Morgan Makes Its First Ever Powertrain, Slaps It on an Electric Development Prototype

At the time of writing the British car company has two main models on the table, the mighty Plus (in two versions, the Four and the Six), and the Super 3, with a special version called Malle Rally Special.

Why are these things wacky? Well, because they appeal to a group of people with a special mindset, which have particular needs and wants. The Plus, for instance, is playing the game in the sports car segment, but it does so with a styling that is more reminiscent of the cars assembled during the pre-war and war years.

The Super 3, on the other hand, is an open-wheel vehicle that also wants to make a name for itself in the sports car segment, but it wants to do that while using just three wheels. That's right, although there are two very visible wheels at the front, only one of them supports the rear.

The Plus and Super 3 do have something in common, though, despite the obvious differences: they are both powered by internal combustion engines, supplied by either Ford or BMW. And as you all know, ICE units are on their out the door, and their place will be taken by electric drivetrains.

And that exactly why we're here, Morgan's announcement that it too is going electric. And it will do so with technologies developed on a test vehicle called the XP-1. It's something described as a development project, not meant for actual production, but one that will definitely have a say in how future electric Morgan machines are made.

This grandfather of all future electric Morgans is, as you can very well see, shaped not unlike the Super 3. In fact, the three-wheeler used the same chassis, but adapted to allow the installation of batteries, inverters, and electric motors.

Morgan has for years been in the business of using engines produced by other companies, but with the XP-1, it allowed itself to go nuts and created "Morgan's first-ever powertrain, be that internal combustion or battery electric. "

Sadly, the news of Morgan stepping down the electric path is so fresh that the company didn't see fit to share more details on exactly what this first-ever powertrain is all about. We are promised, however, a wealth of new details in the months ahead.

It took Morgan about a year to put together the XP-1, and for the next two years or so it will be put through its paces in a bid to learn more about how to properly make "lightweight, analog, engaging" EVs.

Whatever comes out of the XP-1 will be meant for the sports car segment as well, and that is already obvious from this prototype. Morgan claims the changes made to accommodate the electric powertrain have already translated in a 33 percent reduction in drag coefficient compared to the Super 3, which we know stands at 0.42.

With the XP-1 Morgan is also researching a new display for the car's interior, an external charge level indicator, and LEDs all over the front cowl. New wheel designs suitable for an electric car are also being researched.

We'll keep an eye out for whatever else Morgan has to say about this development vehicle and update as soon as we learn more.