British and Italian automotive history come together beautifully.
Morgan and Pininfarina are both iconic names in automotive design. The former is known for its sports cars that boast vintage-inspired design, silhouettes, and craftsmanship, and the latter for its extensive portfolio of automotive design masterpieces that have come to define the drama and allure of Italian cars. Morgan and Pininfarina celebrate their combined design heritage and pedigree by unveiling the new Midsummer. The exclusive limited-edition performance car pays homage to coachbuilding and simple driving pleasure.
With only 50 examples of the Midsummer set to be built, the car exemplifies Morgan’s desire to create exclusive runs of limited-edition vehicles, and its craftsmanship is a testament to that ambition. Honoring the rich histories of both Pininfarina and Morgan are its barchetta silhouette and signature anachronistic Morgan aesthetic. However, cutting-edge engineering and technology are also part of the Midsummer’s splendor. This includes a lightweight 19-inch forged wheel weighing only 22 pounds (the target dry weight is only 2,205 pounds), Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires, Morgan’s latest CX bonded aluminum platform, and more.
Powered by a turbocharged six-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Midsummer is the product of what is called “21st-century Coachbuilding.” It involved using hand-beaten aluminum body panels that took over 250 hours to create and the extensive use of CAD software.
A signature Morgan staple is the use of wood in automotive construction, which is visibly present in the new Midsummer. Unlike in other Morgan cars, where it is typically veiled by an aluminum body, the vehicle uses beautifully sculpted teak wood to create a shoulder line and other details. Comprised of 0.6-millimeter-thick layers, the nine teak wood sections take over 30 hours to craft.
The name Midsummer evokes the perfect season for driving the new barchetta vehicle. Its open top and lack of a windshield allow the driver to enjoy the height of summer in a thrilling driving experience. However, it is also named after Midsummer Hill, a geographic location very close to Morgan’s home and integral to the manufacturer’s history, which dates back over 115 years.
Being a joint coachbuilding effort between two of the automotive world’s most historic and revered names, Morgan and Pininfarina’s new Midsummer is the first-ever car to feature a new moniker from Pininfarina, Pininfarina Fuoriserie, which highlights its exclusivity and elevates it from Pininfarina’s typical “Designed by Pininfarina” designation.
All 50 examples of the new Midsummer have been sold to clients, each of whom will have the exclusive opportunity to design their car in close collaboration with Morgan as a true one-off creation. Celebrating 115 years, production on the new Midsummer is set to begin in 2024 and end in 2025, with the public debut of the bespoke vehicle set to take place at another historic and iconic automotive venue: the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Image Source: Morgan Motor Company
