Morgan Motor Company has shared details of a new development vehicle that will act as the forerunner to all future electric Morgan sports cars. The XP-1is an experimental prototype which will provide key information to the engineers and designers at Morgan as they embark on creating the company’s first production EVs. Developed over the last 12 months by Morgan’s team of engineers based in Malvern, Worcestershire, XP-1 is based on Super 3’s aluminium platform.
Following 12 months of design and build, XP-1 will now embark on a comprehensive testing programme during the next 18-24 months, undergoing continual evolution to test new technology and features. The prototype is not intended for production but has been created to develop and understanding of driving characterisation, powertrain development, in-house EV competence and training, and new feature ideation and testing.
“We are immensely proud to be sharing XP-1 with the world and showcasing some of the first-class engineering that takes place behind the scenes at Morgan,” said Matt Hole, Chief Technical Officer, Morgan Motor Company. “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. 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.”
In bringing the XP-1 project to fruition, 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 Morgan sports cars, and will centre around workshop readiness to build EVs, training for high voltage systems handling and installation of charging infrastructure.
