Against Morgan's backdrop of making traditional, wartime-styled sports cars, the new EV3 is by far the firm's most madcap creation – an all-electric version of the cult icon three-wheeler the company introduced a few years back.
It was seen in pre-production form at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, when we were told Morgan's new baby "looks at the world of zero emissions motoring from an entirely different perspective". It's a small, unique and desirable thing thanks to its curious outlook and badge pedigree.
Importantly, the EV3 also represents a great deal of fun. Its petrol-powered counterpart "gets back to the very essence of what enjoying a drive is all about", says Evo, and while the EV3 will be the slower of the two three-wheelers, with a claimed 0-62mph in nine seconds and a top speed carefully listed as "in excess of 90mph", it should be equally riotous with proper wind-in-the-hair and flies in your face antics on tap.
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Power is supplied by a 20kWh battery pack sending drive to the single rear wheel. Range on a single charge is said to be up to 150 miles and it's rated at around 61bhp, which is tiny. The EV3 is a tiny thing though, tipping the scales at just around half a tonne.
That kerb weight is achieved through the introduction of new bodywork materials – new, at least, by Morgan's standards. It's the company's first vehicle to make use of carbon composite body panels, but it makes use of aluminium too. The bodywork still uses a trademark wooden frame to hold it in place, however.
While the EV3 is not set to launch until later this year, the very first run ones to go on sale have been revealed.
The run will consist of 19 cars called the 1909 Edition, created to celebrate Morgan's founding in, you guessed it, 1909. Not shy of a tie up, Selfridges, which also has its roots planted firmly in that era, has come along for the ride.
These first cars will be no more powerful than the normal EV3s that will follow, but come with a few extra perks, as well as a much higher price tag.
For starters, the car sprouts a second eye at the front – normal models get only the one headlamp mounted above the brass conductive cooling fins sneaking out of the front. There's also a pair of new exclusive wheels up front that we haven't seen before, inspired by some of the land speed record cars of the 1930s, plus bronze interior detailing.
The Selfridges part of the deal consists of a set of designer driving gear: a Globetrotter trunk for the luggage rack, a pair of Linda Farrow driving goggles, two jackets – one tweed from Richard James plus a waxed Belstaff number - Dents leather driving gloves, an Alexander McQueen scarf, shoes, a soft leather helmet and a waterproof overall.
The EV3 is set to be available only through Selfridges itself, priced from £52,500 - much higher than expected for the standard EV3, which Morgan has said will be comparable with the petrol-powered version, which starts at £25,950.
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