2022 Morgan Super 3 - Images, Specifications and Information

Underpinning the Morgan Super 3 is a bonded aluminium Superformed monocoque platform. Morgan’s expertise with bonded aluminium platforms dates back more than two decades, to the start of Aero 8 production, and was furthered with the CX-Generation platform used in the 2020 Plus Four and 2019 Plus Six. Super 3’s platform evolves that technology further still.

For the first time in Morgan history, the platform is a true monocoque, with stressed exterior ‘A-surfaces’ (as opposed to a unibody design found on most modern production cars, with bolt-on non-structural panels). Not only does this make for a lighter and more rigid chassis but also provides packaging benefits and gives more interior occupant space with no intrusion. Its rigidity not only benefits the car’s dynamic capability but also enhances safety, with Super 3 meeting the same exacting M1 and Reg. 12 frontal impact standards as Morgan’s Plus Four and Plus Six four-wheeled cars.

Super 3 continues Morgan’s long-standing use of Superform technology. The heating of aluminium to a superplastic state before vacuum forming it allows for intricate exterior shapes to be created with a lower material stress than pressing. While Superformed exterior panels are a proven technology in automotive production, this is the first time the process has been used to produce a structural vehicle platform.

Further displaying Morgan’s use of innovative construction techniques is the exposed structural front casting. As well as providing the rigidity of the car and mounting points for the suspension while performing a vital safety function, it also carries the attractive finish required of an A-surface. As a display of the car’s mechanical honesty, it provides a link to motorcycles, which use exposed castings in their frames.

 In 1933, Morgan introduced the F-Type three-wheeler, which made the switch from V-twin power to a conventional Ford engine, housed under a bonnet. Almost a century later, Ford has again been chosen to supply the engine, specifically its innovative 1.5-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine. Powerful, efficient and characterful, it provides a combination of attributes which make it perfectly suited to its application in the Morgan Super 3. Extensive development has gone into tuning the engine’s acoustic content and enhancing its natural and distinctive three-cylinder character. It is exceptionally compact and has allowed Super 3’s design to remain true to form without compromising passenger space.

The engine is coupled to five-speed Mazda gearbox, as found in MX-5 and used in the outgoing Morgan 3 Wheeler. Unlike the previous model, however, no compensator is required in the driveline, therefore minimising complexity and weight. The bevel box has been re-engineered using a custom tooth profile, and it drives through a carbon fibre-reinforced drive belt.

The powertrain meets motorcycle Euro 5a, which is in line with cars, and will meet Euro 5b which includes OBD requirements.

 Core to any Morgan product is driving enjoyment, and thanks to more than a century of experience, the company has become a global leader in the dynamic behaviour of three-wheeled vehicles. Super 3 is no exception. It is fundamentally stable – achieved through a dedication to keeping the vehicle’s mass within its contact triangle – and feels planted but with an assertive turn-in feel. Pull-rod suspension is key to this, bringing mass inboard and reducing unsprung mass while aiding airflow to the radiators.

Morgan has worked in partnership with Avon to develop its own 20-inch diameter tyre for Super 3. Reviving the iconic Speedmaster name, the tyre is based on the look of a heritage motorcycle tyre with 'ballooned' sidewalls but has been engineered specifically for Morgan and is closer to a car tyre in its design. To ensure ultimate performance, the compound and casing design have been through multiple iterations of fine tuning.

The rear tyre on a three-wheeler plays a crucial role in the handling and dynamic capabilities. The company has undergone a rigorous testing programme to determine the exact tyre choice for the rear of Super 3. After significant real-world testing and simulation, an Avon all-season tyre was selected to provide optimum slip angle. The rear tyre on a three-wheeler is often subjected to the dirtiest, wettest part of the road, and as the driving tyre it must maintain appropriate contact and grip.

Extensive development has also taken place to tune the feel of the controls. For example, the clutch is deliberately well weighted with a short travel, to reflect the short throw of the gearbox. Particular attention has been paid to the pedal spacing, allowing easy heal-and-toe gearchanges and retaining a playful feel.

While mechanical connection was crucial, refinement has been enhanced thanks to a combination of the rigidity of the bonded chassis and extensive drivetrain development. A new bevel box with custom tooth profiles (see drivetrain, above) reduces additional noise, and has been carefully tuned to ensure it maintains a straight-cut, race-car feel but without an overbearing mechanical noise.

 The Super 3 marks Morgan's most comprehensive vehicle development programme yet. The company has employed a new level of competence in CAE (computer-aided engineering) and structural durability simulations. Its engineering practices are in line with many OEM whole-vehicle programmes and far exceed motorcycle standards.

In testing, Super 3 has outperformed its targets. Several validation prototype vehicles have been operational at numerous proving grounds, undergoing continual durability programmes comprising Belgian pavé, torsional ramps and continuous full-bore acceleration and braking tests.

Further test vehicles have undergone 'real-world' mileage accumulation in all conditions, exceeding the parameters of any testing programme operated by the company to date and allowing for extensive insight into the life of the vehicle.

Particular focus has been paid to Super 3’s cooling package. Using a temperature-, pressure- and load-controlled environment, simulations have included the running of the car fully laden in some of the harshest and most challenging environments in the world, all of which were achieved with high levels of cooling redundancy.

Chris Arthur, Chief Engineer, Morgan Motor Company, said:“The Morgan Super 3 represents a new level of engineering integrity for Morgan. Superform techniques have allowed us to achieve something that is typically out of reach for niche manufacturers. The monocoque platform is light, stiff, strong and resilient and looks good. Throughout the vehicle, the quality of finish is comparable to that of much larger manufacturers, and we feel we have engineered a car that delivers a lot more value to Morgan customers.

