Morgan Supersport revealed as £100k Porsche 911 rival

The Supersport – which continues to use BMW’s 335bhp B58 six-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit – is built around an evolved version of Morgan’s CX aluminium spaceframe, dubbed CXV to reflect how substantially it has been upgraded.

The steering system has been overhauled and rerouted for a boost in feel and responsiveness; the standard suspension has been optimised for a more compliant ride, with 30mm more active travel; the rear subframe mounts have been reworked; and extra chassis reinforcements increase torsional rigidity by 10%.

Morgan managing director and chief technical officer Matt Hole (pictured below) said: “We have gone ground-up through the design again, looking at all the attributes we want the car to have, and how we could engineer them back in. Fundamentally, we’ve changed the structure of the chassis.” Hole explained that the goal was to inject the Supersport with added dynamic prowess while also improving its touring credentials.

“We wanted something that flows down the road, so the car does move on its suspension, and we are making the most of that additional travel,” he said. “There is a bit of body movement. There is some anti-dive geometry in the rear of the car now that helps the car as it sets off. That’s something that we haven’t had before. But the idea is to use the travel and control the wheels.”

Crucial to the car’s more composed and controllable character is a new set of 19in forged alloy wheels that weigh just 9.7kg apiece. That represents a saving of 4kg in unsprung weight per corner over the Plus Six. More conventional 18in cast items are available, but even they are the lightest cast wheels that Morgan has yet produced.

Meanwhile, new Michelin tyres have been chosen for the distinctive dynamic character they support, rather than merely being the grippiest options available.

But just as important as the Supersport’s dynamic enhancements are the various ways in which Morgan has sought to address what Wells refers to as some of “the minor quirks of living with a Morgan” and to make it more viable for use in all weathers and over longer distances.

For example, the roadster now has a boot that opens electronically off the key fob and – together with an enlarged load space behind the seats – can accommodate enough luggage for a weekend away. It can also house the removable side screens, which are now detached much more easily and smoothly using the door handles.

There’s a glovebox under the dashboard plus a new wireless phone charger in the centre console and a hands-free calling system. In addition, the convertible’s tricky Tenax roof fasteners have been swapped for simpler poppers, and the door hinges now have locking points built in so they don’t close themselves when parked on a hill.