Morgan's Midsummer Dream: A £120k Barchetta Reinvention with Pininfarina
Step into the world of luxury where British heritage meets Italian design prowess, manifesting a masterpiece on wheels - the Morgan Midsummer, crafted in collaboration with Pininfarina. This £120,000 barchetta is not just a vehicle; it's a statement of art, performance, and innovation.
At first glance, the connections to Morgan’s storied past are unmistakable, yet upon closer inspection, every aspect seems reimagined. The standout feature, undeniably, is the lavish use of laminated teak mouldings that grace the cockpit. This exquisite detail not only infuses the interior with character but dramatically alters the exterior silhouette, taking over 30 hours to perfect.
Distancing itself from the pursuit of sheer speed, the Midsummer introduces aerodynamic aero screens, replacing the traditional Morgan flat windscreen. The dashboard and instruments pay homage to Morgan’s heritage while introducing sophisticated new touches that elevate the overall design.
The exterior of the Midsummer presents a familiar yet refreshed appearance. The incorporation of larger round headlights, which now house indicators and daytime-running lights, alongside exclusively designed rear lights, mark significant departures from tradition. The aero-shrouded radiator echoes the legacy of Morgan’s racing lineage, and the bonnet, redefined by Pininfarina, features horizontal air extraction louvres, contributing to a distinctive and evolved design narrative.
Engineering ingenuity extends to the car’s aerodynamics, with strategically designed front and rear wings enhancing performance and aesthetics. Emphasizing the union between form and function, a unique diffuser and hand-formed stainless steel sills underscore the car’s bespoke essence. The tailor-designed wheels, apart from their aesthetic appeal, play a crucial role in maintaining the Midsummer’s sub-1000kg dry weight.
The car’s pièce de résistance - its elegant barchetta tail - serves as a testament to the collaborative genius of Morgan and Pininfarina, marrying Morgan’s iconic front design with a rear that could only be attributed to Pininfarina’s storied automotive catalogue. It’s a creative synergy that aims to propel Morgan’s design ethos towards the future.
The Genesis of the Morgan Midsummer
The conception of the Midsummer project is as enchanting as its outcome, rooted in a series of ‘what if’ brainstorming sessions that spanned from cozy English pubs to the design tables in Italy. This partnership between Morgan and Pininfarina is a celebration of cross-cultural exchange, where traditional craftsmanship meets modern digital design methodologies.
Morgan’s design chief, Jonathan Wells, and Pininfarina’s chief creative officer, Felix Kilbertus, narrate the journey of the Midsummer from initial whimsy to reality. It is a narrative of enthusiasm, creativity, and mutual admiration between two iconic institutions that share a passion for automotive excellence. Midsummer is not just a vehicle; it’s a vision brought to life, a harbinger of Morgan’s future design direction, meticulously crafted to redefine elegance on the road.