I posted it here since it has the “aero” chassis.
If it’s the wrong place or it has already been posted, feel free to move/delete it.

Looks amazing and having had a 335 BMW, so is the engine. Won't sound like a plus 8 but it's performance will be matched and what about the MPG. Guess the road tax will be reduced also.

Excluding the sound, what not to like

It will be interesting to how the driving experience compares.

Look a fabulous thing, but what a shame it “looks just like all the other Morgan’s”
The beauty of the Aero Range was it had the Morgan DNA but looked like nothing else. I suppose the Aero Range was a risk that didn’t pay off? (Although it left us the aluminium chassis) hopefully it will sell well, but it doesn’t ignite the spark in me that the V8 engined cars did.
Simon

I wonder. The positioning of those radiators in the wings... That's not going to leave room for side exhausts, is it?

Will

And, hold on...
The oil filler has moved from being akwardly under the front wing to being under the bonnet hinge?
(What else would a large circular cutout be for?)
That's going to be a challenge to fill!

Will

I will be keen to try one.... looks good fun. Auto only is an interesting move.... I think there'll be a healthy market in replacement gear sticks!

Interesting, but I was expecting a replacement for the Aero, this looks like it fills the plus 8 gap, I'm sure we will see an Aero replacement at some stage.
I wouldn't worry about it being auto, I have that 8 speed box in my 335 and it is brilliant (coming from somebody who hated autos).

As an all new model shame it has the same clock locations as Roadster. Maybe for the same reasons though i.e. they were tied to engine package.

Morgan have said this will sit at the top end of the current range, but it isn't an Aero replacement or a flagship.
Apparently details on that will be forthcoming in a year or two..

So it looks like an Aero replacement will be on the cards, considering they have already developed this it makes logical sense to assume an Aero 6, and perhaps either a more highly tuned version (Aero 6+?) or even another new engine, Aero Turbo perhaps..

I really hope so, something as “bonkers” as the Aero would be my wish....

Love it but i expect it will be 90k when they start coming off the production line, the Aero will be back at sometime.

Em

Dispensing with the live axle accounts for the greater luggage shelf space I guess.

If so the MMC would need to have "saved" nearly £40k over the cost of the Aero Plus 8?.

Edit Pleased to say I was wrong on the price.

Pricelist and options:
https://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/plus6pricelistmalverntest.pdf

The 90k refer's to the plus6 only.....

Em

What's the price of the Z4? £50k?

Are the radiators both sides? Haven't seen image of right hand (exhaust side) yet.

I'd have one at the drop of a hat,.,.......if I won the lottery.

my next daily driver, with a hardtop
only in 2020 though

question: any chance on a manual version?

I enjoyed this video on the new +6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDCu_ScK2_g

I like the new screen pillars, and is the roof release metal or chrome painted plastic?

Are the doors lower slung as they have lost the old Land Rover door release

I love the subtle wood tones inside, I'd have one in a heart beat, I wonder if I'll be lucky enough to find a bag of cash while out walking the dog?


Very nice.....

Very informative video and congratulations to the MMC team for creating another new car under tight constraints.

Agreed, and a very well prepared set of colours, trim finishes and optional accessories. Very professional indeed.

It does look good, and at least it should ensure Morgan continue to thrive - just look at the positive reactions to it on Pistonheads which is less biased & arguably more objective than we are!

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=1797212

I wonder if (once Brexit is done with) the old manual V8 cars will start to rise in value on the back of the fact that there will never be any more produced?

Until when you do not have to sell it, for sure

So tempting....

Excellent brief video, I have to say Henry Catchpole really 'gets' Morgans

An other one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhUcCjai_64

I was a bit disappointed that they did not also release an updated and improved version of the Aero - The Aero 6?
The potential is certainly there and it has already been mentioned as a planned development.

I would hope that when the 4 cylinder version of the Classic range is developed that they would also make an Aero 4.The BMW in line 4 with 185 kW (248 hp) would be ideal. 248 HP keeps it under the Super tax threshold in Italy and 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft)
from 1,450 rpm would give it similar performance to the current naturally aspirated Roadster. I imagine however that they will more likely go for the 190 kW (255 hp) version which develops 400 Nm (295 lb⋅ft) at 1,550–4,400 rpm.

Let's face it if they use the same platform with different engines for the Classic range they could easily use the same Aero body on top of the rolling 4 cylinder version of the platform.

Paddleshift , excellent , and 4.2 secs 0-60 is serious fast , well done Morgan and BMW ! Looking forward to a test drive !

