Lucky chap, I managed a (paid for) passenger ride at Prescott on Sunday with Mark Baldwin
I'd watched in the morning after my own run in the Roadster, and as Mark had clearly been 'giving it the beans' I thought I'd cough up my £tenner, anyway of course by then it pi55ed it down & so we entertained the onlookers by risking hood up?? hood down?? three times in the warm up queue
Many thanks to Mrs M for braving the rain to get a photo
Jon M
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#589631 13/08/1912:46 PM13/08/1912:46 PM
Aaaah bonjour monsieur ploooos huit (yep fluent in French too). If ‘‘tis I that you refer to, I have semi approval for a test drive and if (and is a big ploppy if), Lady HB “gets it “ in terms of the auto element and comfort of ride, it is something that could be entertained when I reach the grand old age of 55. Apparently I may be allowed by her to access some of my pension funds to finance the difference between Florence (Mk 1) and a Plus 6. Of course as long as it still allows sufficient value left to finance her early retirement if required. I have to say though that the reviews sound great and Lady HB likes the sound of the comfortable ride thus, as I genuinely want her to be comfortable and enjoy the ride I am enthused myself. Less bothered about the speed if honest. Better crack on with work then to put more money in at the front end!!!! But at least it’s not a flat ‘no’ so I am optimistic. In the meantime I love Florence and can’t get enough of her. Ppphhhhhwwwoooooooaaaaaaarrrrrr HB
Plus Four Bentley Velvet Red - “Bellagio” Prev 2019 110 P4 A3 S Line Tesla M3 AWD “Harry”
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#590095 15/08/1909:33 PM15/08/1909:33 PM
Apologies for zero French HB, I have a good cover of German but my late father being Polish did very little to encourage this but it came in handy when I worked over there for a few years. That sounds like a very sensible plan you have going there and a lot of support from your good lady mine just thinks they are windy and noisy, well I don't take it out if it's bucketing down so leave the roof at home and it has the Librands dual Sports exhaust so yes it is noisy. She is a gem though (the good lady, well both really) and if it keeps me happy she is all for it. We are both retired and in a couple of years we have a few things maturing so this I figure will tie in with the teething troubles being over for the new model so if the Sports exhaust sounds good and maybe a manual box I may well be tempted. I can't trust myself to test drive one as I'm damn sure it would create an instant craving which is doable but I'd like to see how the early adopters get on first. Of course in a couple years they may have a real world power unit installed by then with manual box, personally I find the 190bhp and torque available in the Plus 8 to be a more than adequate power level for me 0 to 60 in 6 Sec and 120mph so could be more interested in a lesser powered one, it's the CX chassis I find interesting and attractive more so than the Bavarian Motor Werks contribution.
When I sat in the Plus 6 at the FOS the thing that totally jarred with me was the gear shifter so I really hope as has been suggested that a manual option becomes available. I didn't find the seats uncomfortable at all but neither have I in my previous Morgan's perhaps I'm just fortunate in my personal upholstery department.
I'll be interested to hear all about your test drive.
Regards Richard
1999 Indigo Blue +8 2009 4/4 Sport Green prev 1993 Connaught Green +8 prev
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#590434 18/08/1904:59 AM18/08/1904:59 AM
Saw the light blue plus 6 in Fornham all saints on Sat morning around 9.45am .was it you driving john ? Was in the green plus 8 just behind the white van behind the plus 6 . :
Last edited by madmax; 18/08/1905:00 AM.
Geneva 2016 plus 8' The Green Godess' 4 side exits .
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#590436 18/08/1906:01 AM18/08/1906:01 AM
Steve John wasnt on his drive til later, I was on my drive at about 1230 just after the rain, so didnt put the power down until it was pointing in a straight direction....great fun...
Rob Davies Morgan 3 Wheeler 1934 MX Morgan Series 1 1947 Morgan +4 1956 TR4 Morgan +4 2000 T16 Rov
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#590439 18/08/1906:55 AM18/08/1906:55 AM
Also there was a plod with a speed camera on the route. He must have got fed up with that car. As said I was driving at 11 in the dry so plenty of right foot action to legal limits.
JohnV6 2014 Brooklands Edition Roadster "Brookland's Belle" #5 of 50
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#590499 18/08/1912:39 PM18/08/1912:39 PM
Also there was a plod with a speed camera on the route. He must have got fed up with that car. As said I was driving at 11 in the dry so plenty of right foot action to legal limits.
