Car firm hopes three will be a lucky number (From Worcester News)

Car firm hopes three will be a lucky number

12:10pm Sunday 27th February 2011 in News

THE newest car from Morgan Motors is being launched at a top European motor show in Switzerland.

The Morgan 3 Wheeler will be unveiled to the continent’s motoring journalists at the Geneva Auto Salon on Tuesday as one of the highlights of the show’s first day.

This week, staff at the Pickersleigh Road factory were busy putting the final touches to the two 3 Wheelers that have since been taken to the Swiss city’s Palais des Expositions, alongside two Morgan Classics and two Aero Super Sports. The 3 Wheeler is an updated version of the original, which was built in Malvern between 1909 and 1951. The new car retains the classic lines of the iconic original, but allies them to some of the most-up-to-date automotive technology, including a 1,917cc motorcycle engine by American manufacturer S and S, similar to those in the latest Harley-Davidsons, and the five-speed gearbox from the Mazda MX5.

“It’s really a car for the driver who likes to be close to the elements,” said managing director Charles Morgan this week. “It weighs under 500kg, it can go 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and do 50mpg and because of the size of the fuel tanks, it’s got a range of 400 miles.

“We haven’t changed the basic shape because it’s remarkably aerodynamic and the old three wheelers still hold some records for their engine size.”

Production of the 3 Wheeler is not due to start until May, but 300 people have already put down deposits for the car, expected to cost about £30,000.

The firm has taken on 20 more staff to build the cars.