“Super 3 remains true to Morgan’s roots because it’s a non-standard construction and every element has purpose. We have employed techniques that are appropriate and improve the quality for the customer. It is a modern take on utilising your own production methods to remain unique.

"I am particularly proud to be a part of the team tasked with delivering Super 3. While we have grown in recent years, we remain a small yet hugely resourceful and talented group. Super 3 is a testament to their skill, knowledge and hard work.”

 Super 3 is the most configurable Morgan to date. The company has curated an extensive list of more than 200 options and accessories, each one allowing owners to tailor their Super 3. A key project aim was to design and homologate all accessories and options alongside the development of the main vehicle. This not only ensures that those options work in total harmony with the vehicle but also removes the need to retrofit additional options once the vehicle has been built.

Feedback from owners of previous three-wheeled models has been instrumental in defining some of the key accessory themes. These themes – three of which can be witnessed on the vehicles demonstrated at launch – include adventure touring, contemporary design and classic motorsport.

Morgan has developed many of its own options and accessories and worked with several key partners to help curate the options available. These project partners include Malle London, Beeline and Quad Lock.

Malle London creates the finest British motorcycle luggage and adventure accessories. Morgan has worked in partnership with Malle London to develop the Morgan x Malle range of vehicle and clothing accessories.

The Morgan x Malle pannier is made from 18oz waxed black canvas and features unique fixtures on the reverse to attach the pannier to the sideblade. The size of the pannier is unique to Morgan and features multiple compartments as well as a rear-mounted cup holder.

A Morgan x Malle driving jacket has been developed in a partnership between the two companies. Available in black or desert sand, a matching knee guard helps to protect the occupant’s legs in adverse weather conditions.

Working in partnership with Beeline, Super 3 features Morgan’s first in-car navigational solution. Deliberately simple yet effective in its application, Beeline technology is currently employed in several motorcycle applications. A bespoke bracket fits onto the column top to neatly mount the Beeline device. The device itself is waterproof and shockproof, linking to a smartphone app offering worldwide coverage via Google mapping.

Making use of accessory rails situated around the vehicle and under the dashboard, a secure smartphone mounting solution has been developed in partnership with Quad Lock. Using Quad Lock’s universal fixings, a smartphone mount works alongside a Quad Lock case that is available for all smartphones.

 In what has been recognised as the company’s first patent, a unique fixing has been designed to allow for myriad opportunities to adorn Super 3 with additional options. Known as 'accessory rails', the fixings are available in anodised black or silver and can be applied to sideblades, under the dashboard, on the front and rear bulkheads, on wind deflectors, on the rear luggage rack and on the rear end of the hard shell pannier. Accessory rails allow for the addition of items such as soft panniers (developed with Malle London), a hard shell pannier available in body colour or mohair, an exo side rack with optional bungee cords, an internal cup holder, a Quad Lock phone mount, a helmet mount and camera mounting points. Accessory rails also fix on to the wind deflectors, which are available in two sizes and can be interchanged as desired. A tall wind deflector can be fitted for longer touring, while low wind deflectors can be optioned in clear or yellow tint. Each accessory rail also features a thread for mounting a camera, providing owners with a simple solution to capture their adventures on video.

Aluminium hard shell panniers can be optioned as part of a Super 3 build specification. The panniers use accessory rails to fix on to the sideblades and can be secured using a security fastening mechanism. Available in mohair fabric finish – or painted to match the specified body colour of the vehicle – hard shell panniers provide a quality and aesthetically pleasing luggage solution. A fabric-lined interior and weatherproof exterior ensure that items are transported in safety. To the rear of the hard shell pannier there is an accessory rail to allow for an externally mounted cup holder.

 As with the previous Morgan 3 Wheeler, graphics packs play a significant role in the customisation of the Morgan Super 3. A choice of five full vehicle liveries and seven individual decals can be selected, with the opportunity to combine graphics and apply a custom 'call sign' or national flag.

Inspirations from aviation, technical glitch graphics and heritage markings have inspired many of the decals. Owners can select a call sign for their Super 3, which will add their ‘pilot’ name and that of their ‘co-pilot’ in a motorsport-inspired application just below the cockpit. Should they wish, owners can also choose to add their national flag, which will be situated next to their call sign.

Super 3 is all about fun and being different. Each of the liveries and decals has been designed to add further personality to the vehicle, a quality that has resonated with Morgan owners in previous models.

An exo-skeleton rear luggage rack is sculpted to the rear profile of Super 3 and can be specified in black or silver. The rack is attached by a hard fixing point to the aluminium casting at the rear of the vehicle and is designed to open and close along the same axis as the boot, negating the need to remove it when opening and closing the boot. When down, the rack latches on to the roll hoops with a simple fixing. It also features holes and slits to allow for the attachment of storage netting.

Side racks are designed in the same style as the rear rack and are also available in black or silver with a range of bungee cord colours to choose from. The side racks allow for the quick storage of soft bags or clothing.

Toby Blythe, Head of Marketing, Morgan Motor Company, said:“Options, accessories and customisation are fundamental to the ethos of Super 3. We identified several key themes among owners of the previous Morgan 3 Wheeler and looked to expand on them. Working with a hand-picked selection of project partners in the premium lifestyle, outdoor and technology industries, we have been able to offer Super 3 owners an almost endless choice of vehicle options that can be specified at order point or at a later date.

"The concept of premium utility is something that features heavily in Super 3’s options: the idea that you can equip items that are luxurious and quality yet still ruggedised and functional. This concept is celebrated in products such as the Malle London x Morgan soft panniers, and we are delighted to have worked with such like-minded companies.

"We are confident that Super 3 will build on Morgan’s incredible heritage of three-wheeled vehicles by offering something to our existing customers as well as appealing to those who are new to the brand. We can’t wait to watch as Super 3 owners embark on incredible adventures all over the world.”
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