Is it really possible to develop a vehicle with supercar performance that is driven by an electric engine and that won’t require breakdown assistance every 100 miles? British sports car manufacturer Morgan believe it is – or just about. The company is, like so many other high profile car makers – both sports and mainstream – moving into the electric car market.
While traditionally the firm has used BMW 4.8 litre V8 engines, Morgan’s two forthcoming prototypes will be driven by an electric power train developed with Zytek, the British automotive and sports car firm. The new cars’ aluminium chassis will be provided by Birmingham-based Radshape.
Both of the new concept cars will be inspired by Morgan’s existing Aero Supersport, and will be part funded by a £100,000 grant from the Niche Vehicle R&D programme, which was set up to provide assistance to small manufacturers who are looking to take advantage of new technology in forthcoming products.
Zytek already supply their 94bhp powertrains to a raft of US manufacturers, who use them in their production cars. The new motor, unusually, will be joined to a conventional gear-box, which will drive the rear wheel drive chassis – a design feature that has appeared in Morgans over the company’s whole lifetime. Power will be furnished by lithium-ion batteries, housed in the chassis.
Another UK company investing in electric is good news indeed, as is the fact that funding is available to help get such projects on the road. With luck, more small scale car manufacturers will take advantage of the Niche Vehicle R&D programme, helping to create the next generation of British sports and production cars.
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