Morgan Unveils Most Advanced Model Yet, The New Plus Four
Claimed to be the “most revolutionary advancement in the model’s history,” the new Plus Four may look similar, boasting that familiar sleek bodywork as it has done for the past seven decades, but 97 per cent of the componentry is brand new. Including the name, which dispenses with the old ‘Plus 4’ nomenclature.
Underneath the new Plus Four for example lies a bonded, “exponentially more rigid” aluminium ‘CX’ platform that replaces Morgan’s outgoing steel chassis, as confirmed a few months ago. It’s light too, weighing just 97kg, and is also be found at the base of the larger, more powerful Plus Six that debuted last year. And if you were wondering what ‘CX’ stands for, that’s ‘110’ in Roman Numerals. As in ‘110 Years of Morgan.’ Clever.
Mounted to said underpinnings is new double wishbone suspension complete with completely updated mounts, upgraded brakes, and even a couple of contemporary touches like ABS and power steering. Unorthodox perhaps for arguably Britain’s more traditional carmaker, but a move designed to “release a whole new dynamic character” from the Plus Four’s predecessor.
The roadster will be faster too. Up to 65 per cent more sprightly in fact, given that the new, BMW-sourced 2-litre TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder that replaces the aging 2-litre Duratec – becoming the first turbocharged inline four to power a Morgan to-date in the process – produces an impressive 255bhp and 295 lb ft (400Nm) of torque. That’s 101bhp and 94lb ft (252Nm) more than the old model.
Said grunt is sent to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. Just bear in mind that, if you opt for the H-pattern, then torque is reduced by 50Nm (37lb ft) to protect the drivetrain, and the overall weight creeps up by 4kg.
Still, performance shouldn’t be a problem, with the Plus Four tipping the scales at just 1,004kg. Opt for the automatic gearbox, and that will give you a sprint time to the ton of 4.8 seconds (5.2s for the manual).
While traditionalists may baulk at the turbocharging and ABS, there is still sufficient craftsmanship from Morgan to keep the nostrils from flaring, including a hand-made ash frame, hand-beaten aluminium panels and hand-trimmed leather interior. Should customers be on the fence about the silver-painted wire wheels, there are even some 15in alloys available as an optional extra.
Prices start from £62,995 in the UK (around $80,700 USD), though customers eying that automatic transmission will need to dig a little deeper into their pockets for an extra £2K (around $83,200 USD, in total).
*Images courtesy of Morgan Motor Company