I hope KH discount it's retail price - you lot have ragged it to death before it's run-in
Jon M
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#590847 20/08/1912:40 PM20/08/1912:40 PM
Test drive today with KH. Unfortunately still on trade plates so Dan sat in with me for necessarily shortish drive. Longer one promised later.
Don't want to repeat too much of what has been said already. Also my views are based on stepping straight out of a one year old Roadster. Yes it steers and handles effortlessly around corners with a more wheel feedback than my Roadster, also with electric assistance. No discernable rattles and a smooth ride over bumpy roads very much unlike my Roadster. The higher seat height which I noticed immediately on sitting in one several weeks ago, is soon forgotten. Seats themselves have firmer squabs suggesting longer distances could be covered in comfort. I found the rearmost position of seatback was right for me although leaving nothing in reserve. Exiting was easier than my Roadster, but with the seat set for my average length legs, not exceptionally so. That might be a reflection on my ageing body though
Spent some time fiddling with all the auto transmission options on 8 speed box. The manual mode when selected whilst underway drops a gear or two and then will hold that gear up to the red line before changing up, or sooner when you command an upward change via flappy paddle or gearstick. Downward changes initiate auto throttle blip. A double click on downshift paddle drops two gears for quicker engine braking. The Sport mode button offers a lower gear for more immediate acceleration, it also magnifies throttle pedal position, effectively making it even more responsive. Apparently the car learns your driving syle over time and tailors shifts accordingly, presumably in plain Drive mode. In this mode kickdown works well and smoothly, and I imagine for a lot of owners using the car on the road this will be the mode of choice. The gear changes are far quicker than I could ever manage with a manual box and having eight of them gives smooth and rapid progress up to any desired speed. Performance in any mode is phenomenal although frenetic at higher revs and in manual mode.
Now the negatives for me. The engine note with standard exhaust lacks character and as already mentioned is frenetic rather than exciting at higher revs. Clearly it was never going to match the soundtrack of a V8 but suffice to say it brought a new respect for the V6 note of my Roadster, especially when booting it. There is some popping on the overrun at low revs but this is very muffled by that rear lateral silencer. Towards the end of my test I also noted an annoying note from the exhaust system when pootling along. Similar on my Roadster but for the fact it's a quieter, more pleasant, less intrusive sound.
Other observations, the audio system has flying lead jack input for sound streaming. How much would it have cost to include a pre-installed Bluetooth adaptor, although they are available for a few £'s. The very necessary digital speed readout in front of you (as Speedo numbers are tiny) cannot be seen at all with polarising sunglasses.
All this has given me an appetite to try an Aero chassied Plus 8 now though
Nice commentary on the positives and negatives. How big was the smile at the end is my question? mild, big, jaw aching ?
It will be interesting to see how many trad owners change and the reactions vs the same for Aero owners. I am a little surprised there are more people with trad backgrounds posting about the test drive than Aero owners. Having said that it is good as it shows that Morgan have got their decisions on product introduction right. It could well help resale values on the remaining (not overpriced final model) Plus 8 models. Probably a few going for side pipe options as well. Why stop at a little noisy when you can be utterly naughty.
Everyone loves a Morgan. Even me, unless it's broken again.
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#591086 21/08/1907:29 PM21/08/1907:29 PM
As far as high seats are concerned, please note Charles Neal's comments in his road test in Miscellany (the MSCC journal) "determined by homologation rules for sight lines" - in the main for forward view.
As far as high seats are concerned, please note Charles Neal's comments in his road test in Miscellany (the MSCC journal) "determined by homologation rules for sight lines" - in the main for forward view.
I'd missed that, thanks Graham ! For me I just don't feel comfortable in the PlusSix seats compared to my Roadster
Jon M
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: CooperMan]
#591148 22/08/1908:54 AM22/08/1908:54 AM
As far as high seats are concerned, please note Charles Neal's comments in his road test in Miscellany (the MSCC journal) "determined by homologation rules for sight lines" - in the main for forward view.
I'd missed that, thanks Graham ! For me I just don't feel comfortable in the PlusSix seats compared to my Roadster
"Rules is Rules" I guess. But seems a bit arbitrary, are the sight lines based on the height of an Average Euro Person? If so someone who is shorter than an AEP would not be meeting the homologation rules.
