Morgan has confirmed that its new six-cylinder flagship - set for reveal next month - is to be called Supersport. No Plus, no Aero, nothing before or after - just the Morgan Supersport. Which certainly has a ring to it, evoking previous models like the dramatic Aero Supersports (note it’s only ‘Supersport’ this time around) as well as proper classics like the Super Sports (note now it’s only one word) of the '30s. It was also a Plus 4 SuperSport (they really have done every variation now) that claimed class victory at the 1962 Le Mans 24 Hours, so it’s a name steeped in heritage for Malvern.
Not that this Morgan is going to be a retro roadster of any stripe. It’s going to be built on the CXV bonded platform, an evolution - and so it would have to be assumed an improvement - over the CX architecture that underpinned the most recent Plus Four and Six. A new era ushered in by a brace of Morgans that were better to drive, by a margin, than any of their predecessors, so hopes are high for the Supersport.
Underlining that optimism, Morgan reckons that the new car ‘represents the next evolution’ in its ‘commitment to lightweight, driver-focused performance… while instantly recognisable as a Morgan.’ Powering a familiar look is a familiar engine: the BMW-supplied B58 3.0-litre six-cylinder will continue to supply bountiful performance and a rousing soundtrack, and is highly unlikely to attract much dissent from buyers.
Admittedly, there’s no word yet on a manual gearbox, though the fact that both BMW and Toyota have created a six-speed for the 3.0-litre in recent years - which seemed very unlikely when Morgan started using the engine - is encouraging. Imagine a Supersport Speedster, complete with manual, aero screens and track tyres… Anyway, that’s for the future (perhaps). The standard Supersport will be unveiled on March 11th, with Richard Hammond presenting the livestream from Pickersleigh Road. Can’t come soon enough…
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