Morgan’s aluminum CX chassis will open up a world of possibilities
Morgan’s new era began earlier this year with the introduction of the BMW-powered Plus Six, which is based on the company’s new CX platform. The CX is said to be twice as rigid as Morgan’s previous aluminium chassis, and tipping the scales at just 214 pounds, it also helps to keep the Plus Six’s dry weight under 2370 pounds.
Now, as the factory gradually phases out its 4/4, Plus 4, and V6 Roadster models based on the traditional steel chassis first launched in 1936, the 2020 CX-based lineup looks poised to grow with smaller engined cars, along with the option of a stick shift.
Since the Plus Six comes with the same 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six (B58) as you would find in the current BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra, it’s highly likely that Morgan’s next move is to launch more affordable variants using BMW’s 2.0-liter turbo-four (B48), with the option of their six-speed manual transmission.
Morgan won’t confirm an official end date for the production of its traditional steel chassis models either, saying they will be produced alongside CX models before their discontinuation in 2020. This means that if you desire a piece of technology originating from 83 years ago, you have to act quickly.
Regarding the steel chassis, Morgan CEO Steve Morris says they “look forward to giving it a fitting send off.”