I'm a bit surprised that there is no traction control. Not everyone has a judicious right foot and with all that torque coming on at only 1,600 rpm it could be more tricky to drive than the naturally aspirated Roadster or Plus 8.

Given that the car has ABS the wheel motion sensors are in place and the addition of traction control, which is probably already provided for in the BMW ECU, should not be impossible.

It'd need the beemer steering wheel gubbins as well, then it wouldn't be a simple switch on it'll need developing for this chassis and suspension which will take further development time.

As far as I'm concerned the +6 is a series 1 V6 Roadster - like wot I have

Peter , I asked the management the same question when i had a test drive in a new plus 8 and they said it would cost too much !

There are various tuning options for this BMW engine.

You can find a tuning box for £4-500, some offer the potential of 430bhp !!!!

With weight just over a tonne, that makes a very fast Mog !

I asked Henry Williams the same question this evening and he didn’t think so.

For me, the lack of traction control is what makes driving a classic Morgan so exciting. It certainly keeps you alert and “on your toes”, if not the brakes!

If I wanted a safe car to go for grocery shopping I’d have bought a Porsche (well, I did it, but fun it’s something different)

I am impressed by what I read and see. Particularly that it is a bit more easy to get in and out of for taller (and wider...) enthusiast, with an ever older growing demography of buyers, I think this is smart.
I would need to overcome my reluctance against bmw engines, though, given the missery I went through with my 750ixl, needing a new engine at 38kkm. An inline 6 is a very nicely running engine.
I like the hard top shown in the first picture.
Curious what the price will be in NL, the 175 g/km is still high and will attract a significant CO2 tax in my country. I would love to test drive it one day.
Cheers,
Bert

From what I have read (all the same stuff as you good folk I would guess) the Plus 6 looks like an important step for Morgan.

Interestingly last month I just sold my BMW 440i which was fitted with the same engine as the Plus 6 but in a slightly different state of tune. My 440i had BMW's own Power Pack fitted at the BMW dealer and gave 365 bhp which was more than sufficient and in fact a bit ferocious at times. You could set of t/c light flashing frequently on damp roads - mostly because of the tremendous torque at mid engine speeds. I wouldn't say it was a handful but the torque in this turbo engine comes in a bit of a slug and in a lighter vehicle (Plus 6) it will need some respect. From my experience with the BMW N/A V8 engine I think that this engine is bit more manageable than the turbo straight six.

The 8-speed A/T transmission was great in the heavier 440i but is not exciting unless in sport mode (quicker shifts with a nice shock that mightn't be appropriate in a light Morgan). My new daily driver has a 7-speed twin clutch gearbox (Porsche's PDK) that is strangely smoother and quicker shifting than the ZF. Along with other posters I would also be keener on a manual shift in such a sports car but times they are a changing as someone once said...

Even more interesting for me was the sale of a majority shareholding in Morgan to an Italian investment firm. How much they now own I couldn't clearly find but a majority is a majority. Surely there will be more pressure on Morgan to deliver better returns but at least they will have better access to finance. I just hope that Morgan doesn't loose its character and slightly home-spun, amateur side (I mean this in a positive way) that many of us love with all this investment There are plenty of well developed, very very good cars around and many of them have lost their fun or rather their suitability for fun fast road driving (BMW 440i included). I am sure there are plenty of smart engineers at Morgan but I think they need to make sure they keep what makes Morgan appealing. Faster, smoother, more equipment is not always better if you loose the core appeal.

I wonder how difficult it would have been to add traction control? Surely all the right bit are already in the loom and ECU?

I was told by Graham Chapman that the T/C system would require completely new software to work with a 1000kg vehicle, not a 1500 to 2000 kg lump. Given that most Morgan drivers actually know how to drive the development cost was not seen as contributing to the saleability of the product.

I can only agree. The TC package on the M140i isn't that impressive: it makes the back end feel unsettles as it uses the rear discs to control the grip. Turned off the car is nicer, but requires a lot of care. A LSD, which the Plus 6 has and the M140i doesn't, is more important than TC, in my view.

Not that I would buy one anyway but the lack of traction control on the Plus 6 would be a red flag for me.

I have nerve damage to my right leg from an accident and have minor problems with fine motion control of my right foot. With an LSD I think a traction control system that simply eases off the fly-by-wire throttle would be sufficient. A full intelligent all wheel control combined with individual wheel brake application would not be required.

