If you were asked to name the company least likely to display a hydrogen powered sports car at the Geneva Motor Show, Morgan is sure to be towards the top of the list.
Best known for making ash-framed roadsters which, in appearance at least, could have roared in from the 1950s, the Malvern based company will display its Life Car concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Based on the existing Aero 8, the Life Car is in fact the progeny of a number of companies, including Oscar Automotive, QinetiQ and Oxford University all working to achieve the common goal of a zero-emissions vehicle that is also fun to drive. Weight, already low thanks to Morgan's traditional ash and aluminium construction materials, has been pared back to a minimum through the use of intelligent design such as seats made of sprung wooden ply covered with leather pads. No details yet on what exactly powers the car but it is described as a "fuel cell hybrid power train" which apparently minimises the cost of the fuel cell application as well as boasting a 200 mile range.
Half the £1.9m funding has been provided by the Department for Trade and Industry. Charles Morgan, the company's design director told CarBodyDesign: ""The real challenge is to design and build a car that is fun to drive - a proper sports car. The use of ultra capacitors to store the surplus energy and then use this for acceleration and braking does promise a dynamic ride, especially when combined with our ultra light chassis. The pairing of weight to a minimum is our strength, and allows a much smaller fuel cell than conventionally thought necessary. This gives energy and yet more weight savings."
Appeared on msn.co.uk
