Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.In my mind, I'm driving to Lime Rock, driving spiritedly on the winding country lanes of northwest Connecticut. These are proper sports car driving roads. It's early September, and I'm headed there to race a vintage Morgan +4 Super Sports in the annual Historic festival.Back in the 1950s and 1960s, Morgans were competitive racing cars, regularly beating Porsches, Triumphs, and other sports cars. In fact, a Morgan won its class in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans.David Phipps / Getty ImagesToday, however, I'm not in New England. I'm in LA, and I'm sitting in stop-and-go traffic. Three hours of it. But that's ok, because I'm driving a new Morgan Plus Four, a car that shares the design with nearly every four-wheeled Morgan since the 1950s. Most people don't believe me when I tell them it's a new car with a warranty.AdvertisementAdvertisementAlthough I'd rather be moving faster, I'm enjoying the traffic more than the guy one lane over. His new Mercedes may be more comfortable, and his ears aren't being pounded by the diesel thrum coming from the 18-wheeler to my right. But I'm having fun, sharing this car with the other victims of LA's infamous traffic. When people see the Morgan, their faces light up. They roll down their windows to ask me about it. The car and I have been whistled at, thumbs-upped, and received more smiles than a Porsche 911 sees in a lifetime. The people have spoken, and they love the Morgan.While this traffic has me thinking that the job of an auto journalist isn't always glamorous, a quick glance across the Plus Four's louvered bonnet and sculpted fenders brings a smile to my face, and I think that, at this moment, it's a tough job to beat.Jason MeshnickOver the next four days, I'll cover more than 600 miles in this car, driving everything from highways to canyon roads. Spoiler: The car did not disappoint. It's a joyful thing.The CarI'm no stranger to the brand, having owned a 1959 Plus 4 for many years. That car transported me through New York State and New England on weekends, including many drives to Lime Rock where I'd watch other Morgans beat more exotic machinery on track.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Plus Four has been conspicuously absent from Morgan's US lineup since 2005. The prior generation car, whose technology bore a closer resemblance to my 1959 model than to the 2026 Plus Four, simply couldn't meet modern safety regulations. The 2015 FAST Act, however, allows Morgan to sell up to 325 Plus Fours per year in the US.While the new Plus Four looks like the prior Plus 4 (prior generations were known as Plus 4 or even +4), nearly everything else about the car is an improvement. Starting from the front. Morgan created bespoke headlights that fit the car's period character but perform like modern units. The bumpers are gone, too, replaced by an air dam that reduces drag as well as lift, making the car easy to enjoy at speed.Dennis CollatosBut the biggest change lies under the skin. Although the body, now aluminum, remains hand-formed over an ash wood frame, the chassis is now bonded aluminum, rather than the flexy steel ladder of prior generations. The new Morgan is stiff but remains a featherweight. It's also tiny, with a footprint that fits inside that of a Gen 1 Miata. Just 65 inches wide and 151 inches long. You can get a base Caterham if the Morgan is too big.Dennis CollatosMorgan has always sourced engines from other manufacturers. Early +4s were powered by Triumph or Ford units. Later cars used Fiat power, before moving back to Ford. Today's Plus Four uses BMW's excellent 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four cylinder, generating 255 bhp and 295 lb ft of torque. It's enough to give the 2220-pound car a power-to-weight ratio in line with Porsche's 911T. That's serious. Morgan says the car will hit 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, and I believe them. The car felt quick. And the combination of BMW's efficient powerplant with the Morgan's light weight means that the car sips fuel. Morgan claims 37 MPG, in line with what I saw in mixed driving around Southern California. Lightweight cars rule.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile the motor is sporty and more than powerful enough, it lacked a little of the growl I'd love to hear from a Morgan. It's a luxury motor, a wonderful cruiser that suits the car's character, though I'd like it to be just a bit more visceral. And while I'm complaining, the Morgan isn't available in the US with a manual transmission.Underneath the car, the new Plus Four uses double wishbones front and rear, like you'll find on a 911 GT3 RS. That keeps the tires in contact with the road more effectively than the leaf springs and sliding pillar "technology" used by Morgan from 1909 through modern times. The optional dynamic handling package, which my tester had, adds front and rear anti-roll bars and an adjustable Nitron damper setup. Between the stiff aluminum chassis and upgraded shocks, this thing inspires confidence in the twisties. On the famous Angeles Crest Road, the car was more willing than its driver to hang with the regulars who know the road well. Still, we drove spiritedly enough to feel that this car has proper performance credentials. While it's not a race car for the road, it is an inspiring canyon carver. Think of it as a 1950s sports car that has been modernized