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1952 "flat radiator" Morgan +4

1963 Morgan +4

The Morgan +4 was introduced in 1950 as a larger-engined ("plus") car than the 4–4. The +4 used the 2088 cc Standard Vanguard engine, while the 4–4 used a Standard Special 1267 cc engine (1950–58). Later +4s used Triumph TR2–TR4 engines (1954–1969). +4 production was suspended in 1969 but brought back in 1985 with a Fiat engine (1985–1988) and then a 4-cylinder Rover engine (1988–2000). Production was again suspended and the Plus 4 returned once more in 2004 with a 155 bhp (116 kW; 157 PS) Ford 4-cylinder. +4+ .

Morgan +4+

A version of the +4, designated the +4+, was made from 1964 to 1967 with a contemporary fibreglass coupe body. The light weight and reduced drag characteristics improved the performance of the +4+ over the regular +4 in every aspect. However, the traditional Morgan enthusiasts did not embrace this departure from Morgan custom, and mainstream enthusiasts did not embrace the seemingly archaic +4 chassis. Only 26 +4+ cars were built. Morgan 4/4 [edit]

1974 Morgan 4/4

The 4–4 was replaced by the 4/4 in 1955. The 4/4 now uses the +8 chassis and a Ford engine.

Morgan +8 [edit]

Faced with the decreasing availability of large four-cylinder engines for use in their +4 models, Morgan began to install the recently available Rover V8 engine in their cars in 1968, giving these cars the model designation "+8".

The engine displacement jumped from the 2.3 L of the Triumph TR4 engine to 3.5 L, then 3.9 L (1990), 4.0 (1998–2004) with an optional 4.6L (1996–2000) all based on the same Land Rover block. However, the V-8 was no longer than the Triumph. These features made the +8 accelerate much more quickly than the early +4 and also improved its road-holding capability. Horsepower (143–204 bhp), weight and performance varied with emission and structural laws through its history. In its final form, the GEMS Land Rover V8 produced 190 hp (140 kW). Thus powered, the car could accelerate from 0–60 mph in 5.6 seconds.

Roadster at 76e international Motorshow Geneva 2006 Roadster

In 2004, Morgan came out with a traditional styled model to replace the departing Plus 8. The new model, named the "Roadster" was powered by a Ford UK Mondeo V6 producing 204 bhp (152 kW; 207 PS). In 2007, the Mondeo engine was replaced by a US version of the same engine in the Roadster II. In 2011/2, the engine was again replaced by the 3,7 Duratec Cyclone engine and bhp increased to 280. The company calls this latest Roadster version the Roadster 3.7.

Morgan Aero 8 (Series I-IV) [edit]

A Modern Morgan Aero 8 at the Scarsdale Concours

In 2000, the Morgan Aero 8 was introduced and, as always, the wooden body substructure was ash. (Contrary to popular myth, however, the chassis is metal; aluminium for the Aero 8). The Aero 8, with a BMW V8 engine in a car weighing less than a BMW Z4 and considerably less than a BMW M3, (though more than traditional Morgans) is even faster than the Plus 8, delivering what Autoweek magazine termed supercar performance. The newest Aero 8 (Ser. IV) puts out 367 hp (274 kW) at 6100 rpm giving it a top speed of over 170 mph (270 km/h). Due to the Aero 8's light weight it can do 0–62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds.[7] During its customer production lifetime (2002–2009), the Aero was configured in five official versions, (I,II, III, IV and the Aero America) with variations in styling, engines, transmissions, braking and suspension. The Company canceled its production in 2009. It was followed by the Aeromax, a limited coupe edition of 100 units produced between 2008 and early 2010. The year of highest production was 2002.

Morgan Aero 8

The Morgan Aeromax is a coupé variation of the Aero 8 commissioned for Prince Eric Sturdza, President of Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA.[8] Production limited to 100 cars was later authorised by Sturdza, each selling for £110,000. Customers have included Richard Hammond, Rowan Atkinson, and Paul O'Grady.

Morgan Aero 8

The Morgan Aero SuperSports is a targa-roofed version of the AeroMax, sharing its bonded aluminium chassis and lower bodywork with the coupe.[9] It was launched at the 2009 Pebble Beach car show in California. Morgan Aero Coupe [edit] Main article: Morgan Aero 8 The Morgan Aero Coupe is a hard top version of the Aero SuperSports, sharing its bonded aluminium chassis, bodywork, suspension, and engine. It was launched at the end of 2011. It was not available in the USA.

Morgan Aero Plus 8

Main article: Morgan Aero 8

The new Morgan Aero Plus 8 is a classic body version of the Aero SuperSports and Aero Coupe, sharing their bonded aluminum chassis, bodywork, suspension, and engine. It was launched at the end of 2011. It was not available in the USA.

