Morgan Plus Four CX-T revealed – apocalypse-spec Morgan channels Ariel Nomad
Prepping for a Mad Max reality Malvern-style, the Morgan Plus Four CX-T is the ultimate off-roading retro roadster
You can now be safe in the knowledge that if the Apocalypse was about to hit, Morgan motor company has something new that fits the bill as the perfect getaway car. Called the Plus Four CX-T, this rally-raid Morgan really is a limited production model costing the thick end of £200,000, and promises to be able to traverse some rather more serious terrain than the Malvern hills in which it was created.
To create the Plus Four CX-T, Morgan has partnered with Rally Raid, a UK-based outfit more used to creating the rugged competition cars that attack the Dakar every year. Based on the Plus Four Roadster, the CX-T builds on its aluminium chassis with substantial updates to the suspension, underbody and upper structure.
This starts with its bespoke suspension, which utilises an adaption of the longer front suspension wishbones from the Plus Six and bespoke coilovers from Exe-TC (Citroen’s former WRC supplier) to give it 230mm of ground clearance and 125mm of suspension travel – for context, a Jeep Wrangler has 217mm of ground clearance. To cope with all this new-found suspension travel, the aluminium wheel arches have been modified to ensure clearance over the suspension’s entire travel, and the bump stops are now integrated directly into the coilover itself.
There are no less than five underbody protection panels under the rear chassis connection points, mid section, rear undertray and a full powertrain guard. The exhaust system is also bespoke, and has been redesigned to avoid getting ripped to pieces, with an integrated exhaust outlet moulded into the rear wheel arch. The wheels are smaller than a normal Plus Four’s, and are wrapped in Maxis Worm-Drive all-terrain rubber.
The powertrain is largely unchanged, with the Plus Four’s BMW-sourced B48 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing the same 255bhp and 258lb ft of torque. There’s also a standard six-speed manual and BMW’s electrically-controlled limited slip differential that changes its locking ratio depending on the driver mode selected. In normal and Sport modes, the differential behaves as in the standard Roadster, but will calibrate to a 45 percent lock when the bespoke All-Terrain mode is selected. The final drive ratio has also been shortened to account for the large-diameter tyres.
To complete the package, it’s the Plus Four CX-T’s visual additions that have the most dramatic effect, with a tubular steel exoskeleton that both acts as a support to the roof covering and mount for two spare wheels, tool storage and luggage cases. In fact, Morgan will happily personalise all of the external mounting options for all sorts of outdoor gear, from surfboards and Kayaks to roof-mounted tent systems.
A total of eight units will be produced, each specified specifically for its owners starting at the not insignificant price point of just over £200,000 including local taxes.
