Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Plus Six & Plus Four (CX-Generation Vehicles) Any thoughts?

I was in Perth over the weekend and took the opportunity to pop into Revolutions to see the Plus Six in the flesh. I didn't torment myself by taking a test drive because I'm not in a position to buy even if I wanted one.
For what it's worth, here's my tuppence worth.

Much more room in the cockpit, not so keen on the Matt finish of the dashboard, the gear change and steering wheel mmmm, I think I could live with them, as a complete package it does look ok but changing any one of these would lead to a disjointed look I feel.

The comments regarding the seats I can understand, for me all they require is more support at the sides to make you feel more secure whilst on the move. They are comfortable enough and according to Elliott have become more comfortable with usage.

The doors feel heavier and I like the new handles, they close well but do squeek so there are still things to tinker with.

Luggage space depth appears less than in a trad but being wider is probably about the same or more overall, just a different shape.

The lack of a spare wheel and anywhere to put it concerns me, not sure if it should?

The car is visibly wider and therefore looks shorter although I'm assured it's slightly longer

For me it looks fantastic, the styling is what drew me towards Morgan in the first place, I didn't want a Morgan because I like tinkering with cars, I'm not keen on their tendency to creak, squeek and leak. I don't particularly like a car with heavy steering or clutch, no air-conditioning in 40° heat (not Scotland obviously) 1930s steering and suspension, limited luggage space and tendancy to break down. I tolerate these shortcomings because I love the style, craftsmanship and tradition. Any changes I can make to improve my driving comfort and experience I will, provided it doesn't impact on the value or safety of the car. For me the tradition is still there and if the other things I mentioned are absent then great.

Elliott tells me the performance is mind blowing, he was also sceptical of the "I would buy one if it were manual" comments. His opinion is the car would be almost impossible to drive as a manual, given his driving credentials I am more than happy to accept his opinion on that front.

If I were in a position, and following a successful test drive would I buy one? Maybe, however I might be tempted to wait and see what MMC build on the CX platform next. I don't think I'd have too long to wait!!. I imagined I would be the type of buyer the Plus Six was aimed at, now I'm not so sure, I can't see any potential supercar buyer being tempted either, or if they are I can't see the love affair lasting if the car is still a Morgan (creaks, leaks and squeeks) lack of electronic gadgets etc. When asked if an Aero owner might be tempted to change Elliott replied he didn't think so because it simply doesn't sound as good.

My opinion is the CX platform was ready and the Plus Six was put out to "test the water". I look forward to seeing which direction MMC will go in terms of body style. As I've said previously something that looked like the SLR would definitely be on my list.

Any thoughts?

Interesting points, Gordon. I'm having a test drive on Thursday, so hopefully will have some more to add then. I suppose the Plus Six is "testing the water" by default, being the first of the new breed.The price has attracted some criticism, but as it's a replacement for the Plus 8, I don't think it's too bad. I'm considering a new car for next year, so it'll be interesting if Morgan bring out something else in the Spring!

I wonder why he thinks the car would be impossible to drive as a manual.

Presumably because a human wouldn't be able to match the speed of the gear changes that the auto box can do?

I tried to keep the post as brief as possible.

To elaborate on what Elliott said, the car has an eight speed box, it would be near impossible to drive the car to its maximum potential with a manual box because of the clutch and gearchange work required. It is just about possible using the paddle shift though.

The plus 6 is the start of the future - more models based on the CX platform are due - likely well within 2 years I was told by a dealer . I did have a test drive, although i'm not in a position to buy, which was great. I found there are still some rattles which was surprising. I expect it'll leak a bit too but I'm only guessing! A Morgan shaped BMW? No, its very much a Morgan and hugely desirable. A 2 litre BMW powered version with manual box and lower price tag would be an excellent proposition. I don't think we'll need to wait long for that, or something very similar, to launch.

Whilst it looks very much like a Trad Morgan, its character is different. That likely won't be an issue for lots of buyers so the future is bright at Malvern. Those that love the "Trad" however will likely cherish them even more. Personally I'd like a CX chassis car as everyday transport and a trad to fettle and take care of.

