Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Plus Four, Supersport & Plus Six (CX & CXV Generation Vehicles) Clarkson Review of Supersport 400

Clarkson gives a great review of the Supersport 400 in Sunday's STimes Magazine. Driving as it's meant without roof or sidescreens - "I've fallen in love with a car I thought I was going to fall out of"

It is a really good review. 👍🏻😁

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Can't stand the buffoon, pity he didn't fall out of it ash chassis et al...

Clarkson is not someone I would take advice from. But then most motoring journos live outside my reality. They spend a couple of hours on the road 'testing', edit 20 minutes for YouTube, and think they get any car.

Unless you spend time with any car, you will never get it. So many make that mistake. Buy something after a brief encounter, and trade it after a year. It's common. Do a road trip. Do over 1000 miles in a week. Take luggage. At the end of that week you will know that car.

Lecture ends.

Whilst I agree with your senttiments, few sellers will allow you the luxury of having use of the car for a long weekend away, if most people knew what they were really getting into, the retail motor trade would shrink overnight. I think you only get to really know a car when you have driven it, in the worst possible weather conditions, on a boiling hot day, a really cold slippy and wet autumn, and during the winter.......that exposes all the limitations of the wipers, the seals, the grip, the ambility to run cool and get warm..As many Morgans are garage queens usually summer use only,, I don't think a lot of people really get to know their cars as much as they could or should and with it explore it's inherent strengths and glaring weakness to the full.

I don't remember Seamus having a heater and have fond memories of heading into the centre of Brum for a meeting in a suit, full length sheepskin jacket having travelled 120 miles thru a snow storm down the M6........I certainly got to know Seamus quite well that day.

Having met a couple I would like to offer a bit of a counter to that "how can they tell in 10 minutes" approach but at the same time agree.

They drive so many cars that the general "better at this and worse at this" can be learnt across a broad range of cars. So their ability to compare across makes/ranges/models does give them an advantage. We got into a discussion how the top and bottom of a car range can feel very different and their observations were really enlightening. It was a clear point that the blurring of vendors (Stellantis and its litter, VW Group likewise) made this almost unimportant. I would love to do some blind tests and see if they can work out what they are in!

On the other hand your personal goals for a car can be so far from there general observations and I guess Morgan is definitely in the group of "personal taste identified" A bit like running a Bristol, McLaren or TVR. You know what you want from the event when you go for a rumble. Our specific interest in a non-conventional offering is likely to have been developed over time.

I had a load of crazy hot hatches and rocket ships but roads are no longer really capable of sustaining this as I have grown up in the South of the UK. So a more enjoyable, less extreme, but lovingly accepted mode meant an Aero worked. Not for everyone thats for certain. Not as quick, not quite the level of handling, definitely not better made. But way more engaging as an arrival experience.

I think the change in the source of our education around the modern vchicles also counts for some of this. We first had 2-3 car magazines, Car, Autocar, Motor plus some specialist press developed. Then we got TV and Top Gear. Now it is through the Interweb and Youtoob. The sheer number of "self selected experts" on Youtube is amazing. The competition between them to get views (leading to increased promotion) and likes (leading to money) means they need to differentiate more. So we get click-bait titles and "contentious opinions" intended to differentiate and draw users. I don't think most of them add much. I think Clarkson almost pre-dated this by being outspoken to get attention on himself much earlier. I do remember seeing a video about his early career somewhere but cannot find it now.

I notice Grand Tour announced their presenters a short time ago. Two quite well known YouTubers who have done a lot of fun reviews and are petrol heads. Plus a train spotter (meant only as a light joke). Is it progressing more towards "general entertainment" in the same way Top Gear did, it will be interesting to watch. I like them.

He may be a divisive figure but as he’s probably driven 1000’s of cars, and definitely all the good ones, his opinion matters.
As one of the most, if not the most, recognised motoring journalist……. in the world……. manufacturers want his positive reviews. 😁
I bet the folk at the factory are overjoyed…..!😁

Let’s see what Harry Metcalf has to say in the next few weeks, because I’d imagine he’ll get one for a test.

