Morgan 3 Wheeler

British car maker Morgan has taken the wraps off its new 3 Wheeler, a classically-styled two-seater vehicle powered by a high-performance V-twin engine

The bullet-shaped Morgan 3 Wheeler has been officially revealed ahead of its first public showing at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland.

Morgan, a 100-year-old British car maker, has moved sideways from making cars and back into the trike market, showing off a classically-designed trike that features modern-day technology.

The new 3 Wheeler pays homage to Morgan's first production model built in 1911, a single-seat three-wheeler vehicle powered by a V-twin engine, and retains the vintage styling of the era.

The modern day interpretation of the Morgan 3 Wheeler has been priced at £25,000, which is about $40,000, and is powered by a 115hp (85kW) fuel-injected V-twin X-Wedge engine built by specialist engine group S&S. It has enough torque for "effortless hillclimbing" according to Morgan.

The gearbox is a five-speed manual from the Mazda MX-5 which delivers "Get in and drive convenience with the thrill of extreme performance," says Morgan.

The vehicle has been approved by US and European transport authorities and there are plans to sell the vehicle in both regions, though we've had no word on an Australian distributor.

Offering seating for two, the open air trike has three-point seatbelts, classic aviation-style instruments and a premium leather interior. Optional paint schemes include the RAF (see photos) and US military overlays, and there are also solid colours.

Morgan says the 3 Wheeler's low centre of gravity and light weight ensure excellent handling dynamics, not to mention the fact that the chassis was developed in tandem with the upcoming Morgan EvaGT sports car.

Check out Morgan3Wheeler.co.uk for the official site.