Not a motorcycle, nor a car, the Super 3 is classified as an autocycle. This designation refers to a three-wheeled vehicle with a steering wheel and sit-in cockpit, requirements the Morgan Super 3 meets in earnest.
Introduced with much pomp in February 2022 as the successor of the long-running 3 Wheeler, the newcomer is now available to configure in America. The Super 3 is the first Morgan production vehicle in this part of the world since the 3 Wheeler ended production in 2021.
It's not cheap, though. The build & price tool for the US market reveals a grand total of $53,937.98 for the most basic of specifications available, which is a lot of moolah by most accounts. For example, Toyota and Mazda charge $28k for the GR86 and MX-5. Step it up a notch to the six-cylinder Supra with a six-speed manual transmission, and you're looking at $53k.
However, none of the four-wheeled examples from earlier can match the sensations offered by the Super 3. The British automaker designed the 3 Wheeler's heir apparent with the United States in mind, although that starting price will make it a rare sight on US roads.
The beating heart of the Super 3 is a Ford engine, namely the Dragon 1.5L three-cylinder lump. Better known as the 1.5L Ti-VCT, said mill can be found under the hoods of the EcoSport, Focus, and Ka supermini.
Ti stands for twin independent, whereas VCT refers to variable camshaft timing. As opposed to Ford's original VCT, this one controls the timing for the intake and exhaust valves. Independent adjustments make for better fuel economy in low-load conditions. Mash the gas pedal all the way down for overtaking, and Ti-VCT focuses on power to the detriment of saving fuel.
The powerplant of the Super 3 is rated at 118 horsepower and 110 pound-feet, as in 87 kW and 150 Nm for those who prefer the metric system. Morgan quotes a dry weight of 635 kilograms (make that 1,400 pounds), a top speed of 130 miles per hour (209 kilometers per hour), and something like 7 seconds from 0 to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour).
Boasting a monocoque constructed from aluminum, the Super 3 comes with a five-speed manual exclusively. Given the output numbers and low curb weight, a six-speed transmission simply isn't needed. Available in a huge number of paint colors, the Super 3 can be specified with pearl, metallic, and solid paints in either gloss or matte finishes. The wheels come in glossy silver as standard. Black and graphite are priced at $469.47, whereas body-color wheels are $707.18.
There's even a dark gray option for the structural aluminum castings bracing the aforementioned engine and front suspension. The castings are designed to channel air into the radiators. Halogen lights are standard, whereas LED lights are listed at $1,182.60.
On an ending note, how different is the American Super 3 from its European counterpart? The easiest way of telling them apart is the location of the headlights. In the United States, due to homologation requirements, the headlights are mounted within the body's width.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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