Richard Hammond makes feelings clear on impending petrol and diesel car ban – ‘I think there’s no doubt’
Richard Hammond has praised the development of a new British-made car as he commented on the future of petrol and diesel cars on the road across the UK.
At a launch event hosted at the brand’s Malvern factory in Worcestershire, Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter Richard Hammond unveiled the new Supersport model.
Hammond described the Morgan factory in Malvern as one of his “favourite car-related places in the world” as he gushed over the new flagship Supersport.
The petrol-powered Supersport will start from £85,000 and will grab the attention of car enthusiasts with an “almost limitless” combination of colourways and options.
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Matthew Hole, managing director of Morgan, said the brand had received a lot of interest and orders from North America, adding that there was a “real sense of excitement” in the Morgan factory.
The Supersport is already being built in the Malvern factory, with Hole explaining that, despite having thousands of visitors to the plant every year, they had put screens up to hide the development.
He confirmed that they were being “hidden in plain sight”, with the Morgan Supersport expected in dealerships from April.
Hole added: “Supersport marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Morgan – a flagship that reflects the spirit and confidence of our brand today.
“More than just a sports car, Supersport is a testament to the dedication and passion of our small but exceptional team of engineers, designers, and craftspeople.
“Every Morgan carries an inherent honesty, and Supersport is no exception—crafted with care, built to be bespoke, and designed to deliver something increasingly rare in today’s world: pure, undiluted driving joy.”
Another comment asked whether Morgan could continue to make vehicles with a six-cylinder petrol engine “forever”.
Matthew Hole said if the Government would let them make the petrol models forever, they would. He added: “We believe our customers tell us that they want an internal combustion engine Morgan.
“We do it in an incredibly sustainable way, I think. So, for as long as we can, we will. But we do have one eye on the future, and eventually, we will have an electric Morgan.”
In response, Hammond said: “But I think there’s no doubt the future will encompass every single option, it won’t be only electric, it won’t only be internal combustion.
“It’ll be all manner of things, it’ll be manner of things and it’s going to be exciting and great, and this [the Morgan Supersport] will be part of it.”
Chief design officer Jonathan Wells explained how it had been in development for three years, adding that the Supersport will provide drivers with an “unforgettable experience”.
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Reacting to a comment about whether he was planning to buy one, Richard Hammond said: “I’ve hardly ever managed to leave here without being tempted. So, almost certainly, yes. Can’t resist.”