hundred kilometers from London, in the picturesque place of Malvern Link. The Morgan Motor Company was founded in 1909, and the factory in the form and place in which it is now represented appeared a little in 1914. , electronics, then polish, check and carry out pre-sale preparation ... Currently, the company employs 180 people.