Morgan, known for its range of retro-styled sports cars, has released something rather out of the ordinary for the British company, the Plus Four CX-T, built for 'overland adventure.' Worry not: Morgan isn't about to get into the SUV market.
Instead, Morgan is hoping to invoke the spirit of its early days, where its cars competed in all-terrain endurance trials. In fact, that's what the 'T' in the name stands for. The CX part references Morgan's modern CX-Generation platform that underpins the regular Plus Four and Plus Six models.
Rally Raid exterior makeover
At a glance, you might wonder what all the fuss is about, as the CX-T initially looks like a Plus Four riding on off-road tyres with extra rally lighting on the roof. There's a lot more to it.
In fact, Morgan turned to Rally Raid UK for help developing the CX-T - a renowned motorsport company with lots of experience in the field of rally raid, including the mighty Dakar Rally.
It started with a makeover for the Plus Four's suspension, using modified Plus Six wishbones to allow a wider track. EXE-TC coilover assemblies were designed for the Morgan, with internal bump-stops, while the bushes in the lower suspension arms have been upgraded to enhance durability.
Full underbody protection was fitted, comprising five individual plates, while a bespoke exhaust system was designed, exiting to the side at the back to allow for a better departure angle for off-road driving, and to help with increasing ground clearance.
Morgan quotes a 'drive-over obstacle clearance' of 230mm, helped by the high-profile off-road tyres and new suspension components.
Though there doesn't appear to be a lot of clearance in the wheelarches for the wheels to move up and down over rough terrain, the space within has been altered to allow the suspension compress effectively.
The rear of the car gets new bodywork to accommodate a bespoke equipment rack that holds two full-sized spare wheels, two ruggedised and waterproof Pelican luggage cases, a Zarges aluminium tool/storage box and two Rotopax 11-litre containers for water and fuel. There's space for 'recovery equipment' too for extreme off-roading.
Morgan says that the CX-T's obvious 'exoskeleton' roll cage can also be adapted to carry items such as bikes or surfboards, while the removable side screens can be mounted on the composite hard top, which is unique to this model.
Everything close to hand
All the equipment on the outside is designed to be quick and easy to reach when required, and that's a strategy applied to the interior upgrades, too. There you'll find a first aid kit mounted between the seats at the back and an insulated cool bag in the passenger footwell.
CX-T-branded leather seats are fitted, as is a RAM mount rack on the dashboard to hold a smartphone etc.
BMW power and tech
Morgan hasn't mentioned any specific powertrain changes, other than a raised air intake and the new exhaust, so it is assumed that the BMW-supplied, turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is found under the characteristically long bonnet. That bonnet line has been raised, incidentally, in the name of better engine bay cooling.
In the regular Plus Four, there's 258hp and 400Nm of torque sent to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed automatic.
Morgan does confirm that the CX-T gets a new electronically controlled rear differential from BMW that allows for three different modes called Road, All-Terrain and All-Terrain - Extreme. In the latter setting, the differential is locked fully to help tackle low-grip surfaces.
Only eight examples of the CX-T will be built, each to the buyer's exact specification, and each will cost some €200,000 plus local taxes, which translates into 'preposterously expensive' for Irish registration, unfortunately.