Bit like a classic mini and a BMW one. Both are great but deliver different things to different people. Those that have sampled both know which is the best fun to drive...….

Gordon,

I've driven the Plus 6 and spent some time looking around the Williams example. I think your analysis is spot on: it is a cracking car, other than the seats. The engine and gearbox combination is one of the best available: BMW developed them to work together and they were the best bit of my ownership of a M140i. I don't think BMW offers the engine with a manual box in any vehicle, though I could be wrong.

As others have said, the chassis, with a smaller engine and manual box option, will be a cracker.

Anyway, this Aero Plus 8 owner wouldn't consider changing, mainly for the reason that Elliott states, but also because in the UK the big Plus 8 is really rather rare!

Pretty much echo's my thoughts when I saw the car at Geneva. I only sat in it briefly but I didn't notice any particular problem with the seats. What did surprise me was that a car with the power to weight ratio of the PlusSix does not have traction control. I imagine that the lack of traction control is one of the things that would make it difficult to drive in a manual version. It is also a surprising omission given that the BMW using the same engine has traction control and that the sensors necessary would be in place because the car has ABS.

I don't need, and certainly could not use, the power and potential of the PlusSix. In fact I don't think it even has a lot of sense unless you live on a racetrack or somewhere in Germany where there is no speed limit on your local stretch of Autobahn. Just as much fun could be had with the same car fitted with a smaller engine and you could get closer to its maximum potential in the real world.

As for the automatic gearbox: I opted for my first modern automatic when I purchased the Jaguar XE and I have no regrets. When I want to play I use the paddle shift. It is a challenge to get used to it and I can't help feeling that a stick shift would be a bit easier to adjust to, but that is another story. If I was buying a CX PlusFour I would most like opt for automatic.

Certainly if I was buying today and was offered the choice between a Plus 4 and a CX PlusFour I would choose that later.

Sorry ....... in my view a Morgan has always been a new classic car with a powerful engine and no more. The Plus Six looks good from the outside but I do not like the rest. The display on the dashboard is a disaster and the automatic gearbox does not belong in such a car. It looks for me like a replica car. If I want a car with these things I buy a modern looking sports car and then things fit together.

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Player

Well, I love it..

I think it's a genuine step forward for Morgan, and takes the best qualities of both the Aero and the Trad ranges and puts them into a modern, great handling car that is still genuinely Morgan. I love the fact that it's got that silky smooth, torquey straight six and an automatic transmission. There's no doubt that the motor industry in general is moving towards automatic transmissions, especially so with bigger engines, and with hybrid drives becoming the norm, the future will always be a two pedal driving experience.

The lack of traction control is probably down to the fact that the parameters of the vehicle the system was designed for are so different from the Morgan. The weight and wheel sizings and the point at which the system is calibrated for, would mean a huge amount of re-programming of ECU's, and would cost. Given the amount of R&D that BMW use, it's probably wise that Morgan didn't try to go it alone.

I can't wait to get some hands on with the Plus Six. I'm deliberately waiting until the fuss dies down and I can spend a little more time with one.

But is it a little TOO sanitised, though? The Roadster has the ability to be a Jeckyll & Hyde character, something that demands respect and something that will bite you hard if you abuse it. The big +8 is the same. Will the Plus Six turn out to be a similar character..? Hmmm..

I'm absolutely sure the Plus Six will bite it you don't respect it, but it may be more manageable than the Plus 8 as the torque "curve" is flat, delivering 500Nm from 1500 rpm to 4500rpm. So most normal driving the torque will remain the same, even though power increases. I think this means that it will be more predictable? But I'll bet that the back end will step out, if you push it.

I asked Steve Morris why there is no LDS. He said that it is safer and more predictable without one. Not sure I understand how that can be, he also said the car is simply too light for BMWs traction control, as used on the 700kg heavier M140i to work without massive re-programming = enormous cost. He also said it is more fun without traction control.

