Times are changing at Morgan. The Italian investment firm Investindustrial – headed by the clever Bonomi that so ably turned around Aston Martin – has recently bought Morgan cars; and aims to modernise the product range, bringing its models technologically into the 21st century.
The first Morgan that I had driven in over 20 years appeared in my driveway in mid-summer and did not disappoint. Despite retaining the classic, stunning lines of its forebears, the Morgan Plus Four is actually an entirely new car.
The lines are still unquestionably Morgan, and it shares a design with its larger, slightly more powerful, bigger brother, the Plus Six. The car I tested came in a stunning grey colour with fabulous black alloy wheels and an elegant contrasting tan interior. The beauty of hand-built cars like this is that they are available in virtually any combination of colours internally and externally, and are still constructed in the traditional way in the factory in Malvern.
While this generation of Morgan retains many small touches from its predecessors, the engine gearbox suspension and general setup are all new – and the result is a classic-looking car that both drives incredibly well, and is a lot of fun. For those wanting a classic car experience for use at weekends and special trips, with all the joy and reliability of a modern car, the Morgan could be just the thing for you.
Start the engine and the BMW sourced four-cylinder engine crackles into life with a surprising feeling of energy. While the car I tested was actually an automatic, and although I had wanted to test the manual, I found myself enjoying the automatic, particularly when stuck in traffic. The engine gearbox combination is perfectly matched and suited to the car, giving an exciting jab of mid-range punch. Driving is very easy and effortless with this latest BMW automatic gearbox and works like a manual when you switch to sport mode.
In the old days, Morgans suffered from being a bone-shaking ride, but this version has ironed that out to a large extent. Although the ride can be bumpy and jiggly on a bad surface, it’s part of the fun of ownership. Driving with the roof down in the Morgan on a sunny summer afternoon in the British countryside is about as good as it gets for classical motoring in the UK. Pedestrians and even cyclists love the look of the car and smile when you pass.
The engine drivetrain and electronics are all modern, which gives you the confidence that you might lack in a classic car, especially one that is not used very often. Yes, the car does lack the up-to-date infotainment system of a modern sports car, but that’s not really what it’s all about: it’s about feeling you’re driving a classic car – and enjoying doing it. This Morgan may also not be up to date with all of the latest driving technologies, such as autopilot and lane-keeping technology, but again this is part of the fun. It feels like you’re driving a real car, not a computer.
The Plus Four is far from slow, hitting 60mph in approximately 4.7 seconds – which would give most modern sports cars a run for their money. The ergonomics could do with some improvement, as there’s not really enough room for two large adults, and nowhere to rest your right elbow on a long trip. Luggage is also a problem with no boot, so you will need to either pack carefully, get a boot rack, or ask your partner to drive a sensible car with the luggage and kids!
One sunny afternoon I ventured out to a classic car show. The Morgan drew so many admiring glances and questions that if I had been a Morgan dealer, I could have made plenty of sales. The car looks fabulous and wasn’t out of place among some of the best classic cars in the country.
But the real fun started when I began the 50-mile drive home and the heavens opened. My good friend Jeff, an experienced classic car enthusiast, and I were left at the side of the road in torrential rain trying to figure out how to close the roof. There’s no electric control and it needs a fair amount of brute force. In retrospect we should have practiced in drier conditions! Eventually the roof went up, and two somewhat sodden car fans resumed their journey home. It didn’t help that visibility was poor with the roof up and the demisters do not work terribly well, but – having been a classic car enthusiast for many years – I was accustomed to the situation and made it home without any mishaps.
It would definitely take some getting used to in wet weather, but again that’s part of the joy of ownership. I wouldn’t swap it for anything in the world. I love classic British cars and the Morgan Plus Four is a modern classic – really fun to own, and I’m sure it won’t depreciate significantly in value either. Morgan seems to finally be on the right track to profitability and reliability. I’m looking forward to driving the Plus Six, the bigger brother, soon and visiting the new Morgan show rooms when they open in London shortly.
Likes
- Style
- Hand-built
- Performance
- Exclusivity
- Fun factor
- Value retention
Dislikes
- Driving in the rain (but fun once mastered)
- Poor ergonomics
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