Last edited by Rovert; 22/08/1911:02 AM.
Brian
Jersey and Spain
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#591169 22/08/1912:51 PM22/08/1912:51 PM
Test drive today with KH. Unfortunately still on trade plates so Dan sat in with me for necessarily shortish drive. Longer one promised later.
Don't want to repeat too much of what has been said already. Also my views are based on stepping straight out of a one year old Roadster. Yes it steers and handles effortlessly around corners with a more wheel feedback than my Roadster, also with electric assistance. No discernable rattles and a smooth ride over bumpy roads very much unlike my Roadster. The higher seat height which I noticed immediately on sitting in one several weeks ago, is soon forgotten. Seats themselves have firmer squabs suggesting longer distances could be covered in comfort. I found the rearmost position of seatback was right for me although leaving nothing in reserve. Exiting was easier than my Roadster, but with the seat set for my average length legs, not exceptionally so. That might be a reflection on my ageing body though
Spent some time fiddling with all the auto transmission options on 8 speed box. The manual mode when selected whilst underway drops a gear or two and then will hold that gear up to the red line before changing up, or sooner when you command an upward change via flappy paddle or gearstick. Downward changes initiate auto throttle blip. A double click on downshift paddle drops two gears for quicker engine braking. The Sport mode button offers a lower gear for more immediate acceleration, it also magnifies throttle pedal position, effectively making it even more responsive. Apparently the car learns your driving syle over time and tailors shifts accordingly, presumably in plain Drive mode. In this mode kickdown works well and smoothly, and I imagine for a lot of owners using the car on the road this will be the mode of choice. The gear changes are far quicker than I could ever manage with a manual box and having eight of them gives smooth and rapid progress up to any desired speed. Performance in any mode is phenomenal although frenetic at higher revs and in manual mode.
Now the negatives for me. The engine note with standard exhaust lacks character and as already mentioned is frenetic rather than exciting at higher revs. Clearly it was never going to match the soundtrack of a V8 but suffice to say it brought a new respect for the V6 note of my Roadster, especially when booting it. There is some popping on the overrun at low revs but this is very muffled by that rear lateral silencer. Towards the end of my test I also noted an annoying note from the exhaust system when pootling along. Similar on my Roadster but for the fact it's a quieter, more pleasant, less intrusive sound.
Other observations, the audio system has flying lead jack input for sound streaming. How much would it have cost to include a pre-installed Bluetooth adaptor, although they are available for a few £'s. The very necessary digital speed readout in front of you (as Speedo numbers are tiny) cannot be seen at all with polarising sunglasses.
All this has given me an appetite to try an Aero chassied Plus 8 now though
Richard , you need to drive an Aero plus 8 asap , you will like it , especially one with side pipes !
Geneva 2016 plus 8' The Green Godess' 4 side exits .
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#593550 04/09/1908:01 PM04/09/1908:01 PM
I drove the BHM Plus Six demonstrator yesterday and found it lived up/down to my expectations set by reading comments on here and road Tests. Having owned an Aero for seven years and still having two 4/4s - it was an interesting experience. If my Aeromax had handled as well as the Plus Six and had as much cockpit space, I probably wouldn't have sold it. The chassis is way beyond the Aeromax (albeit, possibly the worst-handling Aero variant, with too much weight at the rear, over-stiff springs and oversized wheels) and has much more compliance, a nose that turns in more keenly and less 'squat' on acceleration or 'dive' on braking. I was very impressed.
Some have mentioned the high seating position (which I liked - it suits the size of the car) and the gear shifter (which needs a machined metal housing, but is easy to use and perfectly positioned). Because of the higher seats, there is more elbow room than other Aeros and you don't bang your elbow on the handbrake or door molding. My only gripe would be the flappy paddles which are flimsy plastic and - worse - do not move with the steering wheel, but are fixed to the steering column housing. Maybe this stood out because it is different to my daily driver, and I might get used to it.
The seats themselves are great, with the caveat that they are designed for people whose shoulders are wide and bum narrow. If you are designed the other way around, you are going to struggle to get comfy.
All round, it was almost as fun as my 4/4 (high praise indeed) but would be massively more usable because the doors open fully, the dash does not intrude into how you enter/exit the car, there is shoulder room and about 50% more luggage space behind the seats than a trad. Yes it is bonkers fast which would be fun on occasion, but for me the real attraction would be if my Wife would be comfortable to tour in it (which for different reasons she won't in the 4/4 and wouldn't in the Aero). I suppose I'd better take her to have a look at it...
