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Morgan and Pininfarina Unveil Midsummer: A Celebration of Coachbuilding and Timeless Style

In a harmonious fusion of heritage and innovation, Morgan Motor Company and Pininfarina S.p.A. proudly present Midsummer, a limited series special project celebrating over two centuries of coachbuilding excellence.

The Midsummer barchetta design pays homage to the iconic European coachwork style while showcasing the timeless silhouette flexibility of Morgan vehicles. Crafted on the latest Morgan CX-Generation Bonded Aluminium platform, each Midsummer boasts a turbocharged six-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, ensuring a dynamic driving experience.

Central to Midsummer’s allure is the sensory connection it fosters between occupants and machine, achieved through its distinctive style and character. Encapsulating this connection is the exterior’s remarkable use of sustainable teak wood, meticulously laminated to create sculpted wood structures surrounding the cockpit and defining a distinctive shoulder line.

Crafted by hand, each aluminium body panel demands over 250 hours of meticulous labour, a testament to the dedication of Morgan’s skilled artisans. Collaborative efforts between Morgan and Pininfarina’s designers and engineers have resulted in a final design that is both surprising and unique.

Limited to just 50 units, all of which have been eagerly claimed by customers following exclusive preview sessions, Midsummer marks a milestone in automotive craftsmanship. Each vehicle is adorned with the “Pininfarina Fuoriserie” badge, a first for a production car, signifying its exceptional status.

Massimo Fumarola, CEO of Morgan Motor Company, expressed pride in Midsummer, stating, “We are incredibly proud to unveil Midsummer, a limited series special project that celebrates two centuries of coachbuilding and embodies the core values of Morgan. It represents the pinnacle of our talented workforce’s craftsmanship.”

Giuseppe Bonollo, SVP Sales & Marketing of Pininfarina, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Together with Morgan, we are proud to lead the coachbuilding movement. This extraordinary collaboration brings together Morgan’s century-old bodybuilding philosophy with Pininfarina’s nearly 95 years of tradition in designing and crafting bespoke vehicles.”

Midsummer’s design journey was marked by intense collaboration, with designers and engineers from both companies working closely to translate shared ideals into reality. The result is a masterpiece that seamlessly blends Morgan’s rich heritage with Pininfarina’s timeless design language.

From its striking exterior to its meticulously crafted interior, Midsummer embodies the essence of automotive excellence. With its limited production and unparalleled craftsmanship, Midsummer promises to become a coveted collector’s item, cherished by enthusiasts for generations to come

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Aspark SP600

In a landmark achievement, the Aspark SP600, a production intent prototype hypercar, has become the world’s fastest electric hypercar, clocking a remarkable top speed of 438.7kph. This record-breaking feat was realized through the dedicated efforts of Manifattura Automobili Torino (M.A.T.) in collaboration with tire specialist Bridgestone and driven by professional racer Marc Basseng.

A Vision Realized

The Aspark SP600’s journey to this historic moment began with the vision of Aspark CEO Masanori Yoshida, whose company had previously set benchmarks with the Aspark Owl, renowned as the fastest accelerating electric hypercar. For this new project, Aspark once again partnered with M.A.T., entrusting them with the development and manufacturing of a hypercar capable of shattering the world top speed record for electric vehicles.

Collaboration and Innovation

To achieve this extraordinary speed, M.A.T. sought the expertise of Bridgestone to develop a custom-engineered tire. Bridgestone rose to the challenge with bespoke Potenza Race tires designed specifically for the SP600, ensuring they could handle speeds exceeding 420kph while managing the vehicle’s weight and driving dynamics.

The SP600 underwent rigorous testing at M.A.T.’s headquarters in Torino, Italy. This included extensive virtual and physical evaluations, wind tunnel validation, and numerous track testing sessions. M.A.T. meticulously handled the vehicle’s complete development, from powertrain and software integration to suspension and chassis design, as well as software calibration and the bespoke battery’s design and production.

Record-Breaking Achievement

On June 8th, during the second attempt of the day at Automotive Testing Papenburg, Marc Basseng flawlessly piloted the Aspark SP600 to its record-breaking speed of 438.7kph. This achievement was precisely measured using the certified Racelogic V-Box, a high-precision GPS-based device provided by the ATP proving ground.

The event was attended and supported by numerous marketing and premium partners, including the Supercar Owner Circle, who backed the attempt from its inception. Key executives from Aspark, M.A.T., and Bridgestone were present to witness this monumental accomplishment.

Statements from Key Figures

Masanori Yoshida, Aspark CEO: “It has been about 10 years since we started making the OWL Hypercar. We aimed for the world’s Fastest Acceleration car, and then attempted and achieved the top speed world record today. This technical capability inspires all involved to personal excellence and to challenge and grow in leaps and bounds into the future.”

Steven De Bock, Bridgestone VP EMEA Sales and Original Equipment:
“It was a big excitement on this first attempt for the record, which we immediately saw the potential of the cooperation between the car and tires. The whole team at Bridgestone worked extremely hard to deliver this project in such a short period, another testimonial of our technical capabilities and how we cooperate with our partners.”

Paolo Garella, M.A.T. CEO and Founder:
“This record represents a milestone in the continued growth of M.A.T., a company that today represents the best of the Italian tradition in the automotive industry. In 10 years, we have developed more than 11 full vehicle projects and we have demonstrated that with the right resources we are second to none. I am very proud of my team and also extremely happy to reach this milestone in the anniversary of the 10 years of foundation of M.A.T. A special thank you to Aspark’s CEO Mr. Masanori Yoshida for his vision, support, and trust in M.A.T., and to the Bridgestone team for taking on the challenge and supporting with their most advanced technology this record attempt.”

Exclusive Interview with Riccardo Garella

In an exclusive interview, Riccardo Garella, Sales and Marketing Manager at M.A.T., provided insights into the development process of the Aspark Owl. Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel here.

This historic achievement not only sets a new benchmark in the electric hypercar segment but also underscores the capabilities and potential of electric vehicles in pushing the boundaries of speed and performance.