Autoblog

Morgan launches 3 Wheeler in Gulf livery

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Motorcycle, Specialty, Design/Style, MISC

We love the classic baby blue and orange Gulf livery as much as anyone, but when everything from the Tata Nano to a DeLorean and even a racing-grade semi truck (okay, the semi is pretty cool...) is painted in the scheme, it might be time to give it a rest. With perhaps one notable exception: this Gulf Edition Morgan 3 Wheeler.

Not only does Morgan have a legitimate racing relationship with Gulf Oil in Le Mans-class racing, we just so happen to love the Morgan 3 Wheeler more than almost anything else on wheels... no matter what hue it's painted. Combine the two and you've got us drooling.

Morgan will build 100 commemorative Gulf Edition 3 Wheeler models, with a starting price of 29,162.50 pounds (plus Value Added Tax) in the UK - that's around $46,700 US. We're not sure how many examples will make it Stateside, but if we happened to be in the market for an in-your-face adrenaline rush on three wheels, we'd have our friendly neighborhood US distributor on speed dial.

Check out the high-res image gallery above, and don't forget the press release below.

Continue reading Morgan launches 3 Wheeler in Gulf livery

Morgan launches 3 Wheeler in Gulf livery originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Dec 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Morgan 3 Wheeler [w/video]

Matt Davis — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, First Drives, Motorcycle

America Helps Britain Bring Back The Trike

2012 Morgan 3 Wheeler - Click above for high-res image gallery

It weighs just 1,090 pounds, chuffs out 115 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque, and can launch to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds. Oh, and you definitely feel every bit of it.

The 2012 Morgan 3 Wheeler is a decidedly modernized homage to the trike that inspired it. Beginning back in 1909, this British tripod evolved through a succession of V-twin engines, culminating in 1953, when the last of the original Morgan three-wheeled "cyclecars" rolled off the line in Malvern Link. By that time, a four-cylinder Ford engine good for up to 32 hp was also available, but it's the V-twin's legacy through 1946 that has always carried the most significance for aficionados of the three-tire flyer.

Words like "fun" don't even begin to describe what it is that would lead a North American enthusiast to spend north of $50,000 to secure a Morgan 3 Wheeler. (Note that whereas the original cars went through some variants in the official writing of the name, the new car is to be written exclusively as "Morgan 3 Wheeler" - so say adamant company spokespeople). People who simply must have this heated runabout are incurably sick with a British disease. They love getting rained on at 70 mph, the persistent smell of dairy cattle cannot deter them from a vigorous country drive and $50,000 borders on a small price to pay for the pure handmade exhilaration of a proper trike. Yep, they're nuts.

That apparently means we're nuts, too, because after taking this journey into deepest Worcestershire and tearing around the UK's storybook Malvern Hills, darting through the pelting rain and cruising in the glistening sun between cloudy spells, we desperately want one of these beautifully useless 3 Wheelers.

Continue reading 2012 Morgan 3 Wheeler [w/video]

2012 Morgan 3 Wheeler [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Clarkson demonstrates why there aren't more three-wheeled cars

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Bentley, Kia, Humor

Click above to view the video after the jump

The long wait is finally over and Top Gear is back for its 15th series of the modern era. We won't spoil all of the fun for those who haven't seen it, but we can say that the premiere was... highly educational. We got a look at the first flex-fuel Bentley and received further confirmation that James May was likely the cause of the Icelandic volcano eruption that shut down European air space for nearly two weeks.

We also saw the new reasonably priced car, a brown Kia Cee'd, get broken in by some British C-listers before the real celebrities start in on it next week.

By far, though, the highlight of the program was the physics lesson from Jeremy Clarkson that demonstrates why there aren't more three-wheeled vehicles in the world. Clarkson set out on a treacherous 14-mile journey in a Reliant Robin to learn whether it's worthwhile to save money on the vehicle registration tax with a three-wheeled conveyance. You'll have to watch for yourself to learn the answer to that question, and since you are undoubtedly a resourceful bunch, we're sure you know where to find the full episode if you don't happen to live in the UK. But if you don't, make the jump for the segment.

Continue reading Video: Clarkson demonstrates why there aren't more three-wheeled cars

Video: Clarkson demonstrates why there aren't more three-wheeled cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen mulling external sales channel for genre-bending GX3

Chris Paukert — Wed, 03 May 2006 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Performance, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Safety, Lotus, Volkswagen

Volkswagen's shocking GX3, the California penned roadster-cum-motorcycle that rocked the Los Angeles Auto Show is likely to shake up the North American car market like few vehicles have in recent years -- provided it's a success. Many other world markets have a goodly number of oddball, small volume vehicles like the GX3 -- Britain and Japan come immediately to mind. But in the U.S., unorthodox offerings have largely been confined to the margins of the market, fringe bets by fringe players. VW's GX3 has the potential to turn that convention on its head.

But if it sees production (as it looks as if it will), the automaker may pick an equally unconventional manner in which to launch the trick trike -- a "junior brand" legally separated from the parent company. According to Automobile Magazine, there are those within the VW fold who "... have concerns about handling, roadholding, and controlability and who question the appeal of the vehicle to U.S. buyers." This has a few around Autoblog Towers thinking that VW is fearful of America's reputation as a sue-happy, litigious people. Given the GX3's minimalist ethos (which brooms such items as air bags, a windshield or electronic aids), this could be a legitimate worry, even if the GX3 is legally classified as a motorcycle. Rumored suspension and steering fiddling by Lotus may go a long way towards convincing sportscar and bike buffs, but the British legend's involvement is unlikely to sway the company's hardnosed legal teams.

If the GX3 is green-lighted, Volkswagen sees the potential for 10,000 units/year and could have examples in dealerships late next year. Of course, it remains to be seen whose flag is flying out front.

Our thoughts? Provided the GX3 is as good as it has the potential to be, our advice to Bernhard's boys is: "If you build it, they will come."

[Source: Automobile Magazine; Volkswagen]

Volkswagen mulling external sales channel for genre-bending GX3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 May 2006 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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