The Unbelievable Morgan Plus Six: A Retro Dream with Modern Muscle

Winding through the serpentine B-roads of the Wye Valley, situated on the border of England and Wales, often restricts overtaking opportunities. This region, which inspired the very first use of the term 'picturesque,' requires a patient search for a sufficiently long and straight stretch of road to safely pass the car ahead.

Since leaving the Morgan factory with the Plus Six, its powerful BMW TwinPower engine has hardly been pushed beyond a gentle purr. The eight-speed automatic gearbox glides through gears effortlessly, maintaining a leisurely pace through the rolling countryside. Yet, even at this relaxed speed, the Plus Six rapidly catches up with slower traffic.

Performance Unleashed

A simple press of the Sport + button transforms the Morgan's demeanor. The throttle response becomes razor-sharp, and clicking the gear selector over to manual mode readies the paddle shifters for action. The moment to overtake appears after a right-hand bend; a couple of taps on the left paddle, the engine roars to life, and the Plus Six surges forward.

The resulting acceleration is nothing short of breathtaking, surprising both the driver and the bystanders. The Morgan's traditionally styled bodyhouses an incongruously powerful engine, capable of delivering ferocious speed. Accompanied by the symphony of spooling turbos, popping exhausts between gear changes, and crackles on the overrun, the driving experience is exhilarating.

Having tested the Plus Four earlier, one could anticipate a remarkable performance, but the Plus Six takes it to another level entirely.

Timeless Design, Modern Engineering

The Morgan Plus Six retains the classic charm of its predecessors. The elegantly hand-formed curves over an ash frame are crafted using traditional tools, unchanged for decades. The model is wider compared to the Plus Four, featuring a greater track, standard 18-inch alloy wheels (with 19-inch options available), and a pair of additional driving lamps. It hasn't yet adopted the latest styling tweaks seen in the Plus Four, such as integrated indicator lamps and streamlined rear lights.

Within the cabin, the aesthetic is one of minimalist elegance. A flat painted dash, a refined wooden center console, hand-stitched leather, and plush wool carpets create a bespoke atmosphere. A small digital screen seems slightly out of place amidst the otherwise analog setup, but its presence is functional. The aluminum buttons designed by Morgan exude quality, but the BMW-sourced components like the gear selector and paddle shifters detract slightly from the handcrafted feel.

The Power Within

The highlight of the Plus Six is undoubtedly its BMW-sourced powertrain, delivering a robust 330 horsepower thanks to its six-cylinder engine. This offers a substantial boost over the Plus Four – an extra two cylinders and 80 more horses, slashing the 0–62 mph time down to a swift 4.2 seconds. The top speed is an impressive 166 mph.

Despite these figures, the Morgan Plus Six feels even faster in real-world conditions. Unlike the Plus Four, which struggled with traction on winter tires in the snowy Swiss Alps, the Plus Six's grippy Continental tires handle its power with ease, effortlessly managing the now-standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.

The braking prowess of the AP Racing brakes complements the car's dynamic agility, enhanced by revised bushes and dampers. Weighing just 2,456 pounds dry, the Plus Six benefits from remarkable nimbleness, making it a joy to navigate through tight, winding roads. The responsive steering adds to the overall driving pleasure, loading up perfectly as the car digs into corners.

Specifications: 2024 Morgan Plus Six

• Price: £93,603 ($119,361)
• Powertrain: 3.0-liter fuel-injected, BMW TwinPower six-cylinder; 8-speed automatic transmission
• Output: 330 hp @ 6500 rpm; 369 lb-ft
• Layout: Rear-wheel-drive, two-door, two-passenger convertible
• Fuel Economy: 38 mpg (U.K.), 31.6 mpg (U.S.)
• Competitors: None

The Morgan Plus Six stands in stark contrast to earlier models, such as the Plus Eight with its Rover V8 engine, which offered a different driving experience altogether. The outdated model lacked the braking and cornering capabilities necessary for its speed, resulting in a more visceral and challenging drive.

Three decades on, it's expected that the Plus Six would be a major improvement, but its performance and dynamics are truly outstanding. Beneath its timeless exterior, it conceals the heart of a thoroughly modern sports car.

Unfortunately for American enthusiasts, Morgan has no current plans to bring the Plus Six to the U.S. Just 325 Plus Four models will be imported annually under the Replica Bill approval process, leaving the Plus Six as an elusive dream for now— tantalizing but out of reach.

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