Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) ARP4 up for sale...

The problem with that idea Peter is that the AR V6 already exists. I guess they could have made a touring version; the AR V6GT

I'm sure that what they wanted was a new version of the Plus 4 SS, but only in a roadgoing version. It seems that at least 25 of the 50 owners got what they expected, some are still trying to convince themselves that they made a good decision (to buy one) and about 10% found themselves with something that was not up to expectations and have either moved on or are looking to move on as soon as possible.

To me the AR P4 sits between the Plus 4 SS and the Baby Doll but strangely was not offered with race options like the Plus 4 SS, a very strange decision for the motorsports wing of Morgan. To market it as a fast sports tourer was clearly not appropriate and has misled a few people.

In this case a GT version of the AR V6 would probably have been a better choice. My feeling is that around 200hp is as far as you can push a 2 litre 4 cylinder engine for touring and even then variable cam timing is desirable. The 2.5 litre VVT 4 at a maximum of 220 hp would make an very nice fast 4 sports tourer.

Wesfield sports cars have just launched their new model fitted with a Ford 2.0 ltr Ecoboost 250bhp engine from the ST ..Focus coupled to a Mazda gear box .
Great torque and great power at much lower revs.
Now that must have cost a lot less to purchase than the Cosworth screamer and be much better suited to our car for touring .

I recently took delivery of my new 3.7 Roadster. Unfortunately, I missed the boat with regards to an ARP4 order, but there were certain styling elements of the ARP4 that I really liked, so had them included on my car.
Now if there had been an option of a road going ARV6, that's what I would've chosen. I certainly think a 3.7 Roadster appointed like an ARP4 would prove a popular model.

That sounds just perfect.

I think that the clue to the ARP4 was that you don't normally hear the words "Cosworth" and "Tourer" in the same sentence.

The Cosworth crate engines should be perfectly good for the road as well as track. They used to make a stunning 255bhp 2.3l Duratec with over 200lb ft which was a real stump puller, and whilst that extra 300cc makes a difference to torque, I find it hard to believe it makes so much difference. They are like quite different designs of engine to drive.

And very smart it looks too!

My son and I had a good look at the prototype at the kit car show.

We are to be invited to the factory - so that the son can test drive it!

That extra 300cc is 15% more but also the 2.3 is undersquare and has inherently more torque than the oversquare, but more lively, 2 litre duratec.

Yes it's strange but if you drive a 1600cc 4/4 and the hope in a 1800cc one you will immediately notice the difference ove more low down torque.

Yes it's strange but if you drive a 1600cc 4/4 and the hope in a 1800cc one you will immediately notice the difference ove more low down torque.[/quote]

I assume you mean 'hop' not 'hope' Adrian?

I think Peter has hit the nail on the head, it's all about the longer stroke of the 2.3 and now the 2.5 which gives it the torque that is missing in the 2.0l. Maybe the only way of filling in the mid range is by turbo or supercharging, sadly too expensive to contemplate.