MORGAN said it would invest 1.4 million from the British Technical Strategy Committee in the MagMog magnesium alloy chassis research project. Magnesium is 30% less dense than aluminium. It is not only the eighth richest element on the planet, but also has the advantages of lightweight, strong and non-deformable. Once the research is successful, it will be the lightest metal material at present.
MORGAN, a British handicraft sports car manufacturer, has built a new four-seat double-door sports car EvaGT with Aero Supersports chassis, which was officially premiered at the Peble Beach auto show in August 2010, and is scheduled to launch the EvaGT mass-produced model at the Geneva auto show in March this year. Recently, MORGAN said that due to the investment in the development of magnesium alloy technology, EvaGT mass-produced vehicles will have to be delayed until the 2014 Geneva auto exhibition.
With the success of the MagMog research project, MORGAN expects to apply magnesium alloy technology to EvaGT mass-produced vehicles. EvaGT, published last year at Pebble Beach Motor Show, uses aluminium alloy to build body panels and chassis. It weighs 1250 kg and carries a 3.0L straight-six twin-swirl turbocharged engine that provides 306 maximum horsepower and 400 cow-meter peak torsion. MORGAN pointed out that although delays in listing plans were not desirable, magnesium alloys would be expected to replace existing aluminium alloy bodywork, and EvaGT, which is safer, lighter and more sensitive, would continue to be at the forefront of the times.