The sun is rising over the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, casting long shadows across the narrow lanes that wind through the English countryside. The air is cool and damp, the scent of grass and earth drifting through the open cabin of a car that is both timeless and thoroughly modern. This is the Morgan Supersport, a car that combines the charm of a handcrafted British roadster with the power and refinement of a BMW straight-six engine.
The Supersport is Morgan’s new flagship model, the successor to the Plus Six, and it represents the most significant step forward in the company’s 116-year history. It rides on a bonded aluminum chassis that delivers a level of rigidity and refinement that Morgan owners could only dream of a decade ago. Yet it retains the traditional craftsmanship that defines the brand: hand-formed aluminum bodywork over an ash wood frame. It is a car that proves old-school charm and modern performance can coexist.
The Powertrain: A BMW Straight-Six, Perfected
The heart of the European-spec Supersport 400 is the BMW B58 engine, a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six that produces 408 PS (402 horsepower) and 500 Nm of torque. This is the same engine that powers the Toyota GR Supra, the BMW M340i, and the Z4 M40i, but in the Morgan, it is paired with a car that weighs just 1,170 kilograms.
The power-to-weight ratio is exceptional. At 2.93 kg per PS, the Supersport 400 outperforms many six-figure supercars. The performance figures reflect this: 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, a top speed of 290 km/h, and a power-to-weight ratio of 257 kW per tonne. The engine is paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, with an optional aluminum gear selector available. An optional limited-slip differential is available for those who want maximum traction on corner exit.
The US-spec Supersport is powered by a BMW B46 engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 255 horsepower. This is a concession to US emissions regulations, but the car still delivers an engaging driving experience thanks to its low weight and chassis tuning. The US version is homologated under the Replica Vehicle legislation established by the FAST Act, allowing Morgan to sell up to 325 vehicles annually.
The Chassis: Bonded Aluminum and Ash Wood
The Supersport is built on the bonded aluminum platform, a significant evolution of the CX platform that Morgan introduced in 2019. The move from the steel ladder frame that Morgan used for 84 years to the bonded aluminum chassis yielded an improvement of “several hundred percent” in torsional rigidity. The new chassis weighs just over 200 pounds, contributing to a dry weight of 2,233 pounds.
The body is hand-formed aluminum, crafted using traditional techniques, and is mounted over a semi-structural ash wood frame. The combination of the bonded aluminum chassis and the ash wood frame is a testament to Morgan’s ability to blend tradition with modern engineering.
The Dynamic Handling Pack: Precision and Control
The Supersport 400 comes standard with the Dynamic Handling Pack, which includes adjustable Nitron dampers with 24 levels of adjustment, revised suspension geometry, and a specific calibration for the model. The result is a chassis that is more precise and communicative, responding clearly to steering inputs while maintaining a fluid and secure driving experience on a wide variety of roads.
The optional limited-slip differential improves traction control and stability. The car rides on 19-inch forged Sportlite wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires, which reduce unsprung mass and inertia.
The Driving Experience: Old-School Charm, Modern Refinement
The Supersport offers a driving experience that is both familiar and new. The steering is light but has a lovely fluidity and mechanical-feeling build of weight. The ride quality is improved over the Plus Six, with only the worst road scars delivering an occasional jolt through the cabin. The body rolls more than some sports cars, but in a very natural way that never risks throwing you off course.
The optional carbon fiber hard top increases the car’s stiffness and makes it more of a grand tourer. The soft top is a folding mohair unit. The interior features new Alcantara and leather upholstery options, with bespoke instruments created in collaboration with a specialist supplier. An optional aluminum automatic gear selector is available, replacing the stock BMW unit.
The traction and stability control systems are excellent, with ESC Sport mode allowing a bit of wheel slip without ever allowing the rear end to truly step out under power. With the optional limited-slip differential, the Supersport feels alive, gently tightening its line on the power, like a proper rear-drive sports car.
The Malvern Morning
The Supersport has completed its drive through the Malvern Hills. Its BMW B58 engine has delivered the 408 PS that makes it the most powerful production car Morgan has ever built. The bonded aluminum chassis and adjustable Nitron dampers have kept it composed through the curves. The driver, cocooned in the handcrafted interior, has experienced a level of performance that is as exclusive as it is engaging.
The Supersport is not a car for everyone. It is expensive, with a starting price of approximately £113,000 in the UK and $119,995 in the US. It is a car that prioritizes driving engagement over comfort and convenience, and it is built in small numbers by hand. But it represents a significant moment in Morgan’s history. It is the car that proves old-school charm can survive in the modern era, that traditional craftsmanship can coexist with modern technology, and that the joy of driving can still be found in a car that is built by hand, driven with intent, and cherished as art.