Sounds like a good reason.

With the LSD I could see the car putting all the power down and snapping quite sideways if you are at all out of line. Without the LSD one wheel is likely to spin the power away so you don’t get into trouble so quickly?

I like the modern auto boxes. With ZF6 in the Coupe it allows you have the GT experience if you are not up for a fight. If you have a clear safe road I love using the big metal lever in sport mode and use it manually nearly all the time. With the natural smooth Torque curve of a naturally aspirated engine the manual would be fine. With the sudden and massive torque curve of the IL6 turbo I would imagine you would chew through a few clutches if you are not careful. The power of the S2 through the manual is easier to manage than the Coupe because you have total control. If you are in a hurry (not a panic) it may as well be a four speed as this does everything. The engagement also makes it feel a lot quicker in my mind.

I think the drive to autos is as much to allow high numbers of ratios and the ability to hit emissions through best gear and low revs/high torque?

It looks like I am going to have to try o e out. I was hoping to wait for one with some audiable teeth if such a combination can exist?

Williams Morgan has the Aero Racing after market exhaust to fit, even though the standard one sounds better than I was expecting in Sport Plus mode.
It can never sound like a naturally aspirated V8, but I think it will sound as good as a turbo car can sound: it is the lack of inlet roar that I miss, the belching of a waste gate is no substitute!

I think this is very true, and most drivers would struggle with this power level and a manual box. But for me the essence of involvement in a sports car is three pedals and a stick.

I don't find two pedals in anyway enjoyable, and in fact it detracts hugely from what I want, even when you can paddle shift.

Over the years I've had a few auto rentals and in every case, couldn't wait to get rid. I've never had my own auto and never will, while ever manual boxes are around. Simple as that really.

I think I'm with you Dave.
Massive power doesn't do it for me. I don't do track days and don't seem to find roads on which I could use outrageous performance.
I get my fun choosing gears in advance, trying to match revs on changes and enjoying the narrow, flingable side of the Morgan.
Nick

I love my tin top auto for eating up motorway miles and would never go back to
a manual as a daily driver but when I drive my Mog, I want something different and shifting gears is all part of the experience

However having said all that if I had the funds and garage space to keep my 4 seater, I’d order a PlusSix tomorrow

And it would be all black apart from the chrome front grille
Black body, black hood, black leather, black wheels

Extras would be

Heated seats - for the wife of course (I’m getting soft)
Sports exhaust (couldn’t bear the quiet)
Luggage rack

And I’d get a three zip tonneau cover made by Allon White

That IS exactly my reply Stewart.

I would just add - having driven a BMW 140M on the track (the instructors make you use the paddles) the whole experience of changing using paddles IS fantastic, I would therefore use a PlusSix on the road in "paddle mode" as the experience is better than a manual box (when I felt the need)?

Manual v auto - an argument that will run forever!

I thoroughly enjoyed my Scimitar GTE automatic (Borg Warner 3 speed) and it made life very easy in the cities of Europe when we lived and worked out in Germany for a few years.

I think the way Krazy Horse converted a Plus 4 for a gent with a damaged leg to enjoy was a great service and were I to be in a similar situation I wouldn't hesitate getting one converted.

I prefer a stick but it's not the end of the world, I thoroughly enjoyed a Ford Galaxie in Canada for 4 months (1971) whilst working over there it's best to be flexible otherwise you are in danger of becoming an old fart.

Having said that were I to go the Plus 6 route in a couple of years time it would have to have a manual Getrag or similar, it won't be long coming plus an exhaust that doesn't sound like a moped..

As Steve says some cars are now only available as automatics. The alternative to the Jag, or perhaps that should be the other way round, was the Maserati Ghibli. It is only available with an auto gearbox. I still lust after one but other than it being a good bit more expensive than the Jaguar XE it is also heavier and I did not like the fact that it uses a cast iron Jeep block, and also AWD is only available in the more expensive and much more powerful version (different motor altogether). This would have left me with a much higher annual tax bill.

