Morgan Motor Company Looks to Electrified Future With XP-1 Development Vehicle

The UK's 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-1’ is an experimental prototype developed over the last 12 months by Morgan’s team of engineers based in Malvern, Worcestershire.

XP-1’s battery, motor and inverter combination represents Morgan’s first powertrain, internal combustion or battery electric.

Its Combined Charging System (CCS) is enabled for fast charging and features bi-directional charging capability.

Further to this, XP-1 is also the first ever Morgan to be fitted with an electronic park brake (EPB).

The prototype is not intended for production but has been created to enhance thinking in several key areas including driving characterisation, powertrain development, in-house EV competence and training, and new feature ideation and testing.

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.

Matt Hole, Chief Technical Officer, Morgan Motor Company, says: “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. 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. We will be relentless in our pursuit of preserving these characteristics for our customers for generations to come. Because it is not tied to a product, XP-1 provides the unique ability for our audience to join us throughout this exciting learning phase, and we look forward to sharing future updates over the coming months.”

Morgan Motor Company has been handcrafting sports cars in the UK since 1909.