Stuart "There's no skill substitute like cubic inches."
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#593744 05/09/1911:43 PM05/09/1911:43 PM
Had a quick 20 min drive around West London today. It was the moonstone first edition; just beautiful on a sunny September day.
Initial impressions derived solely from driving no faster than 30mph.
What a car! The ride and compliance is superb and a revelation. It’s not floaty or loose, it’s sure footed and wonderfully resolved. You can really feel the wonder of the new gen much stiffer chassis.
Steering has heft but not enough feel, it’s too filtered. But perfectly acceptable.
It is stupid fast. Even in normal, I found the throttle too sensitive and the car almost psychotic. In Sport+, I found it almost undrivable. The software needs fine tuning for more finesse. It’s like someone who is speaking just too fast for the listener to truly hear what is being said.
I didn’t find the seat too high, but I am only 5’8’. The seats felt very comfortable for me, with the side bolsters just perfect. The seat base could do with some side bolsters. The cabin is so much more roomy than any other previous Morgan, it really transforms the comfort and usability of the car. For the first time, I can get the steering far away enough from me to feel safe and comfortable - seating position was spot on. A real achievement. The doors are longer too, so in and out is a lot easier.
Quality is excellent, it feels well built, solid and tough. I heard no strange noises. In a year or two, it should be even better.
Apparently, when BMW mates a manual gearbox to this engine, Morgan will make it available; when that happens, I am getting one .. I think.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.
Much much more engaging, charming and seductive that I imagined.
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#593781 06/09/1907:21 AM06/09/1907:21 AM
“Initial impressions derived solely from driving no faster than 30 mph
It is stupid fast. Even in normal, I found the throttle too sensitive and the car almost psychotic. In Sport+, I found it almost undrivable. The software needs fine tuning for more finesse. It’s like someone who is speaking just too fast for the listener to truly hear what is being said. “
Sorry, those two comments contradict each other!
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: SFO]
#593805 06/09/1909:19 AM06/09/1909:19 AM
Had a test drive thanks to AW last Saturday, initial impressions were that it was better finished than the one at Mog19, it's stupid fast if you want it to be, even in slush mode the auto is a little snappy and I felt wants to start in too low a gear, eg crawling over speed bumps
The hi-set driving position is soon forgotten, but the seat back was too 'flat' and hard for me, I had a root under the seat & there's no way you could lower the mount, it's bolted direct to the floor, I fact it's so tight it ruckells the footwell mat when you slide the seat forward
I caught Mrs M, trying out the navigators seat
Because I have ocd on maintenance & detailing I took quite a few shots of hidden bits & I'll add these later with some observations
more to follow...
Jon M
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#594402 10/09/1903:56 PM10/09/1903:56 PM
The battery is nice & accessible and has multiple feeds, it has to sit low to miss the bonnet line, I assume the black plastic box on top is the master fuses
And this forces some encroachment in the passenger footwell, but not too noticeable when sat
Footwell lighting & seat heater incorporated
Jon M
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#594425 10/09/1905:32 PM10/09/1905:32 PM
The rad fan is mounted in front of the rad, I assume because it's too tight in front of the engine space
Throttle body on N/S with bespoke wing shape, access tight if you ever need to clean the MAF sensor
Also located N/S must be the ABS unit looking at the collection of brake pipes, possibly under the wing ?
And talking of brakes, the master cylinder / servo is mounted much higher on the bulkhead (compared to Trads) which allows a more conventional top hung brake pedal
Although, my right foot whilst resting on the accelerator was only a knats whatsit from touching the right hand edge of the brake, nice that there's a proper rest for your redundant left foot
Jon M
Re: Plus 6 demonstrator drive
[Re: John V6]
#594549 11/09/1911:26 AM11/09/1911:26 AM
The exhaust manifold is cast not tubular & the CAT is attached direct, so in effect sits in the engine bay
I think it needs a proper heat shield - it's going to get very hot in here, and radiated heat could effect some of those cables & pipes
As others have commented on, there are masses of cables & pipes within the engine bay, see also the battery shot in previous post
But on the subject of shields, it was nice to see some bespoke rear wing liners, so no exposed backs of light fittings & stops star cracks from stones pinged off the tyre
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