I have to say that if I could have had the same specification as the XE in the Ghibli for about the same money, or a little more, I would have chosen the Ghibli.

I agree with Dave W and think even 50KW manual is nicer than 500KW auto.

For my 50th birthday my wife bought me a super car day to enjoy with my son as passenger. I drove Maserati, Audi R8, Lamborghini, old Lotus, Porsche convertible and a Ferrari. All nearly new and autos with flappy paddles except for the lotus that was rather old with the synchro gone on third so I had to double shuffle. After two changes I got used to the accelerator and clutch and the gear changes were like butter, I loved it but everyone else whinged about it. The only issue was the old Lotus was very small and very uncomfortable. Since then I have driven my Silvia convertible on the same roads and enjoyed it more - probably because to me a $10,000 car with a proper manual is more fun than a $500,000 Ferrari with flappy paddles, but have to admit the Ferrari sounded fantastic.

My current cars are both manual, my 1988 Silvia convertible and a 2015 Skoda Octavia VRS wagon. Not sure if I will ever buy another new car as Skoda Australia have now dropped the manual option for all cars apart from the base model Octavia and the Fabia, I had a Subaru outback wagon, Ford Falcon wagon and a Mazda wagon before. When I need a new car I buy whatever is available with the correct gearbox, I just keep changing brands based on what is available in a manual. As I tell car dealers I am loyal to the left foot pedal not the brand.

My hopes are that a 150KW CX chassis manual Morgan will exist when I can afford to buy one.

Somewhere between 150KW and 180KW would be perfect. Actually, as you say, given the torque characteristics of a turbocharged engine, 150 KW is probably enough.

I switched to buying automatics for my daily driver around ten years ago when I was frequently getting stuck in traffic jams at the M25 Dartford Crossing. For those unfamiliar with it, this is a mysterious fault line in the time / space continuum that can magnify small traffic incidents and increase their scale to a million times greater than the original problem. Having wrought infernal misery upon the mortals trapped in this purgatory, the operators of the crossing then charge us an expensive toll for the privilege of enduring it. The constant tap dancing required by a manual gear shift became too much.

It is fair to say that the automatic gearshift also makes life a bit easier when trying to navigate around an unfamiliar city with busy traffic, but I also find the tremendous capabilities of my X3 combined with the ease of driving are not inspiring. In contrast I look forward to driving the Plus4 and I see it as 'real driving'. Thank goodness we can still have a real car!

40 years ago my first was a verry old green automatic 3 speed VW Jetta from a colleque. At that time I owned only 3 bikes so I brought it as "Winter Car" .

My actual car is now again an automatic!

Als many here have written: Automatic makes life easier!


I have only 10K km/ year covered with my Morgan so I have to take him on my trailer with me for my trips in east Germany.
That means many km traffic jam on the autobahn with my Morgan on the trailer. With my automatic Kodiaq I only have to lay back and follow the car in front of me ..

Hm.... would I drive an auto Morgan? I don't know
But a manual again as daily driver? No!

But to each his own! 😉

I like fun cars with a real manual gearshift. The everyday cars have been automatic for many years. When I had the AMG for a weekend I was impressed by the paddle version. But this is also a modern automatic with double clutch. You get the feeling that the car is doing what you tell it to do. With our everyday car it is still a conventional automatic, good enough to stand in a traffic jam but without driving fun in the real sense.
Emotionally I prefer a real gear shift to a paddle shift. No matter that I am slower and like to shift gears myself with love and appropriate time. It is most enjoyable when I shift the 1973/911 completely softly and without scratching. I love it. It's like shifting a school bus, so long are the movements.

I'm a complete convert to auto boxes. The 9 speed auto box on my SLC is absolutely brilliant, to the extent that I seldom use the flappy paddles. It also helps make the car incredibly economical in everyday use. These gearboxes are a world away from the old 3 speed slush boxes of yesteryear. I don't doubt that BMW's box is every bit as good as Daimler Benz's offering.

