Morgan Plus Six 3.0 Touring (A) Review

The times are changing. And they are changing fast. The weatherman tells us to expect more torrential downpours as a consequence of climate change. And in response to this changing climate, we are now getting more electric cars here than before.

But if you're still keen on getting all the thrills and spills of internal combustion, even in days of terrible weather, this could be just the option for you.

You'll be dry to the bone

It's called the Morgan Plus Six Touring, and it differs from the car we tested early last year, predominately by the addition of a hard top roof in place of a soft top.

That means you won't have to fuss over the deployment of the fabric roof should stormy weather beckon. But there's hardly any newfound comfort to be had with this hard top variant. The air-conditioning was passable on the sweltering hot day that I had the car, but by current new car standards, there's still a terrible amount of wind noise that makes its way into the cabin.

And this Morgan Plus Six does not mark itself out as a particularly comfortable long-distance cruiser either. The suspension, double wishbone items front and back, offers enough pliancy when faced with larger obstacles, but also has a habit of transmitting all sorts of smaller bumps and dips on the road into the cabin, offering a busy ride on poor surfaces that is alleviated only by a somewhat slow steering rack.

So, it's not exactly a great tourer, but here's the thing: I still want one.

Because in an age where more and more cars are trumpeting high cabin isolation and quiet progress, this Morgan Plus Six just feels refreshingly pleasing to drive.

Set the wheels to spin

Even at a sedate pace the Plus Six is a sheer delight to simply steer, thanks to the unique way it pivots through bends, with its long bonnet and the fact that you're sitting so close to the rear axle.

There are also mighty cushy seats (new for the 2022 model year), which look simple in shape but offer the necessary lateral support and plenty of give for your thighs. Visibility out the back of that hard top is also excellent, compensating for the tiny side mirrors.

Left in its default 'Drive' driving mode, the rpms can be kept low, and shifts from the eight-speed gearbox are smoothly executed. But opt for a frantic turn of speed and this Morgan does not shy from thrilling either.

So pushed, the 3.0-litre BMW-sourced engine easily shrugs off the Morgan's 1,075kg weight, and acceleration always feels effortless, to the point that you'll constantly be checking that little digital display ahead of you to make sure you're not breaking the speed limit.

Knock that BMW gear selector over to set the car into its 'Sport' mode, or press the sole button on the centre console for 'Sport+' mode, and throttle response becomes bitingly sharp and rpms are kept high, working with the car's reasonably stiff ash and aluminium underpinnings to let you to haul that classic body like you would any other modern sports coupe.

But a fair word of caution though: If you're going to throw this car about, keep your ears peeled for when the rear tyres start to protest. There's plenty of grip to be had at either axle, but if you're careless with the accelerator pedal going into a turn, that slow steering is not conducive to recovery should the rear snaps loose.

I recommend you opt for the Moto-Lita steering wheel as fitted in this car, which not only looks great, but will serve as a nice and constant reminder that there are no airbags to save you, should it all go wrong.

The optional Active Sports Exhaust, meanwhile (also new for the 2022 model year), is more difficult to recommend. With the car set into either of its sportier modes, the opening of its bypass valves result in an incessant fusillade of pops that accompany every lift off from the accelerator pedal, which gets tiring rather quickly.

For the times they are a-changin'

At $480,888 before COE, this Morgan Plus Six Touring will only be within reach of a select few.

And that's even before we factor in the mighty cost of some of the options: Opt for a body-coloured roof in place of the standard Ivory coloured one for example, and you'll need to fork out another $4,500. Want your interior leather in a colour other than Pebble Black or Tan? That's another $5,500.

But if you have the means to finance one, go for it. With the way the climate and car markets are changing, this Plus Six will continue to serve a raw and enjoyably unique driving experience that will soon be very difficult to find, and keep you reasonably sheltered from the weather while you're at it.

Shopping for a sporty coupe? There's also these alternatives to consider:

The Morgan Plus Four comes with the same classic look of this Plus Six, and a smaller engine

There's also the Alpine A110 to consider, if lightweight handling is what you're after

The Porsche 718 meanwhile, will deliver on drivability and handling

Or there's also the Jaguar F-TYPE, now with a mean new look and upgraded equipment

But maybe what you're after is the timeless Porsche 911, with its high driving pleasure and comfort

Catch just what the engine and exhaust of this Plus Six is like in our video review here!