Morgan V8 dead, new ‘Wide Body’ sports car coming – UPDATE
Locally, the Roadster is still available with a V6 engine, but the bent-eight is no more.
Morgan's range of V8 sports cars has fallen victim to strict WLTP regulations, leaving the Roadster V6 and 3 Wheeler its only offerings in Australia.
Update, 23/01/2019: Morgan has adapted its pricing again, bumping most of its sticker prices up by $1000. Availability has also changed. We've updated with the correct details.
According to a Morgan bulletin, there are just four production slots left for the 4/4 with an ADR compliant engine. Once they're snapped up, no more naturally-aspirated 4/4s will make it to our shores, and the factory "has not given any indication" whether a replacement model is coming.
They'll set you back $94,000 before on-roads, undercutting the Plus 4 and its $105,000 before on-roads sticker.
Speaking of the Plus 4, just nine ADR compliant build slots exist for that car. Should the orders be placed before the end of 2018, the company will do them in 110 Year Anniversary specification, which brings about a number of unique exterior and interior finishes.
Dead for 2019 are the Plus 8 and Aero 8, but the 3 Wheeler and Roadster V6 are still being offered Down Under, priced from $107k and $145k before on-road costs respectively.
The Roadster V6 now rides on a five-link rear suspension, along with a limited-slip differential and adaptive dampers.
Going forward, the company has admitted it's working on a new "up-market, premium price" model to top the range. Design studies and prototypes might surface next year, but the full production won't start until 2020.
The new 'Wide Body' model will be the "most dynamically capable production Morgan ever", and could include front fenders integrated into the bodywork for the first time in the brand's history.
What'll power the car hasn't officially been revealed, but a downsized, turbocharged V6 is looking likely.
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