I do agree tho' from an emotional point of view with the feeling that a car such as a Morgan trad should be a manual, but I wouldn't be against it on principle without driving the new Plus Six. By all accounts, it is sensational.

Porsche made the PDK gearbox on the various models a few years ago the only option...

A couple of years later, back came the 'option' of a manual transmission!

For those of us 'old school' drivers. nothing gives more satisfaction that driving a manual... always in the right gear for not only the 'moment', but also the 'moment ahead'

Which is exactly what LGK Setright used to say... Auto gearboxes are only in the right gear for the view from the rear view mirror...

For me... a Morgan MUST be manual. In the same way as a Lotus, Porsche, or any other car that you want to 'interact' with will also be a manual.

I completely 'get' the amazing BMW 8 speed gearbox... it was perfectly suited to my M140i. However, for me, the 'M' in Morgan also means 'manual'! :>)

A manual version of the Plus 6 would make a mockery of the extreme performance available with the auto trans. A five or six speed manual box could simply not be shifted fast enough even if you chose optimum revs to change. You have to appreciate how quick the 8 speed auto on this car is. I would be surprised and maybe even dissapointed if MMC provided the option.

Have a manual box on your Morgan by all means, but not this one.

I disagree Richard!

I have driven the manual BMW M135i... basically the same engine, and it was hugely more fun and enjoyable to drive that the M140i auto.

It's not about shifting fast enough. It was about the driver/machine 'interface'. That is what a 'manual' box gives.

Thankfully however, we are all different! :>)

You want to have the correct gear "looking ahead"; just give the paddle a couple of flaps and go. I use it on occasions for passing, when I want to play, and when I want to control downhill speed without using the brakes all the time. I have no idea how the PlusSix is set up but on the Jag I have it set so that if I use the paddles in drive it goes manual, by holding + for about 3 seconds it changes back to auto, and if I haven't used the paddles for several minutes it goes back to auto. Of course I can always turn the selector to Sport Mode and then it is fixed in manual.

It takes a bit of getting used to the paddles and it would probably be easier with a stick "Sportmatic" system, a sort of clutchless manual.

- I'd like that option, so I'll ask about it tomorrow....

The ZF6 on the Coupe is similar.

If you just pull the handle back it is in lazy fully auto mode.

Back and to the left and it is in sport fully auto mode. Early change up and higher rev band as well as cruise in 5th not 6th in many cases.

When you start to manually change it leaves you to change up and down unless you force it by coming to halt without changing down etc. This is how I mostly drive it as it is the best fun and you are more in charge of the balance as other outline. Not as complete as a manual but then you can flip it to lazy mode when the road is stuffed with tin tops.

The S2 manual is definately the more wild and fun when the roads are clear enough and safe to go for a blast.

Interesting about manual vs auto. I have always, always been a manual man. But over the years as cars have got faster I really believe that auto is the way.

But why?

Power, torque and legislation.

All sports cars, super cars and hyper cars, as we all know, are getting faster.

I remember the day many many years ago taking delivery of my first Ferrari - the F40, now I thought at the time that nothing would come close to the sheer shov that car delivered. Today many can match it, but very few if any can match the thrill of the thing.

But that power comes with a heavy clutch. Rewarding yes.

Then many years later I was lucky enough to have a Carrera GT, perhaps the most rewarding manual car on Earth. But a pig to move around the drive, garage etc. Carbon clutch, light, but hard work.

Manual automated gearboxes. Had a few from Italy again, burnt clutches, jerky etc.

Then PDK.

911 TURBO S - this is the point where I realised so much torque and power would simply overwhelm the average driver. They are so quick with so much power that really the PDK was sensible and rewarding.

Morgan find themselves needing to deliver a more modern sports car. I have now driven my Plus 6 to 9/10ths and only come away thinking “fuck me” the only car that will give this a run for its money is a modern super car.

So the legislation bit, unlike a manual you can programme an auto to behave and get you through all the bullshit legislation.

