Morgan Super Sport 400 Review — Full Breakdown & Transcript

[00:30] >> And I'm James. >> And that is the Morgan Super Sport. It's a car that we now get in North America. So, it's probably a good idea to refresh So, it's probably a good idea to refresh our memories on what Morgan actually is.

[00:51] Worcers, England, there is a place with an unfettered dedication to an unfettered dedication to craftsmanship and tradition. a car maker whose factory tour is almost as famous as the vehicles themselves. And amidst

[01:04] the raging river of soulless EV takeovers, the Morgan Motor Company is a salmon swimming upstream. We haven't done the tour, but in our imagination on the wall above the factory workers would be the mantra, "Thou shalt not

[01:20] enshitten." And it would be crafted out of beams of ash just like the frames of their cars. Two, four, six, eight cylinders, four wheels or not, windscreen or not, every Morgan, even the new ones, looks like it belongs to

[01:36] the first half of the previous century, frozen in time. And yet, out of their humble headquarters, they still handbu almost a thousand new cars every year.

[01:49] And perhaps, just maybe, the SUP Sport with its sleek design and new platform is enough to make waves with an entirely new generation. It certainly has our attention. It also doesn't hurt that despite only weighing one James more

[02:04] than a Mazda MX5, today's car is also the most powerful Morgan they've ever the most powerful Morgan they've ever created.

[02:29] and quite a lot of messing around. So, subscribe and enjoy the show.

[02:55] means it has a turbocharged inline 6 making 402 horsepower and 369 pound-ft of torque. And it's light, which means that 0 to 60 is 3.6 seconds. In other

[03:07] that 0 to 60 is 3.6 seconds. In other words, it's really effing fast

[03:26] windows removed. This is a properly This is a properly violently quick car. Whoa.

[03:42] It's BMWs with a ZF8 speed. And with this active exhaust you get on the 400, I think this is the best sounding application of a B-58 I've ever application of a B-58 I've ever experienced.

[04:00] It's angry and it pops and it snarls and it cracks. It's wonderful.

[04:23] You got the wind in your hair. The road is right beside you. some bizarre child of Kruella Deville's

[04:36] car and a pre-war racing car. It's a really, really unique thing. However, there's a bit of a problem. You see, Morgan's kind of antiquated style of

[04:48] building things, even though this is an aluminum bonded and riveted chassis, means that this car is just about the least controlled car I've driven in a long time that has this much power. It's all over the freaking place.

[05:02] It's actually quite scary to accelerate in a straight line, never mind corners. I think BMW parts for the steering are not doing it any favors here. The front end is about as vague as a politician answering questions.

[05:16] In the middle of a corner, I I there's cowl shake. There's body shake. You're constantly giving it corrections just so you can know what's happening. If it you can know what's happening. If it were a person, it would be Charlie Day.

[05:31] And I think I'd prefer something more along the lines of Clint Eastwood or Harrison Ford. Oh, Jesus.

[05:46] the uh any bump in the road and you go ah like that. And I did an extensive survey, tons and And I did an extensive survey, tons and tons of research. I pulled 50 different

[06:00] municipalities and I learned that there are bumps in the road, which means that the Morgan Super Sport 400 is in trouble.

[06:14] And I say it's in trouble because this Super Sport 400 is optioned to 165,000. And the Sup Sport America is getting, which by the way has an asterisk that which by the way has an asterisk that we'll touch on later, starts at $119,000

[06:28] US. However you slice it, that's pricey. But this one we're driving today is the most hardcore of them all. So, I passed the keys to James so he could stretch its legs.

[06:40] >> I think you might like it. >> Like rolling in. Nothing looks quite >> thank you. >> It's all right, >> Thomas. You haven't given me a Morgan key. You've given me an LED light color

[06:52] lamp. >> It's really unacceptable, isn't it? Like craftsmanship. >> No, I know. I like I want my Morgan key what I mean? >> Right. Cuz it's so fancy. Yeah. Yeah. I

[07:06] want my Morgan key to only be cleaned by the wax of the king's bees. >> Okay. Okay. I I want my Morgan key to be made by the two people in the world are old. And when they die, we just won't be able to start our Morgans anymore.