in all the right ways. Powerful, torquey engine, good brakes, great suspension.LA traffic aside, it's even enjoyable on the highway. The BMW motor pulls without effort, allowing the car to cruise easily at illegal speeds. It's only when you hit a bump at speed that you remember you're driving something so small and light. In fact, you'll be pretty much the smallest car on any road you're on, but everyone will see you. I never felt unsafe, plus it's got plenty of power and great brakes to keep you out of trouble.The interior is simple, but luxurious. The center console's wood is almost nautical. It's lovely, the striped wood inlay suggesting forward movement. Press cars are never treated gingerly, and this car's aluminum trim had been scratched. You'd probably treat your personal Morgan with more respect than the press fleet does, but just know that the interior isn't indestructible.Jason MeshnickThe dashboard is simple and clean. It's dominated by a small binnacle in front of the driver, with the traditional gauges located in the center. The binnacle contains a small screen that gives all necessary information and can be controlled by the buttons and knobs in the center dash. I found the screen's controls to be a little confusing. With more time in the car and a glance at the manual, I'm sure I'd have figured out how to get more from it. The center dash is dominated by the tach and speedometer, with assorted controls below. My tester included the Sennheiser premium audio system. And by system, I mean speakers. Your phone supplies the music. Still, it worked well, considering that this is an open-topped and somewhat drafty car.AdvertisementAdvertisementUnlike my 1950s +4, the modern Plus Four's heat kept me warm in the chilly SoCal morning humidity, while the A/C did the job when the sun crested and temps jumped into the 80s.The seats were comfortable and fit my 5'11" frame with room to spare. In a nod to vintage Morgans, the seat's support and cushioning come from an air bladder, controlled by two little squeezies. As you'd expect, the footwells are tiny, but I was never uncomfortable. Like a 911, you're sitting close to the ground, feet outstretched. It's a position that works for me.The elephant in the cockpit is that BMW shifter. It just lacks the character to have such a prominent place in the Morgan. It is, however, functional, and familiar to anyone with a recent BMW.ExteriorLet's be honest, while the Morgan is a blast to drive, most people will fall in love with it for more base reasons, its looks. Which are fantastic. Subtly updated since the 1950s, you wouldn't fault some for assuming it's a restomod. And you might think the designer was a centenarian who updated his 75-year-old homework to launch the new car. You'd be wrong. The current design team has an average age of just over 30, and all have been with the company since their early 20s. Morgan's PR team tells me that they're not specifically seeking out young designers. Rather, they seek designers who understand the nuance of applying forward-looking design trends to a brand with significant heritage. And Morgan's heritage is timeless. The team needs to convey that. The new car retains classic looks but manages airflow like a modern car. That means better efficiency and better handling at speed.Who is the Morgan for?The question that dogged me all weekend was, " Who is this car for?" First of all, my car stickered for close to $104,000, with about $19,000 in options. So, the first answer is that it's a car for someone with means. And at $100k, the Plus Four is in some pretty good company. But let's leave price aside for now. Who is it for?AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's not a hardcore sports car like a 911 GT3 RS. In the Porsche lineup, it competes more closely with a base 911 or a Boxster. Those are great cars, but the Morgan has more character. You could live with the 911 as your only car. The Morgan isn't that. It's your special car. Morgan says that people don't cross-shop the Plus Four with other cars. They're more likely to be in the market for a boat or other leisure activities. The Morgan is more than a car; it's a lifestyle.But let's say I were to cross-shop the Morgan with other new cars. Besides the Boxster, I'd consider a Caterham or a Meyers Manx. The Caterham is more hardcore than the Morgan. That leaves the Manx, which, like the Morgan, is bespoke. Buyers of both cars can customize their cars to make them unique. Both cars have a fun vibe that makes onlookers happy, too. The Manx, however, is more of a beach cruiser that wouldn't be comfortable on a long highway drive. The Morgan is the Swiss Army Knife between the two. Fun in the canyons, a capable tourer, and great vibes.Final ThoughtsSo, who is the Morgan for? Driving the new Plus Four, I was transported back to my 1959 +4. Seriously. I often forgot I was in a new car. Obviously, this new one is better in every way. It's safer, faster, more comfortable, and much more reliable. But it had a similar feel. The new Plus Four is really the closest you can get to a vintage car without the headaches. So who is it for? It's for someone who loves the vintage aesthetic but doesn't want to deal with any of the downsides. It's for anyone who wants a little joy in their life and is okay sharing that joy with others.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Cars section. 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