Morgan Plus Four - 2024

A Modern Anachronism: The 2024 Morgan Plus Four

The 2024 Morgan Plus Four is not merely a car; it is a rolling paradox and a deliberate statement against the homogeneity of the modern automotive landscape. It exists as a masterful blend of 21st-century engineering and century-old coachbuilding techniques, a vehicle that is both deeply flawed by conventional metrics and profoundly appealing in its character. The 2024 model year sees a series of subtle, respectful refinements that modernize its appearance and enhance its dynamics without diluting the anachronistic soul that defines the brand.  

At its core, the Plus Four marries a technologically advanced bonded and riveted aluminum platform—the CX-Generation chassis introduced in 2020—with a hand-crafted ash timber frame that supports the bodywork. This fusion of materials is central to the car's identity, providing a rigid foundation for modern performance while retaining a unique character. The iconic silhouette, largely unchanged since 1950, remains its greatest asset, a timeless design that has become a strategic advantage in a market of ever-evolving shapes. The 2024 updates honor this legacy with subtle changes: new, larger LED headlights integrate the indicators for a cleaner look, the wings are cold-formed for a more muscular stance, and a new front splitter and rear diffuser add a touch of modern aerodynamic purpose.  

Beneath the hand-formed bonnet lies a thoroughly modern heart: a BMW B48 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine producing 255 bhp. This German powerplant, coupled with the car's featherlight dry weight of just over 1,000 kg, delivers formidable performance. Buyers face a choice that defines the car's personality: a six-speed manual gearbox for the purist, offering a tactile and engaging experience with 258 lb-ft of torque and a 0-62 mph time of 5.2 seconds, or a sophisticated eight-speed ZF automatic that unlocks the engine's full 295 lb-ft of torque and achieves the sprint in a blistering 4.8 seconds. This modern powertrain is made possible by the CX-Generation platform, which also facilitates a fully independent double-wishbone suspension, a monumental leap from the archaic systems of its predecessors that transforms the car's on-road capability.  

To drive the Plus Four is to engage in a raw, mechanical, and demanding dance. The experience is defined by an unfiltered connection to the road. While the standard suspension offers "good old-fashioned fun," the optional Dynamic Handling Pack is considered a transformative upgrade. Developed with suspension specialist Nitron, it adds stiffer springs, adjustable dampers, and a rear anti-roll bar, imparting a newfound poise and accuracy that allows the chassis to fulfill its potential. Even so, the car demands attention, rewarding a driver who learns its rhythm rather than one who expects clinical precision.  

This commitment to character comes at the cost of practicality. The cabin is a beautiful but cramped showcase of leather and wood, with ergonomic quirks like centrally-mounted primary dials and unintuitively placed switches. There is no boot; luggage space is limited to a small shelf behind the seats, making the optional luggage rack a near-necessity for any trip. Weather protection is rudimentary at best, with the hand-fitted fabric roof offering only a suggestion of shelter from wind and rain at speed. While the modern BMW components promise improved reliability, owner forums for early CX-generation cars report significant "teething issues," including radiator failures and electrical gremlins, highlighting a potential disparity between the mass-produced parts and the hand-assembled elements.  

The Plus Four does not compete directly with rivals like the Porsche 718 Boxster or Alpine A110; it offers a philosophical alternative. The Porsche is the rational choice, a benchmark of precision, quality, and usability. The Alpine is a champion of modern lightweight design and agility. The Morgan is the emotional, irrational choice—a statement of defiance purchased for the joy of its imperfections and the purity of its driving experience. It is a car whose success is measured not by lap times, but by the smiles and friendly waves it generates. The 2024 Plus Four, with its thoughtful refinements, stands as the most resolved version of this philosophy to date, leveraging modern technology not to erase its quirks, but to ensure they can be enjoyed for generations to come.