[07:20] >> Fine with that. Yeah. >> Yeah. I I want my Morgan key to make me run outside if I hear the bells of the knife sharpening man because for some reason I need his services. >> Right. Exactly. Okay. I want my Morgan

[07:32] key to be made out of some wood from the HMS Victory that Lord Nelson sailed to win the battle of Trfalar. >> Yeah. I want my Morgan key to be made out of a wood so respected that Morgan themselves provide a little coaster for

[07:45] it in case someone decides to put a little drink on it at a party. >> Just drive the car. >> Okay. >> Is it made out of wood? Better be. >> Hope not.

[08:16] That is as good as I've ever heard a B-58 sound. given it an LSD. They've given it nitron dampers and 402

[08:32] Actually, they haven't given it an LSD. It costs thousands of pounds. But this one has it. So, it should be somewhat at home on a small road circuit like this.

[08:55] I know Thomas had his worries on that bumpy mountain road, but out here where bumpy mountain road, but out here where it's a little bit smoother. looks like it's made for escaping the child catcher.

[09:15] It's a gentleman's caterum. And I've taken a caterum around here taken a caterum around here and this really has

[09:30] ready after Thomas had driven this to be so disappointed on the track. But it works. Yeah, it still dives under braking. And no, I'm probably not going to go the 180 mph top speed it boasts cuz that would you just die when you're

[09:46] really on it and then front lifts up. You are constantly requesting from the steering an update more often than I'm refreshing car auctions just to know what's going on on the power. Second gear, third gear.

[10:05] would make this absolutely mute and boring, but as BMW proved and Morgan has doubly proved, that doesn't need to be the case.

[10:24] This is a good time. This is a good time.

[10:36] It drives how it looks. I kind of love it. >> Do you mean a Do you mean a Baron? >> What did I say? Don't worry about it. Um, so I've driven this on the track as well, actually.

[10:50] >> And humble burst. >> Yeah. And >> Yes. It's great. Do you know what I mean? Like there's bits where it's fun, but then you realize that it is a very flawed vehicle.

[11:16] that I want of the car. >> And and I wonder I can't help but wonder actually maybe if there was a little bit less wood in it. You mean >> Oh, physically. >> Yeah. That it would be a little bit

[11:32] though. Like you're smiling. >> But the wood is frame only.

[11:44] >> It has shortcomings. But the same way that maybe and maybe this is >> right? >> Global village. But the same way you give Italian cars, you know, a bit of a a bit a pass for for

[12:00] >> where this falls down, >> Yeah. >> it's British, you know, like >> it's British, you know, like >> No. And I think overall I do like this

[12:12] that it's it's writing checks that it can't cash with its >> but it just says 400. It doesn't say GTR >> but it just says 400. It doesn't say GTR or GTS. It's the Super Sport 400.

[12:25] >> I'm just saying those two big words. >> It It should have that ability. >> The Morgan. Yeah. >> No, listen. This is an extremely cool awesome when you're just cruising through a small English town, right? And

[12:40] Everyone's looking at you. >> Oh, it looks amazing. Satin colors are new for the SUP Sport. It hasn't been satin Morgans and it works so well. I I think I watched the designer say that it like slows down the light.

[12:53] >> It looks so >> Yeah. If you're like 80 years old and Did I use that correctly? >> I have absolutely no idea. >> Sound like you're using it right. >> I feel like

[13:08] >> Listen, I really like traditional craftsmanship. I enjoy uh backpacks and >> Right. >> Backpacks. Okay. Go on. Sorry. It's It's I really enjoy. Like this hood right here is like hand bent and hammered.

