Storied British brand Morgan has unveiled a battery-powered version of its three-wheeled sports car called the XP-1, with the lightweight EV acting as a test bed for the brand’s development of future all-electric models.
Based on the same aluminium monocoque chassis as the ICE-powered Super 3, the XP-1 uses an all-electric powertrain designed and built by Morgan.
The XP-1 isn’t headed to the production line, however, and it is unclear when Morgan’s first electric model will arrive, but the long-running marque has revealed that the EV prototype is undergoing testing.
Morgan has previously experimented with electric powertrains, unveiling the Morgan EV3 three-wheeler back in 2016. The EV3 was tipped for production but plans for the striking 120-mile EV were later dropped
The XP-1 is fitted with a 33kWh battery – built by British firm Zero EV – which sits underneath the bonnet, with the inverter placed under the passenger seat.
A 100kW electric motor sits in the chassis’s central tunnel and drives the single rear wheel. Range is said to be around 150 miles.
Intriguingly, the kerb weight of the XP-1 is only 60kg more than the Ford-powered Super 3, with Morgan stating that it would ensure that its future electric models would remain lightweight, adding that the weight requirement was “fundamental in the decision for the company to create its own powertrain.”
The design of the XP-1 is similar to the standard Super 3, but has been aerodynamically honed, resulting in a 33% reduction in the car’s drag coefficient.
Morgan reworked the Super 3’s wheel design and made modifications to its underbody in order to improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Inside the XP-1 gets a bespoke infotainment screen, although Morgan says the user interface will “continually evolve” as its engineers and designers gather feedback on how drivers interact with the vehicle.
Morgan is also currently experimenting with a Sennheiser sound system mounted onto the chassis to create sound.
The XP-1 also features an external charging indicator in the form of an LED cowling. It also gains new wheel trims for better aerodynamic performance.
CCS charging is enabled for fast charging and features bi-directional charging, which means the XP-1 can act as a power source for small appliances such as a kettle.
