Originally founded back in 1910, the Morgan Motor Company is an automotive manufacturer steeped in history, with the boutique British firm’s contemporary vehicles taking obvious inspiration from its 1920s and ‘30s era models. And while churning out antique-looking rides backed by modern performance has been Morgan’s MO for several decades now, the company is now embracing the modern era — albeit in its own uniquely-Morgan way — with the release of the all-new Morgan Supersport.
Out With The Wood, In With The Aluminum
While Morgan famously built its frames from timber for many years, the Supersport doesn’t maintain this tradition. Instead, the new roadster is constructed around a bonded aluminum space frame chassis dubbed the CXV platform. Offering better rigidity than the CX, the new frame comes paired with a double wishbone suspension setup that can be upgraded with an available Dynamic Handling Pack that steps things up with Nitron single-way adjustable dampers. Successor to the Plus Six, the car rides on 18” x 8.5” Superlite wheels in front and 19” x 8.5” Superlite units in the rear — both wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 5 rubber. Morgan gives the option to upgrade the Superlite rims to more premium 19-inch forged aluminum Aerolite wheels.
British-Built, Bavarian-Powered
At the turn of the millennium, Morgan approached BMW in order to get the Bavarian brand to supply engines for its then-flagship Aero 8. This ultimately kicked off a 25-year partnership that continues to this day, as BMW is responsible for supplying the Supersport with its BMW B58 TwinPower Turbo engine. Cranking out 335hp and 369ft-lbs of torque, the blown 3.0-liter inline-six sends power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. It’s also been fitted with an adaptive sport exhaust system, and can be optioned with a limited-slip differential.
Antique Styling Becomes A Neo-Retro
While its engine and running gear are no doubt noteworthy, our favorite aspect of the new Supersport has got to be its body design. It’s still instantly recognizable as being a Morgan, and the car still boasts a ton of retro influence, while at the same time appearing thoroughly modern with its array of LED lighting, integrated indicators, and distinctive flowing lines. Out front, you get bug-eye circular headlights housing LED beams, while the rear features an open drop tail fitted with an interior diffuser surrounding LED taillights and dual exhaust pipes.
Old-World Techniques, Done More Sustainably
In typical Morgan fashion, the Supersport’s bodywork is meticulously handcrafted over a traditional ash wood frame. This old-world technique is used on aluminum — 60% of which is sourced from recycled content. The Supersport can be capped off with a standard folding mohair soft top for a more traditional open-air experience, or fitted with an interchangeable carbon composite hard top for those seeking better rigidity, handling, and overall performance.
A Thoroughly Updated Interior
Just like the outside of the car, the Supersport’s cabin is a thoroughly modern affair that benefits from dozens of contemporary creature comforts and pieces of tech. Trimmed in Scottish leather upholstery and decked out in wood, the interior has been treated to a Sennheiser audio system, a wireless charging pad, and more storage space behind the seats. Speaking of storage, you also get a separate glovebox, a little trunk, and an available luggage rack.
Measurements & Manufacturing
In total, the car spans 161.8” in length and features a 99.2-inch wheelbase. The whole thing tips the scales at under 2,600lbs too. Just like every other Morgan vehicle in modern history, the Supersport will be built entirely by hand by a team of craftsmen and artisans at Morgan’s Pickersleigh Road facilities in Malvern.
Why We Love It
Morgan has always been rooted in history, so we love to see the company stay true to its established style and design language, while taking a big step into the modern era. Though we haven’t gotten any seat time — at least not yet… — it’s hard to imagine the Supersport isn’t an absolute pleasure to drive. And, while it may not be a Lotus, Morgan’s new Supersport nonetheless takes a page out of Colin Chapman’s playbook by “simplifying and adding lightness.” Rather than bestowing the thing with an insanely powerful engine or electric powertrain, Morgan instead gave it a solid BMW engine with respectable power figures, and then has made the most of the Bavarian mill by keeping the roadster’s weight to a minimum.
Spec Sheet
Brand: Morgan Motor Company
Model: Supersport
Engine: Turbocharged 3.0L Straight-Six
Max Horsepower: 335HP
Max Torque: 369FT-LBs
0-60MPH Time: 3.9 Seconds
Top Speed: 166MPH
Wheelbase: 99.2”
Overall Length: 161.8”
Weight: 2,579.4LBs
Starting MSRP: £85,000 (~ $110,100)
Pricing & Availability
Expected to hit UK dealerships starting in April, the Morgan Motor Company Supersport has been priced starting from £85,000 (~ $110,100).
Recap
Morgan Motor Company Supersport Roadster
The Morgan Motor Company rolls out its successor to the Plus Six with the markedly more modern and markedly more high-performance Supersport — a BMW-engined roadster that sees the boutique brand’s signature styling updated for the digital age.
