Morgan Plus Four 2024 review (2024)

This is the new Morgan Plus Four, but you could be forgiven for not noticing. The silhouette of this retro roadster has scarcely changed since the original version debuted in 1950.

Beneath its flat-cap-and-flying-goggles exterior, however, there hides a surprisingly modern car. First launched in 2020, the current Plus Four features a bonded aluminium platform, double wishbone suspension and a twin-turbocharged BMW engine.

Updates for the 2024 model tested here include LED headlamps with integrated indicators, new puddle lights, a redesigned rear diffuser (yes, really) and an optional Dynamic Handling Pack. As I’m about to discover, the latter totally transforms how the Morgan drives…

Brand new retro

Morgan Plus Four 2024 review (1)

The Plus Four accounts for two thirds of the (850 or so) Morgans assembled in Malvern, Worcestershire, every year. So while the six-cylinder Plus Six is due a more adventurous facelift – inspired by the limited-edition Morgan Midsummer – its four-pot sibling plays it safe. If it ain’t broke, etc.

Indeed, on roads populated by cookie-cutter crossovers, the Plus Four still swivels plenty of heads. Its domed bonnet, voluptuous front wings and half-height doors have a simple elegance that today’s more aggressive, aero-sculpted sports cars have lost. Fit a private plate and few people will realise your Morgan is fresh from the factory.

Dodging Sunday showers in the Morgan Plus Four.

This car has the optional Dynamic Handling Pack, with new springs, adjustable Nitron dampers and a rear anti-roll bar. Definitely worth the extra £1,995 versus the standard setup. pic.twitter.com/t1JeQJIjo1

— Tim Pitt (@timpitt100) July 7, 2024

The 2.0-litre BMW B48 engine serves up 259hp, plus a gutsy 295lb ft of torque from 1,550rpm. With a kerb weight of only 1,044kg, that equates to 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds and a 149mph maximum.

Morgan quotes an impressive fuel consumption average of 45mpg, too – although don’t expect anything near that if you are having fun.

From Munich to Malvern

Morgan Plus Four 2024 review (2)

And fun you will have. The brawny BMW motor isn’t bursting with character, but it is mightily effective. That plentiful torque keeps it constantly on the boil, punching forcefully out of corners and overtaking other cars with ease.

Its soundtrack is gruff and earthy, with a deep gargle of induction when you floor the right pedal. Pressing the Sport Plus button opens baffles in the twin tailpipes and unleashes a fusillade of explosive pops on the over-run. It had me grinning like a naughty schoolboy.

The rear-driven Plus Four comes with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. A stick shift is the purist’s choice, yet the quick and intuitive auto ’box suits the Morgan well. My only gripes were the BMW gear selector and naff plastic shift paddles, which look and feel out of place in a hand-built sports car.

Plus Four plus points

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With its standard chassis setup, the Morgan is never going to trouble a Porsche Boxster or Lotus Emira for finely honed feedback. When I tested such an example four years ago, I described it as ‘good old-fashioned fun’.

Opt for the new Dynamic Handling Pack, though, and the Plus Four gains a newfound sense of poise and accuracy. Developed with suspension specialist Nitron, it consists of stiffer springs, adjustable dampers and a rear anti-roll bar. It’s £1,995 very well spent.

Where the car became discombobulated, here it feels tauter and more tied down. You can aim that long, louvred nose at a corner, then steer it using the throttle, enjoying a newfound balance and lightness of touch. With the exception of the bonkers, three-wheeled Super 3, it’s the most enjoyable Morgan I’ve driven.

Leave life’s baggage behind

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Equally, living with a Plus Four – albeit only for a week in my case – no longer feels like such a culture shock after a modern car. Folding down the roof, for instance, is now simply a case of releasing two catches, rather than a multitude of finger-pinching metal poppers.

You also get central locking and a digital speedo, while air conditioning, heated seats and a Sennheiser Bluetooth audio system are on the options list.

Morgan Plus Four on test.

Vital stats: 259hp, 295lb ft, 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, 149mph, 1,040kg, 45.0mpg and 140g/km.

Price before options: £74,406. Price as tested: £89,470. pic.twitter.com/85ISgKWbvS

— Tim Pitt (@timpitt100) July 10, 2024

You still need to accept some compromises, however. For starters, there is no boot, only a narrow shelf behind the seats, although Morgan does offer a luggage rack at extra cost. Stowage space inside the cabin, such as cup holders or a place to put your phone, is almost non-existent as well.

Lastly, while the Plus Four is glorious on a sun-drenched country lane, it’s less fun on a motorway in the rain. Wind roars around its bluff body, the trio of tiny wipers struggle to clear the flat windscreen and the fabric roof isn’t 100 percent watertight at speed. Anything more than an hour like this begins to feel a bit masochistic.