Morgan Eva GT

Main article: Morgan Eva GT

Based on the same chassis as the Aero Supersports, the Eva GT will be a 2+2 grand tourer, and as such it is longer in the body. The Eva GT will use BMW N54 twin-turbo straight-6 producing 302 bhp, this is Euro-6 emissions compliant. Shown at Pebble Beach in clay in 2010 and expected to go on sale in 2012, deposits have been taken since 2010. At the end of 2011, Morgan announced that it will use new magnesium technology for the body and therefore it will not be re-presented until 2014 with deliveries after that.

2011 Morgan Threewheeler

Morgan 3 Wheeler[10]

The Morgan Motor Company announced that they would launch the '3 Wheeler' in 2011[12][13][14][15] at the Geneva Motor Show.[13][14] The Threewheeler was initially said to have a Harley-Davidson Screaming Eagle V-twin engine and a Mazda 5-speed manual transmission,[12][13][14][15][16] and was estimated to deliver 115 horsepower (86 kW)[12][14][15][16] at the rear wheel.[15][16] However, there was a surprise when the prototype that was shown at Geneva had a S&S engine. Production three-wheelers turned out to have S&S engines.[17][18] The kerb weight was originally estimated to be less than 500 kilograms (1,102 lb),[12][13][14][16] but the final weight was tested at 550 kg. The acceleration from zero to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) was estimated by Morgan to occur in 4.5 seconds, with an (est.) top speed of 115 miles per hour (185 km/h).[12][13][14][15][16] The three-wheeler is to be homologated as a motorcycle in the United States.[12][16] The company states that 850 deposits have been taken since the announcement in 2011. Customer deliveries began in Europe in February 2012. USA deliveries are not expected before June 2012, when the first imported three-wheeler was displayed in New York City and at the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. The Morgan Threewheeler was featured in a Series 18 episode of UK motoring show Top Gear where presenter Richard Hammond picked the Morgan Threewheeler in a comparison of track-day cars. The Threewheeler won the "Not-A-Car of the Year 2011" in Top Gear (magazine). Availability to the United States.

Morgan Motor factory, main entrance

For part of the 1950s and 1960s, the USA provided the company with its largest market worldwide, taking up to 85% of all production.[19] This ended with the first wave of US safety and emission regulations in 1971. For many years (1974 to 1992), all Morgans imported into the United States were converted to run on propane as fuel to pass the U.S. emissions regulations. However, this conversion, along with bringing the cars into compliance with US vehicle safety leglislation, was carried out by the dealership, and not by the factory, making the cars grey market vehicles.

However, when the Rover Group re-certified their V8 engine for use in the Range Rover 4x4 sold in the U.S., Morgan was able to use the same engine for a fully US compliant stock Morgan from 1992 to 1996,[citation needed] and again from 1998 to 2004.[citation needed] In 2005, the engine was replaced with the US version of another traditionally shaped model (with a V6) called the Roadster.

In 2002, Morgan centralised its international compliancy development and regulatory interaction in-house.[citation needed] In 2005, its right to import its classic models ceased when supplies of its necessary airbag were exhausted and no replacement was developed. In 2006, a request for an airbag exemption to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was refused, and the import of classic Morgans ceased.

In 2005, the new Morgan Aero 8 model (versions 2 and 3) received a three year exemption from rear impact non-compliance,[22] along with a separate exemption for compliance with "advanced airbag requirements".[23] The rear-impact exemption lapsed in May 2008 without further application. Morgan has indicated to its US dealers that it plans to re-apply for US certification for some model at as yet an undetermined date in the future.[citation needed] In April 2012, the new Morgan 3 Wheeler was show-cased at the New York International Auto Show, at the Jacob Javits Center, by Bobby Singh and Gideon Lang-Laddie of Manhattan Motorsports www.morgan3w.com. This was the first time in 10 years that Morgan had had a presence at the largest of the American car shows and was the first US specification Morgan 3 Wheeler in the USA. The Morgan 3 Wheeler was voted one of the "Hottest Cars Of The Show" by G4TV.

In May 2012. Manhattan Motorsports took delivery of Charles Morgan's Superdry edition Morgan 3 Wheeler and prepared it for its first major American trial. This vehicle was driven across the States, from New York to Los Angeles by Charles Morgan and his wife,covering 3000 miles, in the Gumball 3000 Rally. At the end of the 7 day drive, the Morgan 3 Wheeler was awarded the "Spirit of Gumball" prize. General characteristics [edit]

Traditional Morgan sliding kingpin suspension

In spite of their traditional design, Morgans have always had sporting or "sports car" performance, due to their extremely low weight. Among their enthusiasts, Morgans are affectionately known as "Moggies".