Biggest bonus for me? My wife loves it. Oh and to get my fix on a manual, 3 is the magic number!

Personally, I found using 'paddles' very intuitive... it took 'seconds' to learn.

Same brain pattern... thinking of changing up or down, pull the right or left paddle.

Good fun... makes the most of an 'auto'... but still not as 'satisfying' as 'stirring the pudding' whilst tap dancing!

Depends how fast you can stir and tap I guess

With the Plus 6 in Manual and maybe Sport Mode you can still have the driver interface with paddle's, assuming you don't want to have auto changes at the redline. TBH in a straight line on open road I found I was just going through the motions with the paddle's rather than using them to any effect, and leaving this very light car in Drive, as others have suggested, would be just as effective. The fun would start on the twisty bits though especially given the auto blip when commanding down changes, which simply couldn't be replicated as quickly with your feet.

I've had a bike with an auto 'blipper' for clutchless changes going down the box. Milton Keynes roundabouts made you feel like Rossi..

Know what you mean SBM..Francis Rossi once he cut off his pony tail was reborn.

All together now..."Pictures of matchstick men and you....."

That is a great endorsement for the Plus Six, thanks for your opinion of the latest model always good to have feedback from the real world.

Increasing number of gears and increasing time in traffic jam just call for auto.
I love driving manual as race driving is not in my mind on public roads.
So for the company tin top - auto is best.
All the rest is manual...
And somehow I like the feeling of knowing a car better than any other person an being able to ride it smoothly at any speed;-)
Driving pleasure should be more than simply putting the foot down.

Miklos

Interestingly, Porsche have just announced they are bringing out a manual version of their latest 911 (992 model) with a 7 speed box. Acceleration will be less than the PDK - around 4 secs to 62mph rather than 3.2 secs! As if that matters for the ordinary owner. What matters more is the fact that they are offering a choice. They would not be doing this unless there was a considerable demand for a manual.
I agree that it might be impossible for MMC to offer a manual with the Plus 6, given the 8 cogs and power available etc., but if they were to bring out a CX chassis Plus 4 with a manual box I would be very surprised if it didn’t sell more units than the Plus 6.

Regardless of whether a Plus6 with manual transmission is controllable or not. The characteristic with manual transmission and clutch pedal to accelerate a car e.g. in 5 seconds from zero to 100 km/h is much more emotional than the same time with a modern dual clutch transmission. Why? Because the time you lose when shifting manually has to be compensated by a much more powerful engine with a horny power. And that's exactly what makes the emotional fun. Everything else is like the acceleration of a starting airplane or like an electric car. So more synthetic and boringly even.

I agree with both the above posts. ^^^^^

The Plus 4 CX should outsell the Plus Six. If they offer an auto as an option on this model, I wonder how many get built.

I know not the average of the contributors here, though I suspect the majority are of the baby boomer generation, and as such we have enjoyed a different lifestyle and opportunities than those available to the generations following on, and the influences that will affect the decision making processes of younger folk relative to motor vehicles seem very unlikely to match those which we have clung to in terms of a fun car..?

I suspect even amongst the baby boomers there are likely to be found divisions in ideals, perhaps those who were ever the practical hands on type and attracted to the idea of a "simple" sports car to maintain restore or improve the performance thereof came to understand and accept the Morgan related foibles as we came to learn of them, and perhaps found a measure of satisfaction in seeking to resolve them in a variety of ways.....? Perhaps a possibly different type of Morgan owner evolved some time later when those who either led very busy lives be it family or business commitments or both, equated to their desire to own a Morgan being put off till a later stage in life, thus unlike those who grew up with old sports cars, this group had perhaps run company and/or family cars over many years having them serviced by others, and enjoying the engineering evolution and related design advantages that have come to pass over the last 40 years or so...?

If indeed those two groups loosely exist, it seems possible that the digitisation of Morgans perhaps underlined that division, as those entering ownership at a later stage in life would seem to be somewhat disadvantaged or discouraged from trying to resolve foibles on increasingly complex systems, when it seems even dealerships were struggling to resolve issues at times. I suspect the discussion on forums over the years may reflect my thinking to some degree....or not...?

