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.


Ian

A convert to the joy of Morgans after years of motorcycles