The pretty impressive auto
mobile Morgan Aero Super Sports would go green in the appropriate future.
As we know the standard line it has a lightweight aluminium body, with a hardwood and leather cockpit and most important, a top speed of 273 km/h (170mph) developed by the 4.8 litre BMW V8 engine.
Morgan and Zytek Automotive planned to replace the standard engine with an electric motor of 70kW. As a result of this project the new Electric Morgan +E will be made in two copies. If the experience proves favourable as representative of British automakers says, “further developments” will follow.
The electric motor of 70kW (300 Nm) derives from a Zytek model that is currently supplied to some American Electric Vehicle manufacturers. The electric motor will be mounted in the transmission tunnel, with connections for cooling water, high and low voltage electrics. The total electric power will be supplied by a lithium-ion battery pack which is integrated into the electric vehicle aluminium chassis.
For anyone who likens driving an electric vehicle to driving golf carts will be glad to find out that Electric Morgan +E will keep the SuperSports manual transmission. As Zytek engineering program manager Neil Cheeseman stated: “Keeping the motor in its sweet spot will help it use energy more efficiently, which will increase the vehicle’s range” and “It also allows us to provide lower gearing for rapid acceleration from pull-away and higher gearing for top speed.”
The Morgan/Zytek collaborative project has received funding from the CENEX-run Niche Vehicle Network CR&D Programme, which promotes the application of new technology for making low-carbon vehicles more marketable. Morgan previously received funding from the group for development of the new version of its iconic Three Wheeler. Work on the two +E’s began in July, and should be completed by January. Morgan is also working on a fuel cell-powered prototype automobile, known as the Lifecar.