The late to ownership Morganeers may be conditioned/more accepting of the way evolution has affected the way that the MMC have been required to accept ever more modern influences to some degree, and perhaps none more obvious than the incorporation of an auto box...? The Auto box may indeed be a necessity as the result of the horse power increases taking performance to levels beyond average human competence to control it safely..? On the other hand dependant on where one lives and the traffic situations one may be faced with when heading out for an enjoyable drive, plodding through miles of stop go traffic with a heavy clutch required to transmit high levels of horse power before finding some free Tarmac..I note that Porsche 911 derivatives have also evolved to a stage where auto boxes if not a natural first choice to for "enthusiasts" have become far more common and accepted than we more mature types might ever have imagined, given the huge power output increases and amount of digital control required to keep the car from wandering off into the scenery...?

I also suspect the majority of folk even old duffers like me have become well used to the levels of comfort and functionality available in modern vehicles,and may even have gained an appreciation for an auto box..(-: and with the passage of time may have become inclined to leave the Mog in the garage and choose modernity for some journeys where in the past the Morgan would have been the automatic (no pun intended) preferred choice...? I have been to Morgan gatherings where the ratio of Morgans to mundanemobiles suggests my thinking may not be too wide of the mark..? (-:


As for those in their 20`s or 30`s today.... I suspect while they may consider Porsche as an iconic brand, and may have desires in that direction, I have real doubts if a Morgan might hold a similar attraction. I think the air cooled variety of Porsche that baby boomers and even those in their 50`s may prioritise (?) will loose market position as for obvious reasons the baby boomer influence diminishes with the passage of time, thus the more modern models with all the "desirable" options seem likely to be those that attract attention in future.... I think the CX Morgans like the water cooled Porsches seem to be an entirely appropriate stepping stone towards whatever future awaits, I also suspect it matters not a jot as to whether baby boomers might adapt or adopt relative to Morgan or Porsche etc.etc.etc. though quite how climate change thinking, associated political influences and regulation so related might play a part... I would not care to predict..

Well you did ask if I had any thoughts..

One problem with technology and related desirable options.....both have a shelf life, and when they stop working, it's either a massive bill, or the scrap pile.

That's assuming that the tech is even available.

Aircon is a classic example, but any in car, tech leads a hard life of heat/cold cycles, vibration and dampness.

A bit like Morgan drivers then

+1

I understood the BMW auto box on the Plus 6 has a torque convertor. It seems there is a general trend back to this technology to allow smoother changes.

You may be right about that. But in principle it was about the very fast shifting process no matter what technique achieved.

He's wrong. Its an enthusiasts car - hasnt he noticed how Porsche still make enthusiasts versions of their sports cars with manual boxes and sell out? The 911R for example. The argument about maximum potential is also wrong since most customers drive on the road and maximum potential isnt useable anyway.

I had an F type with that box and it was the worst part of the car. You ended up driving it in full auto mode because there were too many gears ( at some speeds you had a choice of 4 gears ) and you never knew which gear you were in without looking at the dash. The changes were impercepible. It was luxury car gearbox in what otherwise was quite a sports car.

I think this is exactly what Elliott was getting at. You can absolutely drive these cars at their maximum potential up to the speed limits on the road you are on. If I'd spent £xxx on a manual Morgan Pus Six or any other supercar for that matter, and somebody blew me away in an auto version of the same car I'd be pretty p****d off no matter how much fun I was having pushing the clutch and changing gear.

I don't think you can comment/argue - until you have driven the engine/auto set up in the car?

I have driven the BMW 140 - a few times and it is a spectacular piece of engineering.....as the Morgan has a lighter kerb weight, the changes through the gears will be even more impressive...

I think we need to be mindful - that Morgan HAVE chosen such a great set-up.....and the reviews have been so positive?

+1 who has driven the +6