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Morgan Supersport: A new modern flagship from days gone by

[Credit: All photos courtesy of Morgan Motor Co.]

 

 

At 115 years old, very British specialty carmaker Morgan Motor Co. has a new flagship vehicle: the two-door Supersport that blends old and new technology and design into a beautiful road-going mash-up. With a 330-hp BMW B58 TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine, Nitron dampers, optional limited-slip differential, AC, soft and hard tops, and even a hands-free phone system with active noise-canceling, it's a highly evolved ride ready to conquer hill and dale -- at a surprising price too.

The new rear-wheel-drive Supersport roadster is truly evolutionary from the company's modern Plus Four or Plus Six models. It is more purposefully aerodynamic, more contemporary, and more usable overall for modern driving. The evolved silhouette features lifted volumes in the front and rear wings. It boasts flowing aluminum bodywork that masks much of its technical underpinnings. Each aluminum body panel is hand-formed by artisans over an ash wood frame. The car comes in both left- and right-hand drive.

Overall, Supersport's new design is more aerodynamically efficient than previous six-cylinder models, according to Morgan Motor. Designers used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology to influence the design surfacing and underbody, which resulted in a 5% reduction in drag, a 20% reduction in lift, and improved aerodynamic balance.

From the front, Supersport's distinctive front splitter neatly integrates with the brand's familiar "horseshoe" cowl. Finished in dark matte grey, the splitter is framed by two "overriders" situated in the upper corners, which are a refreshed interpretation of traditional overriders, prominent on period Morgan sports cars. Integrated 8-in. LED headlights house the front indicators, further reducing the requirement for additional lighting pods.

In profile, Supersport's new shoulder line is immediately apparent. Created by a raised door height and lifted tail, the shoulder line adds a third line to the timeless silhouette that can trace its origins back to the first four-wheeled Morgan in 1936.

From the rear, Supersport's dramatic sweeping tail and boot are most evident. LED rear lights and reflectors sit within the rear diffuser, ensuring the rear wings remain uninterrupted. The centrally mounted fog and reverse lights remain almost invisible when not in use, and are flanked by the vehicle's twin exhaust pipes.

The car rides on an updated, lightweight CXV aluminum platform first introduced in 2019 in the company's Plus Six roadster. This platform has been designed to further utilize the performance of the BMW engine connected to a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox. The use of a BMW engine within the company's range-topping model continues a successful 25-year partnership between the two companies that began with the Aero 8 in 2000. The car boasts a 0- to 62-mph time of 3.9 sec!

The enhanced platform weighs just 102 kg (225 lb), including front and rear subframes, and delivers an overall increase of 10% torsional rigidity to the vehicle, which is increased by a further 10% when the optional carbon fiber hard top is fitted. Certain suspension mounting points benefit from an almost 100% increase in rigidity, for a more predictable vehicle response. Also, a new steering system, which features revised steering shaft routing, has been honed to enhance steering feedback and response. This is paired with an increased steering speed of 13% over the outgoing six-cylinder model.

The new suspension setup delivers a compliant ride alongside improved body control. The revised suspension geometry combined with front and rear anti-roll bars as standard provide a level of handling sophistication beyond any previous Morgan sports car. An optional Dynamic Handling Pack, which features adjustable front and rear Nitron dampers, has valving and spring rates that have been tuned specifically for Supersport to provide optimum performance. Twenty-four clicks of damping adjustment allow the driver to refine the ride to his or her own taste. This, when coupled with the optional limited-slip differential, helps to further transform the vehicle's dynamic capabilities.

Two new wheel designs represent the lightest alloy wheels Morgan has ever created. A new standard 18-in. flow-formed aluminum Superlite wheel weighs just 10.8 kg (24 lb) per corner. Optional 19-in. forged aluminum Aerolite wheels weigh just 9.7 kg (21.4 lb) per corner, a significant reduction in unsprung mass compared to the Multispoke wheels (which weigh 13.8 kg or 30.4 lb per corner) that have featured on previous models. Each wheel is fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires selected for their wet weather grip and enhanced driver feedback.

The new Supersport is presented in two distinct guises thanks to its interchangeable carbon composite hard top and mohair folding roof. Weighing just 19.7 kg (43 lb), the removable hard top is finished in matching body color paint. The hard top is fitted with a large, curved glass rear screen that floods the cabin with light. The folding mohair soft top transforms Supersport into a stripped-back convertible.

This car is also the first new Morgan to feature a boot (trunk) in more than a decade. Operated using the remote central locking key, it provides ample room for sidescreen stowage and overnight bags.

Inside, new door panels, which have been restyled alongside the taller door tops, take inspiration from mid-century audio equipment and house Morgan's signature louvered speaker grille, framed by a decorative wooden panel. Available in a choice of 11 different finishes, from engineered marquetry to traditional walnut, the wood on the door panel coordinates with the center console and lower dash rail. The finest Scottish leather is used sparingly within the cockpit.

Controls and display are handled by traditional buttons and dials mostly, with the exception of a small LCD screen used to display HVAC, phone, and audio info. While analog in their design, the dials are controlled by the latest CAN (Controller Area Network) and LIN (Local Interconnect Network) communications technology.

The enhanced Sennheiser audio system provides a high-fidelity audio experience. It utilizes lightweight and efficient actuators in the dashboard for higher frequencies, moving-coil drivers in each door for mid-range reproduction, and a ported subwoofer behind the seats for low-end and sub frequencies. Additionally, actuators in each seat enhance the bass sensation, allowing occupants to feel the music.

Supersport is also the first Morgan to feature hands-free calling. Connected via Bluetooth, three microphones discreetly housed within the center console use beamforming tech to focus on specific sound sources and reduce background noise. This, combined with an amplifier that uses active noise cancelling and echo cancellation algorithms, enables clear phone conversations even when riding with the roof down.

Like every Morgan, much of the car's excitement is built by personalizing a lot of details. Customers have the opportunity to specify their Supersport with the support of the designers who conceived it.

Supersport starts at just under $111,000 (with extras thrown in for delivery, etc.). The company plans on producing around 200 units a year. Given what many cars cost these days, this price is one of the Supersport's many charms.

Learn more at morgan-motor.com/models/supersport/.

Source: Morgan Motor Co.

Published March 2025

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