Some of the recent Roadster accidents give a good idea of what some will experience.

I had a thought this morning whilst in the shower (where I do most of my thinking!!! Must be the water on my head!!).

I'm not sure of the timing on the release of the Plus 6 and the news of the sale of MMC. But I wondered if anyone had placed an order for the Plus 6 and then regretted it slightly on hearing the sales news!! Just a thought :-) Of course the opposite could be true. Placed an order, heard the news and been happy knowing quality may improve with investment.

Hey maybe it'll improve quality and reliability.

"It's a Mog, they don't all do that Sir!"

I was going to say "improve quality and reliability.....what...with Italian owners!!!". But then Aston Martin popped into my head and my tail shot between my legs!!

I must be a lucky blighter, I've had seven Morgan's over last forty eight years. I've used and abused them. but there has never been a day when I have failed to drive one home....I know I'm tempting fate by saying this. Mine have all had excellent reliability. PS all trads.

I am not sure if this is the right part of the forum to post this?
Mods, please move if you feel it is more appropriate elsewhere.

Adding a little colour to the latest sale of Morgan.

https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features/why-morgan-sold-itself-to-the-italians/39765

"Morgan admits the plan is to use the new CX architecture to underpin a fuller range",

Does that mean an SUV to make real profits ?

needs a manual gearbox! shouldn’t be too difficult, BMW has a 6 speed for this engine, doesn’t it?

I wonder if the soft top will leak?

Auto is the future. Some cars are already only available in Auto. I have auto with the paddle shift on the Jaguar and I do use "manual" with the paddles every so often. Takes a bit of getting accustomed to. I put my hand on the top of a water bottle in the centre console the other day

I like the auto lever in the Coupe as it is a big lump of metal with nice knurling. Very tactile. The BMW one in the Plus6 does look a bit odd but having used one in a couple of their cars it is very functional.

The claims that the cockpit is some 200mm longer and a bit wider than the current trads and that there is larger stowage capacity are intriguing given the footprint. The promotional photographs seem to show the headrests on the seat placed further back but perhaps the engine bay design allows the footwell to be extended? Maybe the dashboard and windscreen are further forward and perhaps this has led to the post suggesting that the car looks a bit stubby?

I suspect that it’s never been designed for side exhausts due to meeting ever tougher emissions restrictions etc. Those days may have gone🙄

I do like the idea of a straight six Morgan. I’ve always thought they sound better than a V6 and suit the classic vibe of the Morgan better....and I’m a huge fan of BMW sixes!

I would have liked the option of wires on the car as they suit the classic shape better or if alloys the ones on the runout Plus 8. A nicer steering wheel with more classic overtones would be nice. I know it needs an airbag but hopefully with the new owners and their money, one could be developed. That’s me being picky and there’s not a lot to pick at!

Well....I’d do away with the wooden frame. It’s not needed and if my Roadster was anything to go by, due to the variation in construction, can lead to leaks. Wood, alloy and leather might be Morgans marketing thing but things move on. Will most buyers really care about the wood and you can barely see it anyway!
A moulded composite frame or formed alloy would be better and far more accurate particularly if they hope to sell in volume.

I suspect that for most people “reliability”’ isn’t the car breaking down but more issues regarding leaks, poor quality relays and seizing rear brake cylinders. It was the leaks that got to me in the end, I could accept drips from the hood but not the leaks under the dash onto the back of the instruments. That and the St Vitus Dance from the front end....at least the new car won’t suffer that!

On the interior design of the new Plus Six, I must say I really like the new seats

I know it’s a peculiar and minor thing to mention but the proportion and shape of the headrests is bob on in my opinion

I always thought the one peice sport seat of the Plus 8 didn’t quite sit right (no pun intended) with the trad shape but these new seats suit the car really well

Not so much poor quality relays, but under specced.
The initial current draw (inrush current) of the fuel pump was higher than the relay was designed to cope with...

I bow to your greater knowledge G .....I never had problems myself with relays. My problems were with water increases and the dreaded shakes... oh and two sets of seized master cylinders at MOT time 🙄

I agree John. For a new model I think there is quite a bit I don't like. I will reserve some of my thoughts until I have seen it in the metal.

In this new series the only wood that would be justified is in exposed trim. There are just too many variables that are not corrected and/or adjusted in the wooden frame. Individuality is all very well but when things don't fit properly because every car is different it is a recipe for a nightmare.