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I have been lucky over the years to enjoy a lot of rentals, Some for work, some for holidays. Some over 1,000 miles. Within that experience were a number of realisations. I remember being given a diesel Mondeo, way back. I had no modern diesel experience. After 1,000 miles my opinion was changed. It was an amazing package. I then realised that modern diesels worked for me and made it my plan to test a diesel Golf. Which turned out to be even better. At that time, the VW Dealership also did rentals, plus courtesy cars which resulted in me going through the VW range, In addition, other rental companies provided a mix of brands, and types.

This is why I know what I like. This is why I don't like autos and DSGs. I don't like cruise control and electric handbrakes. They add nothing to my involvement. I don't like SUVs and people carriers. Done it all, and at the end of a holiday you have the taste or you don't.

Disappointmants, as already mentioned......the Elise, although a short drive only was so disappointing. And Audi A4 Avant, auto, which I expected to tick most of the boxes was rubbish. All fancy lights and showroom bling, but no substance. I could go on, but you get the picture.

Clarkson may have driven hundreds of cars but he lives in his millionare's bubble, and for me, his opinions are irrelevant.

Is there a way of seeing the review without trying to find the Sunday paper?

I absolutely love autos, cruise control, electric handbrakes, head up displays, etc etc……😁
I want to be insulated from the other idiots on the road in my own personal space.
I do not need driver involvement, a sporting ride or ultra high performance….!

I’ve owned over 60 cars and driven……. who knows…… I sold cars for a few years…!!🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️
My regular countryside trip to the nearest town of 6 miles has 8 changes of speed limit and is regularly blighted by speed cameras….!

I waft…… in a 530d touring…… perfection…!!!😎

However…….. the antidote, the absolute polar opposite to all that cosseting tech and comfort…… is a trad Morgan……!!!🥳🥳🥳🥳 perfection.

Love him or loath him, Clarkson’s opinion counts.🤷🏼‍♂️😁

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To quote Mr Clarkson “But my God it’s exiting. You feel like you’ve been ejected from a cannon most of the time…”

Small wonder with 400 horses on the leash of a car weighing 1.2 tonnes.

Then we have “it still looks like the sort of car Christopher Plummer would have used to visit Susannah York”.

Presumably he believes Julie Andrews would not have approved...

Entertaining journalism certainly, but not entirely convincing on the 400 IMHO.

I’m glad that JC likes the car, because it’ll help Morgan sell a few more. I’ll be interested to try the 400, to see if it feels any different to the standard Supersport, and if it feels as quick as our EV!

I am happy that some of you rate his opinion, he is a self appointed expert in my book whose ego is carried on his paunch and he is a total irrelevance to me as are his erstwhile cohorts. They live in a vacuum far away from my world gladly and their opinions are for the masses not for those of us that have had years more experience of the real world and the vehicles it has to offer.

To quantify that from 1968 onwards I have been fortunate enough to be supplied with free company transport so everything from a Ford 5cwt 105e van to Fargo 7Ltr V8 4x4 pick up in Canada working on Wolfe Island in the Eastern end of Lake Ontario (America) delete as you see fit.
Holden Monaro GTS in RSA on dirt roads being the most memorable.
The Ami 8 the most loved and the Reliant Scimitar GTE the most enjoyed at high speed working in Germany.

Many Sierras and Mondeos and the stand out was the Ford Orion 1.6 GL it was a stormer with great handling and left Stornoway at 0500 onto the ferry and back to Stoke Fleming via Bristol Temple Mead by 1800 for the evening meal with the family. Route taken.

There was scant coverage of revenue collectors in those days and it earnt me my company nickname of "low flyer" as they knew my late fathers history as a wartime Spitfire jockey.

The Plus 8 remains top of my tree and the 4/4 Sport a tie with it's lissome handling.

I have never listened to any other persons advise on cars and that won't be changing especially from an oversized spoilt brat who does seem to appeal to the masses of unwashed.
At least he would appear to have seen a chink of light through his Ash chassis and his farm yarding and Blue tongue

You all enjoy him for me do anything that keeps the MMC trading is good news but you don't have to like the buffoon..