2024 Morgan Plus Four: Verdict

Morgan Plus Four 2024 review (5)

At £74,406 – or close to £90,000 including options for the Plus Four seen here – the Morgan looks expensive for a four-cylinder sports car.

Visit the Malvern factory, though, and you appreciate the craftsmanship and care that goes into each vehicle. From cutting and sanding the traditional ash wood frame, to stamping the bonnet louvres and sewing the seat leather, Morgans are genuinely hand-built.

Ever since 1950, the Plus Four has been a charming way to travel. Now it’s a car that keen drivers can enjoy without qualms, blending exciting performance with lucid steering, deft damping and real exuberance when its limits are tested. Appearances, it seems, can be deceptive.

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Morgan Plus Four 2024 review (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a Morgan 4 4 and a Morgan Plus 4? ›

The Morgan Plus 4 is a sports car produced by the Morgan Motor Company. It is a more powerful and, in the case of the earlier cars, a slightly longer version of the company's previous 4/4 model.

How long is the waiting list for a Morgan car? ›

The typical waiting time for a Morgan sports car is between six and 12 months.

Do Morgan cars hold their value? ›

Do Morgans hold their value? Yes. Unlike most modern cars, the various Morgan models usually retain a large proportion of the original cost. Also as there is a loyal and enthusiastic client base, specific models of particular interest are much sought after and supply is always scarce so values remain strong.

How reliable are Morgan cars? ›

As Morgans now use Ford engines, reliability shouldn't be an issue, while servicing costs shouldn't be more than expected for a sporty two-seater.

Can you buy a Morgan Plus 4 in the US? ›

Yes, the Morgan Plus Four will be available to buy in the USA in the future and is currently undergoing homologation and emissions certification as required by the US regulatory bodies. The Plus Four is one of the newest models from Morgan, and it was introduced in 2020.

How many miles per gallon does the Morgan Plus 4 get? ›

But the performance doesn't come at the expense of fuel economy and the Morgan Plus Four can deliver an impressive combined consumption of 40 mpg.

Why are Morgan cars so special? ›

Why are Morgan Cars so special? Classic manufacturing, traditionally handmade by craftsmen, these cars are quintessentially British in terms of style, poise and the emotions they conjure. Morgan only produces approximately 850 cars per year, and they are all assembled by hand.

Are Morgan cars a good investment? ›

For those who 'get it' and who take the plunge, a Morgan Plus 4 often turns out to be the best car they've ever bought. It's a classic car with most of the drawbacks of classic car ownership removed and with the bonus feature of classic car value retention or even, with the right example, value growth.

What is the recall on the Morgan motors? ›

This recall encompasses motorcycles produced between February 28, 2023, and November 17, 2023. The defect description pinpoints the cause as a weld failure on the mounting plate of the master cylinder, leading to movement during normal brake operation and consequent breaking of the hydraulic seal.

Can you daily drive a Morgan? ›

Over the years there have been a number of drivers who used their Mog as a daily drive, for considerable periods of time. The trick is to collect all the spare screws and other bits in case they are important, but they probably are not......

How long does a Morgan last? ›

Most horse will live for 20-30 years. Morgans are very long lived; many will live past 30 years if they are well cared for.

What are Morgans like to drive? ›

The engine and gearbox feel modern, the cabin and driving experience are caught in a mostly happy middle ground. But the styling lags. Yes, the new headlights have helped clean the visuals up a bit, but to attract new buyers it feels like all Morgans need a proper steampunk makeover.

Do Morgan still make the 4 4? ›

Made from 1936 to 2018, the 4/4 proudly holds the record as the longest running production vehicle in the world.

How much is a new Morgan Plus 4? ›

COMMISSION YOUR PLUS FOUR

It's time to start configuring your new Plus Four. Select from an almost endless array of colourways, materials and options to ensure that your Plus Four is as individual as you are. In the UK, Plus Four is available from £69,995 (inc VAT), download the full options and price list below.

How many Morgan 4 4 were made? ›

4/4 1600
Morgan 4/4 1600
Production1968–1993 5448 made
Powertrain
Engine1584 cc Fiat DOHC I4 1597 cc Ford CVH SOHC I4 1599 cc Ford Kent OHV I4
2 more rows

How much horsepower does a Morgan 4 4 have? ›

Powertrain specs
Engine typeInline 4
Power / liter38 ps (38 hp)
Power / weight61 ps (60 bhp) / t
Torque / weight103 Nm (76 lb-ft) / t
Efficiency5 PS per l/100 km
5 more rows

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