Morgan Motor Co. is planning for an electric future and has shared details of a new XP-1 experimental prototype that will act as the forerunner to its future electric sports cars. While not intended for production, the prototype is being developed to enhance the company’s electrification understanding in several key areas including driving characterization, powertrain development, in-house EV competence and training, and new feature “ideation” and testing.

This is a big step for a company that has been handcrafting sports cars since 1909 still characterized by their “analog” driving experience and use of traditional methods and now three core materials: ash wood, aluminum, and leather. Morgan’s model lineup is now comprised of Super 3, Plus Four, and Plus Six.

“As we embark on our electric journey, this prototype will become a focal point of the engineering and design process, providing a wealth of insight and helping to build up our in-house EV capability,” said Matt Hole, Chief Technical Officer, Morgan Motor Co. “We are in no doubt that we can ensure future electric Morgan sports cars retain the core appeal of our current range, meaning they are fun to drive, lightweight, handcrafted, and bespoke.”

Developed over the last 12 months by the company’s team of engineers based in Malvern, Worcestershire, UK, the XP-1 experimental prototype is based on the aluminum platform of the Super 3 introduced in 2022. That model is Morgan’s first clean-sheet design since the launch of the Aero 8 in 2000 and the company’s biggest visual departure since the 1962 Plus 4 Plus.

The XP-1 started off as a “behind-the-scenes” project during the spare time of Morgan electrical engineer Chris Bunn and software engineer Dan Poulter, “but then it moved on and we got asked to spend a bit more time on it,” said Bunn. While the XP-1 is based on a three-wheeled platform, its powertrain can be applied to Morgan’s bigger, four-wheel platform, added Poulter.

The combination of XP-1’s battery, motor, and inverter represents Morgan’s first in-house-developed powertrain including internal combustion engines. The powertrain gives engineers control of calibrations that vary the throttle and regeneration level at different speeds to create a range of driving modes featuring a mix of characteristics.

“The considerations for developing a Morgan EV firstly are to try and keep close to the ethos of the fun of driving a Morgan,” explained Hole. “We want our cars to match the characteristics that the cars have today, so they’re lightweight and a huge amount of fun to drive.”

Key challenges include how the EV systems can be packaged “into a small enough car to realize our kind of low weight,” said Hole. Another main consideration is system cost.

“Morgans at the moment are attainable,” he said. “We need to choose components that can be bought at the right price.”

A full-vehicle toolchain has been created in-house to aid with powertrain development—both for the XP-1 and future Morgan electric models. The company says this is a key element in modeling the compatibility and suitability of a range of powertrain components, calculating the range prediction algorithm, and simulating different scenarios that can help the company to benchmark against future requirements.

Ensuring that future electric Morgan sports cars are lightweight—as they have been throughout the company’s 114-year history—is a key requirement. Working with key partners and using industry-leading components means that XP-1’s weight is comparable to that of the production car on which it is based.

The development vehicle’s CCS (Combined Charging System) enables fast charging and features bi-directional charging capability, two important features that the company says will help to futureproof the company’s EV developments. Related directly to EV requirements, the XP-1 is the first ever Morgan to be fitted with an electronic park brake.

Beyond experimentation with propulsion and charging, XP-1 has allowed Morgan to develop a further understanding of EV design, specifically aerodynamics. The vehicle features front-end improvements and new aerodynamic wheel trims for increased range and efficiency, these experimental modifications resulting in a 33% reduction in its drag coefficient.

The company’s bespoke interior design approach allows for user interface (UI) and display experimentation. XP-1’s display will continually evolve, allowing engineers and designers to gather feedback on how users interact with the vehicle and the best way to communicate key vehicle information in future sports cars. Other experimental UI features include external charge level indicator LEDs surrounding the front cowl.

In conjunction with the XP-1 project, Morgan also begins the extensive process of workforce training and infrastructure adaptation. Due to the company’s coachbuilding production methods, the creation of this internal knowledgebase is vital for the future production of electric sports cars. It will center around workshop readiness to build EVs, training for high-voltage systems handling, and installation of charging infrastructure.

The company will now embark on a testing program during the next 18-24 months, undergoing continual evolution to test new technology and features. It says that as XP-1 evolves, it will take the Morgan community along on the company’s journey to electrification. Enthusiasts can expect periodic updates and to see the vehicle popping up at events, both at Morgan’s factory and elsewhere.