Morgan has revealed its new flagship model, the Supersport, a heavily re-engineered successor to the Plus Six. Built on the extensively revised ‘CXV’ aluminium platform, it is claimed to be the stiffest and most dynamically capable Morgan yet, powered by a BMW-sourced 3.0-litre straight-six engine producing 335bhp with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.
The Supersport introduces a raft of changes that elevate it beyond its predecessor. The new platform is 10% stiffer than the outgoing CX-generation chassis, with an additional 10% gain in rigidity when fitted with the optional carbonfibre hardtop. Weight remains a priority, with a kerbweight of 1170kg and the removable hardtop adding just 19.7kg. Steering, suspension geometry, and tyre choices have been overhauled to provide a more composed and engaging driving experience, while the braking system and aerodynamics have also been refined.
Speaking with Octane, Morgan Managing Director Matt Hole commented: ‘This is a ground-up re-engineering of a Morgan, which will eventually replace the Plus Six. It’s a Morgan for all seasons, a car that you can use all the time, but it turns everything up a notch, turns the performance up to 11. The whole chassis is 10% stiffer and the hardtop adds another 10%. It’s the safest Morgan there’s ever been and also the best driving.’
Chief Design Officer Jon Wells explained that the Supersport had been an opportunity to refine Morgan’s design language while ensuring it remained unmistakably part of the brand’s heritage. ‘Visually, there is nothing on this car that isn’t designed by Morgan except the gearshift. The Midsummer project may have previewed the silhouette, but this car was Project 26 and only came later because it was radically changed underneath. We’ve tried to communicate that it’s sitting on a much more sophisticated platform. The body celebrates clean aluminium surfaces almost as if they’re dropped on top. It’s not a pastiche.’
Aerodynamic efficiency has been prioritised, with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies leading to a 5% reduction in drag and a 20% decrease in lift compared to previous six-cylinder Morgans. The new steering system features revised geometry and a faster steering rack, while suspension upgrades include new anti-roll bars as standard, a redesigned layout, and the option of an adjustable Nitron damper setup for those seeking a sharper response.
Morgan’s coachbuilding heritage remains at the heart of the Supersport, with its aluminium bodywork hand-formed over an ash frame. Attention to detail extends to the interior, which now features revised dials, a Sennheiser audio system, wireless phone charging, and improved storage space, including a boot – a rarity for a Morgan. The car’s removable hardtop, a first since the Plus 4 Plus of the 1960s, transforms it from a convertible to a coupe in just ten minutes.
Production has already begun, with the first customer cars due for delivery soon. Morgan anticipates strong demand worldwide, with 25% of orders expected to go to the UK, 40-50% to Europe, and the rest to global markets including the Middle East and the USA, where sales will be limited to 325 units per year. ‘We think this is going to turn the dial up for us in the Middle East,’ said Hole. ‘The integrated hardtop will help in hotter climates, and we already have a strong order book.’
The Supersport represents a major step forward for Morgan, balancing tradition with modern engineering in a way that aims to keep the marque relevant in the evolving automotive landscape. The company remains committed to petrol power for as long as regulations allow, with plans to continue developing its lightweight, hand-built sports cars into the foreseeable future. Hole concluded: ‘We’ll be one of the last people selling ICE cars, but they will be very environmentally friendly. The wood is sustainably sourced and aluminium is 60% recycled. The environmental impact of the car is negligible.’
Available in both hardtop and soft-top configurations, the Supersport is priced from £102,000 and is on sale now.