[13:25] >> Right into that shape to fit. And I think that that is genuinely very cool. And I love that. Ow. >> Does get hot. There is a scorching six-cylinder engine under there. >> Um anyway, I love the way that it it's

[13:40] so pre-war. >> Yes, that's what I mean. So, I think say. >> I'll throw a couple cars out there that are roughly the same price. You can get a V8 Vantage convertible. You could get

[13:53] >> Yeah, you can get a Spider RS. >> You get a Spider RS, >> If you go the more normal route, you can get a wellspeced S Cabriolet 911, >> I I get it. You can get some very serious performance.

[14:07] >> However, if you are an established person who likes this sort of thing, >> Yeah. How much are you spending to restore an actual 50s car that looks like this? And how dynamically >> good worse in every way and more

[14:21] >> Exactly. No, I get it. >> This is an offtheshelf brand new car kind of >> with a modern engine that is exalted by >> There are so many good things. There are I I agree with you. And you know what's

[14:34] much cheaper than this is just a non400 super sport. cheaper. It's still over £100,000. >> Okay. than the plus4. >> Plus four. Yeah, that comes in manual, but it's a lesser car. It's less

[14:46] advanced. It is smaller though, which is kind of nice. This is not a small car >> No. And you can feel it out there. Like you can do a skid in it obviously cuz But as soon as you try and transition it around, it just there's something about

[14:58] base, the position of >> But it's oldfashioned. It doesn't believe in transitioning. Look, this has Sport. These are these are the new

[15:10] the super sport were those sort of aerodyisk GT3 RS which look super cool. >> But the rear of this is for me the mastery of this car. The way this sloops

[15:22] >> where was that? >> The way this sloops down you I'm using >> I don't understand. >> Yeah. Get mogged. Anyway, so I think it when I've been behind you in traffic and you've been driving this, it's just like

[15:35] Sloop is >> the badge. It just sleeps right to the >> the badge. It just sleeps right to the bottom. This is beautiful. Absolutely don't get this exhaust, which is a rockus and wonderful and a highlight of

[15:49] >> Said it before we'll say it again. That is the best sounding BMW engine in years and years and years and years. >> All right, let's have a look on the when we go in. >> Okay.

[16:05] >> It's a good door. Okay. So, I feel this is interesting because this car is the type of car that I absolutely would love. >> And I give it many passes. I just want everyone and you to know like for

[16:18] example the this bit does not line up and meet perfectly with this bit kind of >> How do you know it was meant to? >> I don't know. But I assume that it would continual line. And I don't care because

[16:30] continual line. And I don't care because as a owner of a handbuilt British car Martin every >> How long did that take? 16 minutes 37 >> Um I I actually enjoy the fact that there are flaws due to the fact that

[16:43] people put it together. Okay. >> There's more is an honest honesty to it. >> Yeah. That >> everything else looks they've done a really good job. Honestly, >> it looks perfect. Um, I don't have any

[16:55] fact that I think that these two dials should be here and no digital gauge >> The digital gauge cluster itself is not that special either. The black levels pulled out of an aerial atom. >> It's just not bright enough.

[17:08] >> Like they are clearly capable of making a nice cluster. Also, >> you can't see it. >> It also doesn't light up where you are. >> So, you have to look there and there's just like a little D again, just like an

[17:21] atom. What there is now, however, is the choice to have a proper Morgan billeted >> Yeah, >> that's included in the price, though. option >> to make it not look like a BMW,

[17:34] it just looks like a BMW. >> Which is what the Inos Grenadier suffers from. The Super one's slightly different >> Yeah, it's really really nice >> and it matches the interior

[17:46] these, right? Like there's like 10 different woods that you >> You can change your veneers. You can change the leather colors. Right. Don't doesn't match the door Alcantara. That's a bit funky.

[17:59] brown. >> Yep. The paddle shifters are a bit weak, >> Well, you I mean, you're a fan of column shifters, but they're small and plastic. >> You know what I just realized is that they there's a there's a sheath on the

[18:14] shifter that clicks. the whole sh the whole thing doesn't click. Right. That's if they're small and plastic, put them right behind the wheel >> We're picking we're picking on the things that are you sort of pick up on

[18:28] >> And it's just because the price is quite high, right? And so you just you you want it to make you want it to be perfect because I really want to love this thing, right? I think that there is an unquantified thing with the the view

[18:43] out you have of this like long hood. The three the three windscreen wipers. >> Yeah, >> this all feels beautiful. The start out. Listen to that. >> Yeah.

