Morgan has long been one of our favorite automakers here around The Gentleman Racer® office, sadly few modern Morgans make it to our shores. But if one Morgan was ever built for America the CX-T is it, a purpose-built off-road adventure sports car, like nothing else on the market today.
Based on the Plus Four the new CX-T was prepped by the legendary racing shop Rally Raid UK, the team behind some of the most successful Dakar rally cars ever built. The project highlights the durability of Morgan’s new CX-Generation platform which the Plus Four is based on.
The exterior of the CX-T is designed to maximize gear carrying capacity, and provide the occupant protection necessary for extreme environments. Most prominently, the rear panel of the vehicle has been replaced with an equipment rack, with unique side body panels designed to be reminiscent of the classic four-seater Morgan.
The rack houses two ruggedized and waterproof Pelican luggage cases, a Zarges aluminum tool/storage box, two Rotopax 3-gallon containers, and two spare wheel/tire assemblies. All exterior mounting systems for all storage and equipment have been painstakingly engineered to be tough and easy to access.
The external exoskeleton can also be adapted to carry leisure equipment such as bikes and surfboards, to complement the lifestyle activities of the owner, while the removable side screens can be mounted onto the roof of the vehicle, allowing them to be carried unobtrusively in case of a change in the weather.
Rally Raid UK undertook a complete study of the standard Plus Four vehicle to determine the possibilities for the conversion, including durability assessments of the platform, drivetrain, and suspension systems. The suspension has been designed to be expedition-ready: tough and fit for purpose. Durability, and a drive-over obstacle clearance of over 9-inches, have been achieved using modified Plus Six wishbones. These widen the track and allow for the extra arc of movement required to achieve the desired suspension performance. The wheel arches have also been modified, allowing the suspension to compress deep into the wheel well, providing maximum traction and stability.
EXE-TC Coilover assemblies with internal bump stops are used, these have been developed by EXE-TC specifically for the vehicle. In addition to the main suspension hardware, the lower suspension arms contain bespoke bushes which further increase durability. The combined suspension package is optimized to undertake journeys never before attempted in a Morgan sports car while ensuring composure and comfort during any excursion into the backcountry.
A five-piece underbody protection system – comprising an engine guard, rear chassis guard, mid-section shield, and rear undertray help to protect the chassis and important components when driving off-road. The car is also fitted with a full custom exhaust system with a rear side exit that improves the departure angle and contributes to over 9-inches of ground clearance.
The Plus Four CX-T uses a tuned BMW X-Drive electronic differential, calibrated and tested specifically for this application. Switches inside the cabin allow a choice of three modes to be selected depending upon the driving conditions; each mode varies the degree of differential lock that is applied. Selecting ‘Road’ mode fully opens the differential, while ‘All-Terrain’ mode applies approximately 45% lock to the rear differential, allowing some variation torque distribution between the rear wheels. ‘All-Terrain Extreme’ mode fully locks the rear differential, providing equal torque to both rear wheels. The two All-Terrain modes are designed to be used when tackling rough surfaces and low-traction conditions. The final drive ratio has also been shortened to account for the larger diameter tires and suit all-terrain usage.
Cabin stowage has also been optimized with the addition of a removable map/document holder and insulated cool bag, both located in the passenger footwell. A custom-made first aid kit is mounted to the internal roll cage behind the seats. Just like the exterior equipment, every interior feature has been designed with accessibility and convenience in mind, whether this is for use in remote conditions or the leisure pursuits of the owner. The cabin is enclosed within a composite hardtop which is unique to the Plus Four CX-T and has been intricately engineered to fit between the internal and external roll cages.
The Morgan Plus Four CX-T is the second of two special projects being produced by Morgan in 2021, with the first being the Plus 8 GTR. But if you wanted to get one you better act fast just eight of the CX-T will be built, at a price of around $237,000 each. Oh and they likely won't be legal for sale in the USA.
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