Sports cars : the ticket to on-road thrills and an escape from the mundane that so many of us pine for. Throughout the auto industry's long history, there are too many iconic sports cars that have given us endless joy to mention - it would just be easier to name the models that are sorely overlooked and forgotten, and, among many others, we have models like the Abarth 124 Spider, the Chrysler Crossfire SRT6, the FNM 2000 Onca, and the Kellison J6 Panther , that all deserve another look.
Arguably, though, it is models by the British marque, Morgan , that don't get the recognition they deserve despite their iconic status. All of their models boast a classic British charm, old-school design cues, lightweight builds, real driver connection, and some impressive engine options. They may look like something from the 1950s, but you can still buy a new Morgan today, and they still deliver in terms of on-road open-top thrills .
We are taking a look at this iconic British sports car and have brought you information about its history, what you get from the turbocharged engine under the hood, why it still stands out as a fantastic sports car, and how you can get your hands on one today.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Morgan and other authoritative sources, including SKY Automobiles' YouTube Channel, J.D. Power, and Classic.com.
A Timeless Classic With Modern Tech: The Morgan Plus Four
As champions of building some of the best new old cars ever, we are no strangers to seeing Morgan roll out some classy, beautiful, maybe somewhat hare-brained roadsters over the years, but this year marks a good year on the calendar for classic sports car fans, as the Morgan Plus Four is back on sale in the U.S.A.
Showcasing early 20th-century looks, a luxurious interior, a lightweight chassis, oodles of style and class, a proportionally powerful engine, an old-school purist sports car setup, and just enough modern features to keep some modern drivers happy, it is everything that the iconic British brand is known for, and for many of us, it’s exactly how we’d draw a sports car we’d want to put together in our garages.
Morgan's Legendary Automotive History
Founded in 1910 in Malvern, England, Morgan has been crafting cars with soul and dedication ever since. Their first creation was a three-wheeled single-seat runabout powered by a V-twin engine that was light, fast, and resembled a motorbike with lofty ideas rather than a car.
But that is what Morgan is here for; they make vehicles that are completely different from what we usually see. Their little three-wheeler has had a huge impact on the market and has been knocking around in different forms for decades, but was finally launched for all of us back in 2011.
In 1936, Morgan unveiled their first four-wheeled creation, the 4/4 (four wheels and four cylinders in the engine). This model has evolved through the generations and is still one of the longest-running production cars in the world. The Plus Four and the beefier Plus Eight followed, mixing a lightweight body build with hefty engines, while the Aero 8, which was introduced in the 2000s, took a step into modernity with a BMW V-8 under the hood and styling that turned heads back then, and still does today. There aren't many brands, or any, that do it like Morgan does; always sticking to a classic design that is made for purist drivers.
What Makes The Morgan Plus Four So Hard To Ignore Today
Morgan's ethos has always been about individuality, craftsmanship, and a love for driving. No two Morgan models are the same; they are all hand-built, with ash wood frames and aluminum panels. They embrace tradition but aren't afraid to innovate, as we have seen with the recent CX Generation chassis (which is utilized for the new Plus Four) and the all-electric XP-1 prototype, but it is the new model of the old-school, classic, and smile-inducing Plus Four that will turn heads like no other car on our roads this year.
From sight alone, you'd think it was a 1950s British roadster, which is always going to catch our eye; it has the proven blend of classic charm on the outside and modern performance guts underneath. You get all the vintage curves, exposed wheels, and hand-finished detail, but you also get a modern turbocharged BMW inline-four under the hood. The main thing, aside from the bespoke craftsmanship of the Plus Four, that we won't be able to ignore is that nothing else on the road looks like it. While most other sports car makers have opted to go down the ultra-modern route, Morgan has stuck to their guns and kept to the old-school design.
Morgan Plus Four Performance Specifications
There is one engine option for the new Morgan Plus Four, but it is a very handy one to have in such a lightweight roadster and comes in the form of a BMW bi-turbo inline-four.
The Plus Four only weighs in at 2,233 pounds dry, which, with the featured 258-horsepower engine, gives you a decent power-to-weight ratio of 0.11 horsepower-per-pound, or just under what the 473-horsepower/3,324-pound 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera S can muster (0.13 horsepower-per-pound).
A Punchy Engine And Nimble Handling
The Plus Four boasts a 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower inline-four, which features a closed-deck aluminum block, a twin-scroll turbocharger, which helps to minimize lag, direct fuel injection, Valvetronic variable valve lift, and Double VANOS VVT. It is all part of Morgan's dedication to offering classic styling with modern performance - a match made in heaven for a lot of sports car buffs.
The mill also boasts a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods, a water-to-air intercooler, which is integrated into the intake plenum and helps to enhance throttle response, and a dual-circuit cooling system that takes care of the cylinder head and crankcase temperature, so everything is kept in check when you're gunning it.
Paired with the CX-Generation bonded aluminum platform, the lightweight build and powerful engine make the Plus Four a proper driver's car. The lightweight build is Morgan's most important asset and sets it up to be a tight-handling and sharp-responding roadster.
Double wishbone suspension at the front and rear is designed to offer direct feedback and balance, while the low center of gravity, low ride height (six inches unladen), and a near 50:50 weight distribution mean that you can make the most of the BMW engine in the corners. The steering is unassisted, giving you raw, unfiltered feedback from the road, and the chiseled body and nose aren't just for vintage looks, but help to cut through the air and keep you planted. All-in-all, Morgan has created another pure driver's machine.
