Morgan and Pininfarina create the stunning Midsummer
Only 50 examples will be built - and yes, they’ve all been sold.
Morgan and Pininfarina have collaborated and used the two centuries of coachbuilding experience between them to create the stunning Midsummer. The goal was to reinterpret the Morgan silhouette and take inspiration from the European Barchetta open-top body style in manufacturing a modern classic. Morgan says the “exposed style and sensory character give Midsummer’s occupants a greater level of connection to machine and surroundings.”
The collaboration between Morgan and Pininfarina emerged due to Morgan’s desire to create more limited-run specials based on its CX-Genaration Bonded Aluminium Platform, a six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and eight-speed automatic transmission first used on the Plus Six in 2019.
More than 250 hours were dedicated to hand beating the aluminium panels to create the body. This was combined with more than 400 individual layers of sustainably sourced teak used to make the exposed wooden structures surrounding the cabin. The structures are one of the defining elements of the barchetta style and give it that classic look, the sort of look that Pininfarina used to create in the 1930s and 1940s. ‘Barchetta’ is Italian for ‘little boat’ and while it is unmistakably a signature Morgan from the front with its new signature headlights flanking the horseshoe grille, the wooden design cues and leather interior finish from the Midsummer are certainly similar to that of the luxury speedboats you’d see on the Italian Riviera.
Also featured in the interior are analogue dials, all handmade in the UK exclusively for this project. The steering wheel has been re-sculpted and features a solid forged aluminium centre while the Midsummer also benefits from an enhanced Sennheiser audio system.
The Midsummer sits on lightweight 19-inch forged wheels which weigh just 10kg - 3kg lighter than the 19 inch wheels on the Plus Six. This contributes to the weight of the whole car sitting under 1000kg.
The Pininfarina Fuoriserie emblem has been applied to the side of the Midsummer just behind the front wheels. ‘Fuoriserie’ means ‘out of series’ and is the first time it has been applied to a production car, with Pininfarina typically going with the ‘Design by Pininfarina’ emblem. This demonstrates the unique creation that is the Midsummer.
Jonathan Wells, Chief Design Officer, Morgan Motor Company, said: “Midsummer demonstrates the flexibility of the Morgan silhouette, presenting a vehicle that is striking in its appearance and unmistakably a Morgan. A celebration of coachbuilding that combines the expertise, story and creativity of both Morgan and Pininfarina in delivering a seamless balance of tradition and progression.
“Midsummer – whilst also being Morgan’s first exterior-form collaboration – represents a significant milestone in our product design history. Our product portfolio offers an intriguing diversity; from the elegance of Plus Four and Six to the adventurous Super 3 and CX-T. As we look towards broader visual experimentation across our model range – it has been an enriching experience to collaborate with Pininfarina, who’s teams have challenged our thinking and introduced new ideas in line with our design journey.”
Felix Kilbertus, Chief Creative Officer, Pininfarina, said: “The design of the Midsummer is the product of an immersive journey between two brands, building on the essence of Morgan's DNA, encompassing its centenary heritage, company culture and a remarkable community of passionate devotees. This endeavour was also a rare and unique opportunity to investigate our own past with the fresh eyes of a new generation of designers, and to rediscover our company’s very origins in coachbuilding. While Pininfarina’s spirit of constantly looking forward is most manifest in the aerodynamic solutions directing airflow over the cabin or in the functional ventilation elements, the innate sculptural sensitivity of the Italian tradition shapes the low and essential silhouette, producing a beautifully surfaced and sensationally proportioned roadster, celebrating the ideal of light-hearted motoring.”
Only 50 Midsummer will be produced and, as is the case with the vast majority of these special editions, have all already been sold. Each customer will have the opportunity to consult with Morgan’s designers to tailor the car to their specifications with production beginning this year and running in 2025 - Morgan’s 115th year. There will be the opportunity to see the debut appearance of the Midsummer at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Morgan Motor Company
