What's the news?
This striking looking machine is an all-electric version of the Morgan 3 Wheeler, called the EV3, revealed at the Geneva Motor Show and representing the tiny marque's first ever electric vehicle.
Getting rid of the 3 Wheeler's V-twin engine, the EV3 packs a 20kWh lithium-ion battery which powers a liquid-cooled 46kW (62hp) electric motor that powers that solitary rear wheel. Despite electric powertrains weighing a considerable amount, Morgan says the EV3 weighs less than 500kg, which is a reduction on the 3 Wheeler's 525kg figure.
That's thanks to the fact it is the first Morgan to use carbon composite panels in its construction, with the lightweight material featuring in the bonnet, tonneau cover and side pods. The rest of the EV3 is aluminium and the ash wood frame remains, providing an interesting juxtaposition of the traditional and the cutting edge.
The EV3 gets an entirely new dashboard arrangement with a 'magneto' switch for drive selection and a digital screen, plus wood, brass and polished aluminium trim. Outside, that unusual appearance is inspired by various historic race cars and motorcycles - and '1950s fantasy automatons', intriguingly - with some key features including the brass conductive cooling fins for the battery pack and the tail-lift seen on the company's 1930s three-wheeled racers.
Anything else?
Morgan is aiming to start final development of the EV3 following the Geneva show, with production slated for the end of 2016. Where sold, the company says it will be comparable on price to the 3 Wheeler. The EV3 should have a range of around 240km on a charge, with a 0-100km/h time of less than 9.0 seconds and a top speed in excess of 145km/h.