[18:58] >> No, there's there is nothing that you can buy new that has this perspective as a driver. This level of exposure, the windows come out. So, so the fact that it's also fast and also sounds good, looks amazing, feels quality inside.

[19:12] >> Hold on, though. That's with the also fast is where I go. No, because I don't amount of power very well. >> I can go 180 mph. >> How much would I have to pay you? >> You You could pay me. You couldn't pay

[19:25] >> It comes You can get it with a carbon roof for four grand. >> Super Sport. See, it's writing checks. Anyway, I would want a much less powerful version of this. I don't need this much power. I I don't need the

[19:39] Nitron dampers, which are really nice dampers, by the way. I don't need that. I just want it to I want to experience I want to experience the exposure in the window and and the way that people look at you when you're in it. That's what

[19:51] >> I disagree on the power plant. I disagree. I I think that really I was ready to be upset because it just wouldn't be naturally aspirated or engaging enough. I don't even miss the manual that much. Uh yeah,

[20:03] one's coming, but if they do what BMW and Toyota did, which is just go, >> Yeah, all the people that bought one already, don't get mad. >> Apparently, the take rate is mostly automatic on plus4s.

[20:16] >> I mean, yeah, makes sense. >> No, I don't know. I think there's there's there's a version of this car somewhere that I'm like 100% I would own >> I do. I would like to drive a caterum, but I have driven cater before. Just not

[20:30] the crazy fast ones. We got to get you in that supercharged Ford Duratech one. >> Yeah. No, this is this is a really really really cool car. There's nothing like it on the road. If this is what you're looking for, then this is what

[20:42] >> Even the Sennheiser sound system is good. Four grand. >> Four grand. >> I I think that I think that maybe with time I could come around to this, but perhaps I'm

[20:55] isn't. Well, remember they only make 200 a year, so only has to appeal to 200, a year, so only has to appeal to 200, but it is in a class of one.

[21:10] Yes. Oh, my candies. I forgot I put them in there.

[21:22] time anyone has yelled candies in a Morgan and then proceeded to eat Haribo and not like Worther's original. But hey, the Super Sport is supposed to appeal to a whole new crowd. So, no complaints. In our minds, we started our

[21:36] time with the SUP Sport thinking it was going to be one of two things. Either it would just feel like a very expensive BMW Z4 M40i or it would come off as a very reasonably priced restood. The truth is it's neither and both. It's

[21:52] uniquely Morgan. We realized an entirely new color on our pallet. And given how bland the landscape sometimes feels here, we welcome anything that breaks that up a bit, which this certainly does. Even if thanks to North American

[22:06] regulations, we only get the SUP Sport in fourcylinder form. Yeah, that's the asterisk we mentioned earlier. For now, at least, and it still starts at at least, and it still starts at $119,000.

[22:24] does fall short of super sporty. Dynamically, despite its name, it is no match for the cars in its price range, which makes us think that maybe a normal Super Sport with a fun exhaust makes more sense because otherwise, the Morgan

[22:39] more sense because otherwise, the Morgan still bests the other cars in heart, still bests the other cars in heart, novelty, individuality, and quirkiness. If those are the things that you value above all else, then in that price

[22:51] range, there really isn't anything quite like it. Thanks for watching.

[23:07] >> Right. Exactly. Yeah. I want my oiling key to have wood that can only >> Did I say my oiling? >> Yeah. You What is wrong with you? hear it. >> I know you didn't cuz you kept going.

[23:21] >> Nailed it. I was like, I'm nailing this. I want my Morgan key to have an oiling schedule, >> right? Yes. I want my Morgan key to have only been used. >> I was so proud. I was so proud that I

[23:36] said Morgan. >> Everything else just disappear.