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Aug 24th, 2023
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 6,470 Likes: 30
Talk Morgan Sage
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Talk Morgan Sage
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 6,470 Likes: 30 |
My turn tomorrow 
Richard
2018 Roadster - Red/Magnolia - Morton
1966 Land Rover S2a 88 - Lenny
1945 Moto Guzzi Airone
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 6,470 Likes: 30
Talk Morgan Sage
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Talk Morgan Sage
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 6,470 Likes: 30 |
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
2018 Roadster - Red/Magnolia - Morton
1966 Land Rover S2a 88 - Lenny
1945 Moto Guzzi Airone
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 14
Smile, it confuses them Member of the Inner Circle
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Smile, it confuses them Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 14 |
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.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 27,546 Likes: 10
Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
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Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 27,546 Likes: 10 |
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.
Graham (G4FUJ) D8921 L44FOR '93 4/4 Giallo Fly 2 seat  '90 LR 90 SW
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 6,470 Likes: 30
Talk Morgan Sage
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Talk Morgan Sage
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 6,470 Likes: 30 |
Nice commentary on the positives and negatives. How big was the smile at the end is my question? mild, big, jaw aching ?
Probably mild, although in fairness I suspect a longer drive by myself on challenging roads may allow that smile to broaden.
Richard
2018 Roadster - Red/Magnolia - Morton
1966 Land Rover S2a 88 - Lenny
1945 Moto Guzzi Airone
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 6,326 Likes: 15
Just barreling along Talk Morgan Sage
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Just barreling along Talk Morgan Sage
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 6,326 Likes: 15 |
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
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 904 Likes: 2
Talk Morgan Regular
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Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 904 Likes: 2 |
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; 22/08/19 11:02 AM.
Brian
Jersey and Spain
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 465
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 465 |
Should have been homologated in Italy!
Dark Red 4/4 80th Anniversary
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,587
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,587 |
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 .
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,948
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,948 |
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."
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