The Morgan Supersport had to lose two cylinders to comply with US regulations.

      Nick Dimbleby

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      The Morgan Supersport, a compact sports car that offers a fresh and charming update on the classic aesthetic of the British automaker, has been confirmed for the U.S. market. Although it features a smaller engine than the European version, it compensates with a much more stylish shifter than previously seen.

      The Supersport made its debut last March, showcasing a new look that remains true to Morgan's iconic retro design (long hood, round lights, you know the style). You can see more of it in this article—I’ll include a complete gallery from Morgan below. The European model was equipped with a BMW B58, a well-regarded turbocharged straight-six (the same engine found in the Toyota Supra, among others). The U.S. version will have a slight downgrade to the BMW B46, an inline four-cylinder with a single turbo.

      I personally have a version of this powertrain (B46 with a ZF eight-speed) in my BMW 330 wagon. While it’s not incredibly fast, it’s certainly not sluggish either—and a Morgan is significantly lighter than my all-wheel-drive wagon. Thus, I’m hopeful that the Supersport will still provide an enjoyable driving experience with approximately 250 horsepower instead of 330 (though the name seems a bit optimistic now).

      Morgan has released an extensive gallery, which you can browse through here to see the vehicle in various configurations:

      According to a press release from Morgan, the car is now homologated for sale in the U.S. under the Replica Vehicle legislation set forth by the FAST Act (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act). The company explains:

      “The legislation permits manufacturers to create replica vehicles based on models that were sold at least 25 years ago, allowing Morgan to sell up to 325 qualifying vehicles annually in the market. After an extensive program of engineering, validation, and federal homologation, the Supersport has been approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for sale in the United States. U.S. specification vehicles are equipped with Morgan’s approved BMW B46 TwinPower Turbo engine, paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, delivering a powertrain specifically developed to comply with federal emissions standards.”

      So, it appears this specific powertrain is what enables the car’s entry into the U.S. market. Pricing for the U.S. remains to be announced, although the B58-powered Euro spec Supersport is currently priced around $130,000. I would anticipate that the four-cylinder American version will be somewhat less expensive. A price in the vicinity of $100,000 seems reasonable for a truly handcrafted vehicle, even if it occupies an unusual space between sporty and grand-touring. Perhaps it's a "tiny touring" car? After all, you choose a Morgan for its aesthetics and essence rather than its performance metrics.

      I’m pleased to see that the original BMW shifter, noted in the early photos of the car last year, has been substituted with a custom-made piece. While the factory unit looks fine in BMWs, it felt a bit out of place amidst the unique and vintage charm of a Morgan’s interior. The clean knob that Morgan designed fits the car's interior much more suitably.

      Morgan takes pride in building each car by hand, which allows for limited production and maximum customization. The boutique manufacturer indicates that fewer than 50 build slots for the U.S. market are available for the year.

      “Every aluminum body is handcrafted over a traditional ash wood frame before being seamlessly integrated with the lightweight CXV-Generation bonded-aluminum platform, along with its advanced suspension, braking, and electronic systems,” the company stated in its release.

      “Over 60% of the aluminum used throughout the chassis and body is recycled, showcasing Morgan’s ongoing commitment to responsible manufacturing. The cockpit combines natural materials with contemporary production techniques. Scottish leather, sourced as a by-product of the food and agricultural industries, is used judiciously across the interior. Meanwhile, advanced laser scanning technology guarantees exceptional consistency, with each hide individually trimmed using traditional techniques and hand-finished by Morgan’s skilled artisans. Due to its bespoke construction, natural materials are used thoughtfully, resulting in minimal waste.”

      Morgan’s design philosophy may not appeal to everyone, but if you are a car enthusiast, you must admire their unique approach at Pickersleigh Road.

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