MORGAN's reputation is built on tradition but it clearly isn't holding back when it comes to forward thinking.

The company has announced it plans to be one of the first manufacturers to produce a commercial hydrogen fuel-cell car.

Managing director, Charles Morgan, says the company plans to have the Morgan "Life Car" - a hydrogen-fuelled, zero-emissions car with Morgan's wooden-framed body - ready for the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

Intended to prove that zero-emission motoring doesn't have to be boring, artist's impressions of the car show a vehicle similar in shape to Morgan's Aero 8 with aerodynamic fairings covering the wheel arches.

The fuel cell hybrid power-train is being developed in partnership with hi-tech specialists including Cranfield University, QinetiQ, Oxford University and Linde AG and is expected to give the car a 200-mile range.

Effectively a 7-Series with a liquid hydrogen and petrol hybrid engine, it emits only water vapour in hydrogen mode and accelerates to 62mph in 9.5 seconds before reaching a 143mph top speed.