2014 Morgan 3 Wheeler first drive review

From £31,14010
Thanks to a raft of new updated from Morgan, the 3 Wheeler is full of character and a joy to drive

Our Verdict

Morgan 3 Wheeler

Morgan 3 Wheeler

After a half-century absence, Morgan returns to three wheels with a firm focus on driver enjoyment above all else. It's a winning formula

Matt Prior
3 March 2014
2014 Morgan 3 Wheeler

What is it?

An updated version of Morgan's 3 Wheeler sports car. It's neccessary because more than 1000 units have now been delivered to customers since its launch in 2011. 

Customer feedback from those models has lead to a new and improved version of the tricycle for 2014. Not that you’d know it from a brief once-over, however. Visually, experts might note some engine-top addenda in the form of an urban cooling pack that’s probably unnecessary in the UK but doubtless handy in hotter climes. Aside from some new air vents,  there’s no other visual difference. 

The differences are there, though. Changes to the chassis construction have resulted in a welcome increase in torsional rigidity (repeated extreme cornering on our early-build road test car twisted the chassis until the exhaust fouled the body), while the steering geometry has been revised to reduce bump steer.

What's it like?

As good as the old model, even its its upgrades aren't immediately obvious as I roll the 3 Wheeler from the Morgan London dealership out towards some sodden roads for our test drive. The take-up of the powertrain is meant to be a touch smoother, but it’s been a while since I’ve driven a 3 Wheeler, so it’s hard to tell if it’s better, or by how much. 

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The 80bhp, 1983cc V-twin engine is still as lumpy as ever, but the drive – which incorporates a damper to counter some of the rotating masses, a Mazda MX-5 five-speed gearbox and a belt drive to the single rear tyre – has been modified to make things a bit more refined.

To my hands and feet, mind, the driving experience is not particularly different and the essential character is totally unchanged, neither of which is a bad thing at all. There’s plenty of torque and sufficient power, while the Morgan gives its driver oodles of feedback as it threads along. 

Without a recent drive of the predecessor, I couldn’t tell you if the unassisted steering is different. I know it’s still good: positively weighted, sensibly geared and taking on decent feel as speeds rise.

Engine and gearbox responses are the same, too. The engine is a peach, makes a great noise and revs with positivity right through the range.

The handling is still biased towards understeer at first, which was exacerbated by the conditions in which we drove the 3 Wheeler. It’s still possible to use the ample torque to overwhelm the rear, at which point you take on a pre-war demeanour and start sawing away at the wheel. 

It’s the same on the open road. The driving position is a laid-back, long-armed one, so it’s a more physical experience than, say, a Caterham Seven, but none the worse for that. There’s a touch more space in the footwell than in a Seven, too.

Should I buy one?

If you're already a fan of the Three Wheeler but haven't yet decided whether to take the plunge, then yes.

Even when it rains, you find yourself peering around the edge of the aero screens, dodging the raindrops, getting one cold arm and generally feeling at one with everything surrounding you. Situation normal, then, and situation wonderful.

Morgan 3 Wheeler

Price £31,140; 0-60mph 8.0sec (est); Top speed 115mph (est); Economy 30mpg (est); CO2 na; Kerb weight 550kg; Engine V-twin, 1983cc, petrol; Power 80bhp at 5250rpm; Torque 103lb ft at 3250rpm; Gearbox 5-speed manual

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