I wonder if it will evolve to a Superleggera style alloy frame that drops over the Chassis and supersedes the Ash, more accurate and may well even be lighter in weight, all the wings could then be made to a specific width & delivered pre-cut from the pressing co, a considerable time saver in the tin shop

I've just priced up a Plus 6 as I'd want it to replace Tarka.

£81,686 collected from the factory.

Tarka is worth possibly £70,000

So, just £12,000 to find.

Decisions...decisions......

The only decision you need to make is the colour

And you could still have it in that, ummmm, brown..

And there’s me thinking that you were an out and out V8 fan Peter 🙄

Interesting idea. Even better, a few robots could do it, hey, robots could fit the wings too. More predictable,more reliable than humans. Then automate the paintshop, easy. A perfect car product. What shall we call it? A Morgbot perhaps...?
Somehow, the magic will be gone for me then. Part of my driving pleasure is knowing that people worked as a team to make my car, that I support low tech responses to the world.
Nick

I’m keeping my V8.

I will not buy it as well, but for a simple reason: I cannot afford to buy another one, else that would be for sure in my garage

That does sound tempting Peter....but remember the noise your beautiful car makes.....I really missed the sound of my old plus 8 when I went to a Roadster, even though the latter was faster and nimbler. The sound..... it's about half of the love really.
Nick

Well you did sell the bike ?

I seem to recall a certain someone urging me to buy the last of the naturally aspirated V8's. He was right to do so.

Peters comment about selling Tarka and ordering a Plus6 made me think about selling the S2 and having the Coupe and a Plus6. However the gap on the upgrade would be much larger and I suspect that would make my pension come out in a red rage. It has never forgiven me for the current situation and sulks constantly.

I am....

The BMW straight 6, even with the "clever" back box" (which has been replaced under warranty) sounds anaemic. Mercedes AMG do a much better job at making a V6 sound like a slightly hysterical V8!

BTW I'm selling the BMW, going back to Mercedes with a bright yellow AMG A35

Even if I could afford the Plus 6 I really cannot see what it would give me that Tarka doesn't give me. And it wouldn't have Aeromax wheels!! As Aeroman has said, it is a keeper.

Instead I'm spending money upgrading Tarka:

• The lock covers are away at the trimmer being covered with matching leather
• I will get the LED headlamps that Aeroman has....
• I've finally worked out a way to fit a wind blocker to the roll bar:watch this space... thanks "Will the Customer" for the idea!

That is, unless I get a big lottery win, when I'll get a M3W to go with Tarka....!!

Ring, ring...ring, ring..

"Hello, is that Caroline..?"

Chester (Yann) mentioned it and I didn’t give it much credence due to his general negativity about Morgan. But on looking at the photos I have to say he is correct🙄

Just where is there room on the dash or under it, for a radio? I can’t believe that they haven’t designed a dash to include a radio🙄. And please everyone don’t say that ICE is wasted in a Morgan...it was in my Trads but this car is competing in a different market and it’s needed!

The stereo is listed as a standard feature on the price list. Could be a misprint..Aren't these two cars test / show cars though ?

Looking forward to your test drive report Peter !

I suspect it is the same system that is offered in the S5 Aero.
An amplifier and speakers, with a range of inputs.
Me? I want a Bluetooth enabled DAB Radio, that is all.
The lack of one could be a deal breaker.

The radio wouldn’t be incorporated in the dash screen gizmo would it?

I wonder... we shall no doubt find out.

And in one of the Geneva interviews Jon Wells mentions redesigned doors to include speakers so there must be an audio system and as you rightly point out it’s on the price list

However a conventional radio receiver with an ariel might be what Yann is taking about

Exactly what I would want too. That is exactly what I am thinking of fitting as a replacement of the existing radio in the Plus 4. I will probably fit a microphone for hands free calls, if only to answer and say hold on the till I find a place to stop.

If the speakers are “hidden” in the doors. Maybe the audio system is equally hidden

I think it is easy to overlook the noise that a car radio can make in an open top car. You'd have to have the volume up pretty high when doing any speed, and it would still be loud when idling at lights. There is a particular junction in my town which is always noisy from car speakers, those poor residents. Of course its only the young tearaways doing it, you never hear any Mozart.
And dont get me started on people with phones on trains.....

I know it's exhausting sometimes, mostly they listen to Stravinsky

Maybe the Plus 6 is progress compared to trad owners only listening to anything conducted by (Sir Simon) Rattle? Said with affection for all things trad of course, seeing as I'm a new and very happy owner!

