Morgan Returns to the United States with the Morgan Plus Four

For the first time in two decades, boutique British automaker Morgan will offer a four-wheel car in the United States.

The automaker announced that the Morgan Plus Four is now available to order in the U.S., thanks to a five-year homologation effort by Morgan. The new Morgan Plus Four can be ordered through one of Morgan’s 12 U.S. dealers.

“The entry of Plus Four into the United States represents the culmination of many years’ hard work and dedication from countless individuals at Morgan and our partners,” said Matthew Hole, Managing Director of Morgan Motor Company, in a statement.

“It also reflects even more years of patience and anticipation from our loyal customers across the United States, a market that has always been hugely important. We are delighted to be able to bring the four-wheeled Morgan sports car back to the United States.”

UNDER THE HOOD

The Morgan Plus Four’s power comes from a 255-horsepower BMW 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, although the company says that engine and gearbox calibrations are unique to Morgan. The driveline includes Normal, Sport and Sport+ driving modes. Morgan says that the Plus Four runs 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds on its way to a 149 mph top speed.

While the Plus Four looks like a relic of a different age, it actually employs the automaker’s CX-Generation aluminum platform and double wishbone suspension. An optional Dynamic Handling Pack includes new springs, adjustable damping, adjustable spring and a rear anti-roll bar for improved handling dynamics. The Plus Four arrives in America with new headlights, new front and rear splitter and new mirrors.

But while the styling details may be new, other elements of the car remain as they’ve always been. Each aluminum body is hand-formed over an ash wood frame. The body is assembled as it has been for generations, boasting an interior lined in Scottish leather.

And unlike larger British automakers, Morgan has no bespoke department, as all Morgans are bespoke.

WHAT THE LAW ALLOWS

The Plus Four was introduced by Morgan in 1950.

Morgan is allowed to sell the car under the replica car rule of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, and also known as the Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act. The law allows low-volume manufacturers to produce and sell up to 325 replica vehicles per year.

Under the law, a replica must resemble the body of a vehicle that was manufactured at least 25 years ago, and its dimensions can vary no more than 10% from the original. In addition, the replica must be manufactured under a license for the original vehicle’s product configuration, trademark or patent. And, replicas are exempt from most Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and NHTSA rules.

Morgan states that the company has worked with BMW, to certify an engine package that meet Special Purpose Motor Vehicle emissions regulations in states that have adopted California Air Resources Board standards. Those states include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Five more states, Oregon, Washington, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, are adapting the regulations for 2025.

The FAST Act was passed by Congress in 2015, but the NHTSA didn’t issue the final rule until earlier this year after a lawsuit by the Specialty Equipment Market Association.

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AN OLD COMPANY

Morgan was established by Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan, the son of a clergyman, established Morgan Motor Co. in 1910 in Worcestershire, England. U.S. sales didn’t begin until after World War II. The family has remained in charge, with Henry’s son, Peter, and grandson, Charles running the company since. Yet Morgan is now majority owned by Investindustrial, a private equity firm that bought into the firm in 2019.

Neverthelss, all Morgans are still hand-built in the quaint red-brick factory on Pickersleigh Road in Malvern Link, England, just as they have for more than 100 years. The new Plus Four replaced  a model built on a frame that debuted for 1936.

The newest Plus Four arrived on the European market in 2019, and Morgan has sought to get the car into the U.S. since then. The Morgan Plus Four joins the Super 3 at U.S. dealers with prices starts at $84,995, excluding tax, title, license, dealer and destination charges.