So annoyed we cancelled the ST whilst away on vacation .
Phew, he certainly divides opinions.
I used to see him years ago driving at the bottom of ‘our road’. He was a big lump, big hair and head and terrible completion, white heads …. driving Escort's and other Ford’s. Looked very odd and oversized in a Ford Escort sport or was it a Mexico .
I enjoy his writing like I did Rod Liddle, both ST columnists They make me chuckle.
My wife really did not like him but Clarksons farm has changed that.
For us he is just entertainment. Would take some interest in his views on cars , farming, and other stories but not be swayed, make my own mind up . He is just entertainment in general.
MM
PS Thank god he is not a food critic, then I would be trouble as I find many of those a pita !
Still not seen a Morgan in 5 weeks away in euroworld.

And prey who is Harry Metcalf - a nearby farmer friend of his trading calves as the name suggests?

Clarkson for prime minister?

Perfect as they are only in post a matter of days.

Clarkson was forged in Doncaster/Rotherham, and his style and presentation is what you will find from any car pretender within ten miles of here. It's not solely his personal style, its the way people talk and think hereabouts.

His dry humour can be funny but he is way past his sell by date. I actually agree totally with Rich.

Keeping it real Dave as per 🙏

He is actually a nearby farmer…😁…. I think that’s how he made his money….. but he was also editor of EVO magazine and is one of the most respected motoring journalist in the country.
He’s not a youngster with a baseball cap, doesn’t power slide or J turn cars and seems pretty ‘normal’.
He does however…… have a YouTube channel where he reviews cars as well as talking about and driving his own collection of cars……
He even has a farming YouTube channel ‘Harry’s Farm’, which as the title suggests, is all about his agricultural business. For anyone who wants a look at how difficult being a farmer is it’s definitely worth watching.
He also…….. gave the plus four a good review…😁

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I quite like Harry Metcalfe's stuff, I think he genuinely expresses what he actually thinks - unlike Clarkson, who on multiple occasions has confessed that he simply writes what he is paid to write .

It does make me chuckle how Clarkson has become the 'hero of the farmers', when it was his actions that caused all the issues in the first place.......

Not far off the mark then as a calf trader.

I’ll check out a bit of his output.

I'm not big on Harry, but after watching his Fezza trip on part of the NC500, my respect increased, because he knows what that is about, and you can't fake it.

Yes Harrys Garage is one of my staples. He is not loud and understands why people have different tastes. He is also not blind to all the greenwashing going on by government etc.

The farm is a pittance and anyway has doubled in value from 6m to 12m (might not be correct) but his net worth is 60 to 70m - he has a massive IHT bill looming or his beneficiaries have.

Buying these fancy hi tech driverless tractors won’t save him from the old fashioned grim reapers scythe.

Yep, it's all just another expensive plaything for Clarkson. However, if he'd not been so open and blatant about abuisng the system and buying a farm to avoid paying IHT, then the Gov wouldn't have closed that loophole. As a result he's ended up stiffing a whole bunch of farmers for whom farming is a livelihood and way of life.

Whilst also being pretty committed to reducing hs own carbon footprint as much as possible - running green fuel in his cars for example.

I've just noticed that Harry Metcalf has already reviewed the Supersport......... a year ago...!!!!
He did 500 miles in the press car and loved it....🤷🏻‍♂️

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Here is he clarkson article for non subscribers
https://archive.is/20260829200502/https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/driving/article/morgan-supersport-400-review-jeremy-clarkson-tbmg3lgwb

Thanks . V interesting stuff.

Great article, had me laughing for the right reasons. Surprised after all that he only gave it 3 stars.

I really enjoy rewatching some old episodes of Top Gear featuring Jeremy Clarkson
one of my favorite moments is when he tests the Brutus—the car Lucifer would drive if he came back to Earth.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brutus_(car)

In fact, it’s a car I saw being demonstrated at the Auto e Moto d'Epoca show in Padua, before it moved to Bologna