NEW MORGAN SUPERSPORT: IS THERE A BETTER HANDBUILT MOTORCAR THAN THIS?
MORGAN TAKES THE WRAPS OFF THEIR NEW FLAGSHIP.
New Morgan Supersport
For over a century, Morgan has remained a bastion of handcrafted British motoring by seamlessly melding tradition with a great big dose of modernity. Now though, with the unveiling of the new Morgan Supersport, the Worcestershire-based manufacturer presents its boldest interpretation of this ethos yet. A successor to the Plus Six, this new flagship offers customers a more contemporary aesthetic, a more refined dynamic and even more usability, all while retaining that analogue charm which has made Morgan a cult favourite among driving purists.
In view of the above, the Supersport is still unmistakably a Morgan though – long bonnet, sweeping wings and low-slung stance continue to echo the brand’s timeless designs dating back to the 1930s. But look closer and you’ll notice a more sculpted, aerodynamically refined and appealing body over the outgoing Pus Six. For me, the proportions look sharper and the functional elements like vents and lighting are now more integrated, especially around the rear.
A defining feature of the new Supersport has to be its interchangeable roof system, a first for Morgan. Buyers can swap between a lightweight carbon composite hard top or stick with the traditional mohair soft top, which transforms the car’s persona between a refined close-contact coupé and a wind-in-your-hair, big country roadster.
And the innovations don’t stop there either as the Supersport tackles an issue that modern drivers often take for granted - boot space. Previously, all Morgan's relied on whatever room was left behind the seats and the rear bulkhead for stowing luggage, but now, for the first time in a long time, we have a dedicated boot. Granted, it’s more suited to weekend bags than grand touring trunks, but even this modest addition significantly enhances the Supersport’s practicality, making it a far more usable companion for extended road trips.
Underpinning the Supersport is Morgan’s CXV aluminium platform, an evolution of the CX platform that debuted in 2019. It delivers an increase of 10% in torsional rigidity over its predecessor and that rises to 20% with the hardtop fitted, which is bound to please the Morgan aficionados among us by improving the already incredible handling precision without sacrificing any of the lightweight agility it is known for.
Still at its heart lies BMW’s B58 turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, producing a sumptuous 335bhp and 500Nm of torque. Mated to their ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, the Supersport will still deliver effortless performance, achieving a reported 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds before topping out at 166mph. While outright speed has never been the core appeal of a Morgan, this blend of power and poise ensures the Supersport ticks the ‘thrilling, yet refined, driving experience’ box.
Suspension upgrades include front and rear anti-roll bars as standard, improving composure through the bends. A Dynamic Handling Pack with adjustable Nitron dampers and a Limited-Slip Differential is available for those seeking more precise control over their driving experience. The suspension setup strikes a fine option for the driver, between comfort and performance, offering a compliant ride for longer journeys while maintaining a sharper option for those times when a spirited drive is in order.
Additionally, weight distribution has been carefully calibrated to ensure optimal balance. Morgan’s engineers have focused on keeping the Supersport’s centre of gravity low, contributing further to its dynamic agility. The car’s low weight - around 1,200kg - also plays a crucial role in its responsiveness and driver engagement, allowing it to feel nimble and precise without any unnecessary electronic intervention.
Morgan’s dedication to 21st-century coachbuilding extends beyond its chassis and drivetrain. Inside, the Supersport embraces contemporary convenience without straying far from the brand’s handcrafted roots. The cabin is awash with natural materials, from the finest Scottish leather to lacquered ash wood accents, all meticulously finished by Morgan’s engineers at its Pickersleigh Road headquarters. Every detail, from the precision stitching on the seats to the hand-finished wooden trim, will be a testament to Morgan’s unwavering commitment to artisanry.
Newly designed door cards take inspiration from mid-century audio equipment, featuring Morgan’s signature ‘louvred’ speaker grilles integrated into decorative wooden panels. The Sennheiser audio system, hands-free Bluetooth and wireless smartphone charging discreetly bring the Supersport into the digital age while maintaining a minimalist, clutter-free dashboard. As is the ethos with Morgan, the combination of analogue dials and modern digital elements strikes a perfect balance between classic aesthetics and contemporary usability.
Speaking of which, the Supersport introduces a new digital driver display, which provides essential vehicle data while retaining an analogue-inspired appearance, and the driving position remains characteristically low-slung and engaging, with a small-diameter steering wheel that enhances feedback.
While Morgan has traditionally been defined in more analogue units in the past, the Supersport takes a more engineered approach to performance these days. A rear diffuser, revised front splitter and extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) testing has resulted in a 5% reduction in drag and a 20% reduction in lift compared to its predecessors.
This newfound aerodynamic efficiency, coupled with Michelin Pilot Sport 5’s, ensures greater stability at high speeds and improved road holding across varied conditions.
Morgan has also introduced its lightest wheels ever, with an optional forged 19-inch ‘Aerolite’ wheel weighing just 9.7kg per corner - a significant reduction in unsprung mass that will help to enhance responsiveness and ride quality.
As is the way these days, the Supersport also signals Morgan’s commitment to sustainability because approximately 60% of the aluminium used in its chassis and bodywork comes from recycled sources and the Scottish leather used in the interior is a by-product of the food and agricultural industries, meaning this careful selection of materials highlights Morgan’s consideration for environmental impact.
Expect prices to start around the £100k mark for one of the most compelling offerings in the modern automotive landscape.