Classic Style Meets Modern Tech In This Old-School-Looking Morgan
You may think that the Plus Four didn't come with much in the way of modern amenities, considering what the exterior design looks like, but underneath its classic, handcrafted British silhouette, it does well for a modern roadster. Inside, you get premium materials throughout, including hand-trimmed leather upholstery and real wood accents, but you also get a digital driver information display nestled between all the vintage gauges, which have been strategically placed to not draw attention away from the timeless feel of the interior.
The Plus Four also boasts features that we are used to finding in most modern vehicles , including LED lighting, optional air conditioning (if the drop top isn't enough), central locking, keyless start, and a high-quality audio system. So, for a car that looks like it has never been anywhere near a smartphone, it is relatively well-equipped for the modern road.
How To Get Your Hands On A Morgan Plus Four In The U.S.A.
You'd be forgiven for letting Morgan slide under your radar, considering that it was only in 2023 that they returned to the U.S.A. (after nearly 20 years) with their three-wheel Super 3, and it was only last year that the Plus Four was reintroduced to our market. In 2025, though, you can now buy a new Morgan again.
The Morgan Plus Four has a starting price of $84,995 here in the U.S.A., but it is not as simple as turning up to one of the very scarce Morgan dealerships here (there are only 12): you have to register your interest in one. Numbers are going to be limited to only 325 models per year, so competition is going to be hot if you fancy one. It is straightforward to get a spot in the queue, and you have to do the following for a chance to own one:
- Find A Morgan Dealership (in person or online): Use the Morgan USA website to do this.
- Register Your Interest: You need to send your details to register your interest.
- Pay A Deposit: Because of the low production numbers, Morgan is asking for a 10–20 percent deposit upfront.
- Customize And Confirm
Each Plus Four is hand-built at Morgan's factory in Worcestershire, England, and takes around 30 days for each build to be completed. You then have to have it delivered from England, which, unfortunately for Morgan at the moment, isn't getting a break from the latest tariffs , so you can expect the price to go up above $120,000 before you add any extras on. But, if you are willing to part with that kind of money, what you do get is a wholly unique, hand-built and purist sports car that is seldom seen over here.
Custom Options To Make Plus Four Even More Special
If the classic style and impressive BMW engine aren't quite enough, luckily, Morgan understands that a unique car needs to be just that, and you can customize it within an inch of its life to make it truly yours and truly worth the import fees. Of some of the upgrades you can bolt on to the Plus Four, some of the standouts include:
- Classic Solid Color Paint Jobs: You get options like Classic Sport Red and Classic Dove Gray, which are both priced at $1,105 extra.
- Metallic Finishes: Colors such as Metallic Ice Blue and Metallic Graphite will cost you an extra $1,900.
- Special Finishes: Two-tone paint schemes add $2,217 to the price, while if you are looking for a matte finish, Morgan will give you a POA.
- 15-Inch Black Alloys: These will cost you $1,105 extra.
- 15-Inch Polished Wire Wheels: They look very classic but come at a premium cost of $4,400.
- Dashboard Upgrades: You can choose between Matte Silver Painted, Matte Black, Gloss Black, Gloss Body Colored, and Matte Body Colored finishes for the dash for between $580 and $840 extra.
- Audio System Upgrade: You can upgrade the standard audio system to a Sennheiser Premium Sound System.
- Puddle Lights And Automatic LED Front And Rear Lighting
Morgan's Other Models and What's Available in the U.S.A.
If a new Morgan is slightly out of your price range, the good news is that you can pick up a third-generation Morgan Plus Four (2005–2020) for an average auction price of just $52,322 . There have only been eight sold in the last five years, showing their all-around rarity, and prices have ranged from $28,545 to $78,730. You still get the classic stylings that make them so alluring, plus a decent Ford inline-four under the vintage-looking hood. If you don't mind waiting for delivery and paying import fees, though, Morgan offers only one other model from new here in the U.S.A., and it is even more unique than the Plus Four; the Super 3.
A Look At Their Current U.S. Lineup
Yes, there is only one other model offered by this iconic British brand still available for sale new here in the U.S.A., and it is certainly different from most other models we see on our roads. The Super 3 is a three-wheel sports car that looks like it would feel like flying a small plane thanks to its tiny dimensions, open-top cockpit design, light weight of around 1,400 pounds dry, and the 118-horsepower 1.5-liter Ford inline-three that can sprint it to 60 MPH in seven seconds and give you a top speed of 130 MPH.
The entire vehicle is built on a lightweight aluminum monocoque chassis, with a double-wishbone front suspension managing the two front wheels and a single coil-over monoshock absorber handling the single rear wheel. Prices are lower than those of the Plus Four; you do get less horsepower, reduced usability, and one less wheel, and prices start at just under $54,000 before taxes, import fees, and destination fees. Nonetheless, Morgan has excelled in delivering uniqueness and old-school sporting fun.
Which Morgan Models You Can't Buy New Anymore
Unfortunately, there are more models that Morgan once offered that we can't get new here. Of them, the most aggravating iteration we can't have is the Morgan Plus Six , boasting a robust 3.0-liter BMW inline-six that delivers 335 horsepower and propels the 2,370-pound roadster to 60 MPH in approximately 4.4 seconds. Production of this incredible car concluded earlier this year, and even the European market can no longer obtain it.
We have also lost out on the Aero 8, which saw its last model roll out of the factory in 2018 and can produce 367 horsepower; the Plus 8, which saw us see another sports car dropping the legendary V-engine , and once again left the market in 2018 with its 4.8-liter BMW V-8 under the hood. The Morgan 4/4, which, although it wasn't powerful or fast, did pay homage to Morgan's first-ever four-wheel car. Although the Morgan lineup is limited in the new market here, we can still enjoy what the British marque is good for: old-school looks, connected driving feel, and something completely different from everything else on the market today.
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