Morgan Plans Three-Wheeler Sports Car for U.S.

The Morgan Motor Co. plans to introduce its retro-styled three-wheeled sports car in the American market later this year.

CEO Charles Morgan tells Edmunds Inside Line the two-seater will be offered through three dealers. The Morgan 3 Wheeler, inspired by vehicles the British company made between 1911 and 1955, weighs about 1,200 lbs. A nose-mounted 2.0-liter engine makes 80 hp and can accelerate the rear-drive car from zero to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds.

Morgan sells the British version of the car for $40,700 in England. The company has not announced pricing for America or indicated a sales target. Morgan notes that the 3 Wheeler's low production volume exempts it from many U.S. government regulations.

Inside Line reports that the car will be sold through a dealership in Seattle and probably one each somewhere in California and the East Coast.

Morgan also hand-builds several variants of two retro-styled four-wheeled sports cars the Aero and Roadster at its factory in Malvern, Worcestershire. The company hopes to eventually expand its U.S. lineup with its Plus 8, a sports car powered by a 4.8-liter, 367-hp V-8 engine from BMW AG.