This is the Morgan Plus Six and it is the first all-new Morgan since the Aero 8 was introduced 19 years ago! It
has the classic design of other Morgan models but don’t let that fool you, it
does have some modern-day tech and will be displayed at the Geneva Motor Show.
The most important thing to know about the Morgan
Plus Six is that it isn’t powered by a V8 engine like its predecessor and
instead uses a 3.0-liter straight-six. Not just any straight-six. The Plus Six has
BMW’s B58 turbocharged engine. Yes, that’s the same engine powering the
latest-generation BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra. Power sits at 335 hp and 500 Nm.
Mated to this engine is a ZF eight-speed automatic
transmission which allows the Plus Six to hit 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds
before topping out at 267 km/h. Alongside the use of a powerful
engine and fast-shifting transmission, the Plus Six has a third ingredient that
makes it achieve these figures: weight. More accurately, its lack thereof
as the sports car weighs just 1075 kg. Power is sent through the rear
wheels and, with the exception of ABS, the Morgan Plus Six features no safety
systems. A manual gearbox is on the way.
Underpinning the Morgan Plus Six is a new aluminum
and wooden architecture dubbed CX. Morgan says that this architecture will
underpin many of its future models and that it can support hybrid powertrains,
electric powertrains, select safety systems and even some autonomous driving
technologies.
The Morgan Plus Six incorporates two driving modes,
namely Sport and Sport Plus. However, as the car is quite traditional, these
modes only adjust the response time of the throttle and transmission – no trick
magnetic or hydraulic suspension systems here.
In a world of interiors fast becoming dominated by
massive screens, the Morgan Plus Six’s cabin remains very traditional and
includes a multitude of wooden surfaces. Somewhat hilariously, the modern
automatic shifter found on current BMW models sticks out of the transmission
tunnel like a sore thumb.
Morgan expects to build roughly 300 examples
annually. Prices start at £ 77,995 (US$ 102,668).