We listen to music, MP3 on a memory stick, or the radio for music and traffic info, when we are on the road. Up to 100 kph (60 mph) there is no problem at all beyond that the wind noise starts to get progressively worse. Once you reach Warp 1 (130 kph) it becomes difficult to hear the sound system but not impossible. I have toyed with the idea of fitting small speakers in the space just behind the doors where the speakers were fitted on older cars.

I would definitely want a DAB radio with Bluetooth and, if I was buying a new car I would request a 4 speaker system to be fitted.

PS. The music we listen to is predominantly jazz, blues, classic rock, or Portuguese fado

I have a bit of a conundrum.

I was fully intending to get an electric car.

But now this has been revealed and me being of 6'3" with some midriff expansion and a condition that suffers with the heavy clutch spring.

I am sorely tempted, it'd have to be a base version as such.

As I was intending to spend some money on my Roadster over the coming years (T5 gearbox, some paintwork, possible 5link rear suspension)

It has me seriously wondering if I could do some creative accounting. I will have to resist visiting any dealerships with spaniels!

I really like these very very much and don't even need any encouragement from Peter Jenks!

Oh and I may tick the two tone option!

Time to get a second job maybe?

Go for it Mark!
I know the spaniels would assist you

A spaniel coloured Morgan Plus 6. Hmmmm!

You had better have a drive in the M140i before it goes as it has exactly the same engine and gear box.
Then in the Plus 8 as it will give you a good idea of the ride and handling.

Remember, if you order a +6 now you should get it for Christmas.

Oh, and I will be jealous.

BUT, I think it is a logical and sensible consideration.

Chop in the GT 86 and the Morgan Roadster. Get the hard top version and it is an all weather car.

Brown ?

God no, nothing so subtle!

I do like the idea of two-tone...…….

But radios? never listen to the radio in the Morgan.

In fact we rarely have it on in the tin tops...…….

We travel in silence....relatively speaking.

The ones in our Aero chassis cars displaces a BMW gear change control lever, so why couldn't MMC carry it over? Then it would match the brake lever, which is exactly the same as the Aero one.

I think that in the new BMW lever there is much more electronics than in ours, including the electronic parking button.

Dave , the only time the radio/cd is any good is if the car is on tick over and a 70's rock band are playing !

As you may know in NL we enjoy CO2 tax when buying a new car.
For the Current Roadster @ 240 g/km this amount is about 47keuro.
For the +6 @ 170 g/km this tax is about 17keuro.
This makes me think that that the +6 in NL might even turn out to be cheaper than the Roadster...
The website of the NL Morgan dealer, is always hopelesly outdated. No word about the new model there yet..., so I can not check the facts. But the big difference in CO2 pennalty, more than offsets the higher net of tax price of the +6. VAT amount will be higher on the new model, but NL tax policy makes the choice between +6 and Roadster intersting... I think Roadster sales (allready low) will come to a full stop in NL.
Cheers,
Bert

Very interesting figures those, certainly no surprise then that the Plus 6 will sell over the Roadster.

Taxation is a strange one.

My plus 8 costs £525 to tax vs a 500hp GT3 with similar MPG costs £140.

Hi Bert,
I don't know what the current roadster price is, but have understood the Plus 6 will be just over €120K in the Netherlands (base price), so I guess your assumption is right.

Thomas,
Had not seen that 120kEuro number for the plus 6 yet.
On the hoplessly outdated dealer site, they give a similar number for the Roadster. Howerver, a dutch car magazine I read lists the Roadster at 130keuro. If that is correct, my assumption that the plus 6 will stop sales of new Roadsters is confirmed.

If you calculate back the net of tax amount, you get 85keuro, which is 10keuro more than the net price in UK.
It must be that building RHD cars is way cheaper than LHD ones...
cheers,
Bert

There is a surcharge for LHD cars and another for overseas delivery. Both are in the price list.

In the past a LHD car from the UK was 3% surcharge. I bought one new Roadster from M Rutter. How much is it now, I have not found it in the price list.

Sorry correction. I can't find a LHD surcharge in the UK price list either and the "Rest of the world surcharge" does not apply to the EU.

Perhaps the new shareholders did not want it but who knows we may still see a different EU price list. Who the heck knows what will happen post Brexit.

Brexit or not, I bet a good bottle of wine that the +6 naked with us will cost 95K€ in Germany. If it is less you have a good bottle of wine. I'll bring it with me when we come back this year to visit you for an overnight stay.

Here all the "technology" that there is in our gearbox lever