Morgan Plus E Electric Roadster Revealed, Sports Five-Speed Manual [Geneva Auto Show]

It's no secret that Morgan, as one of Britain's oldest carmakers, trades heavily (and successfully) on its 103-year heritage. Examples include the recent revival of the classic three-wheeler, the perpetuation of a roadster body style that dates to 1950, and the ongoing use of wood as a subdural structural element in its body shells. But this doesn't mean the company is totally resistant to contemporary technology and politically correct propulsion. By way of proof, check the all-electric roadster Morgan presented at last week's Geneva auto show. According to Morgan operations director Steve Morris, the company "wanted to see how much fun you can have in an electric sports car, so we have built one to help us find out." That explanation is appealing, but omits another element of corporate motivation in this regard: a grant totaling the equivalent of nearly $160,000 from the British government's Niche Vehicle Network Programme, which is aimed at stimulating development of low-emission technologies. Morgan reportedly contemplated the possibility of a fuel-cell car, and then a hybrid, before settling on an electrified approach to receiving the R&D supplement. The electrified Moggie is based on the Plus 8's aluminum-intensive chassis (adapted by U.K. aluminum fabricator Radshape Sheet Metal) with a lithium-ion battery pack of unspecified size powering a Zytek Automotive electric motor rated for 94 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Morgan's claims for the electric roadster include a dry weight of 2756 pounds, 0 to 62 mph in 6.0 seconds, and a governed top speed of 115 mph. Range per charge is listed at 120 miles. A unique touch in this setup is the car's five-speed manual gearbox, adapted from the Mazda parts bin. Aside from satisfying sports-car purists, since an electric motor makes max torque from zero rpm, what's the point? According to Zytek managing director Neil Heslington, the next development prototype—Morgan's electric R&D program will extend to one additional unit—will have a sequential gearbox and possibly a different type of battery pack. The Geneva presentation made no mention of when—or even if—a production version might emerge, nor potential cost if it does. At the moment, it's a work in progress. One thing is certain: There will be no production without actual orders. As Morgan family scion and company CEO Charles Morgan observed, "If someone wants us to build one, we will." from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

puts the internet to work for you. via task 647533