V6 Into 8 Does Go For Improved Morgan

For a small UK car manufacturer, there's nothing more important than the British Motor Show - which is why Morgan will launch its new Roadster later this month.

Auto Express Car Reviews

17th May 2004

The car takes over from the axed Plus 8, but is essentially the same vehicle with a different engine - the 3.0-litre V6 from the Ford Mondeo ST220 replaces Rover's 4.0 V8. So why the change? A spokesman said: "We have a policy to stay up to date with the latest standards, and the V8 came to the end of its engine programme. It has enabled us to rebalance the car. The V6 is smaller and lighter, so the Roadster will handle even better than the Plus 8."

While the obvious choice for a new name would have been Plus 6, the Worcestershire company chose the Roadster instead. Morgan told us this was the moniker that came out on top during internal consultations.

The 223bhp car will sit between the 4/4 and Aero 8, and is on sale after the show, priced from ΂£34,991. Deliveries will start early next year.