All New Morgan Plus Four
While the rest of the world gets tweaked about electric this and battery that, here comes Morgan with… a
new engine. Which has absolutely no kind of hybrid assistance. Kind of refreshing, when you think about
it. Also: an aluminium chassis.
If you’re a keen follower of the goings on in Malvern, you might recognise this template from the Plus
Six that was launched last year as a replacement for the Plus 8. Well, this is the new Plus Four, a
replacement for the Plus 4 (numerals for old cars, spelled out words for the new ones) and 97 per cent
new. Same basic CX-Generation aluminium chassis as the Six which, if you speak Roman numerals, you might
realise celebrates 110 years of Morgan production.
There are differences between Plus Six and Plus Four – the latter has different corner packaging to allow
for smaller wire wheels, and is 78mm narrower overall. The 97kg chassis is bonded aluminium (a la
Lotus), with the bodywork supported by an ash frame (there’s the wood). Suspension is by double
wishbones all round.
The major difference between the two cars is, as you’ve probably guessed, the engine. While the Plus Six
uses BMW’s straight six turbo, the Plus Four makes do with a 2.0-litre four cylinder. Which doesn’t
sound that exciting until you realise it only weighs 1,009kg and the motor in question is BMW’s single
turbo unit that develops 255bhp and 295lb ft. Now, for the Plus Four, this is a big step up – the old
car had an ancient Ford four cylinder and a Mazda gearbox – the new one has 65 per cent more power and
torque, yet also emits 30 per cent less CO2. As far as improvements on outgoing models go, this must be
unbeaten in the whole car industry. The claims are 40.4mpg and 159g/km on the WLTP cycle.
The numbers that probably matter more to you are 4.8secs and 149mph. That’s for the eight-speed
automatic. The six-speed manual is heavier (yes, if only by 4kg), and is only given 258lb ft to cope
with. Its 0-62mph is 5.2secs. Prices for the latter start at £62,995, with the auto being £2,000
more.
But that’s not all. Standard equipment includes remote central locking, ABS brakes, power steering and
sun visors. You lucky people. For a bit extra you can even have a Bluetooth stereo. But let’s not be too
harsh. You don’t buy a Morgan to connect to the modern world, you buy it to escape from it.
CONTACT WILLIAMS MORGAN TODAY TO FIND OUT MORE OR TO PLACE YOUR ORDER1