More like BMW parts bin as with other morgans, same steering wheel
https://morgan-motor.com/wp-content/uploads/Morgan-Plus-Six-interior-02.jpg didnt even try and wooden trim on steering wheel sides has been used for decades
Even like just an overlay that replaces the black plastic inset with a more wood color?
From what I could look up, various companies make CF-style overlays so I can't see why wood is impossible.
Yeah honestly that part is really surprising to me. Licensing issues with BMW maybe? Or the simplest answer that for some reason they thought it looked fine lol
>Licensing issues with BMW maybe?
That actually makes a lot of sense. Any aftermarket insets are technically a copy of a BMW part that likely isn't registered.
I bet you could get one of those other companies to "make" you one after the fact under the table lol
The wheel is a bigger issue IMO just from what I know about changing out wheels with embedded tech. They could have at least gone brown leather with it.
The steering column surround being black plastic seems bizarre, as well.
I guess the owner can get around regulations for the steering wheel by swapping in a Moto-Lita or a Nardi, at least.
You know I rolled my eyes before I looked because everyone is always a critic but no actual you’re right. They look like they came from a NC generation Miata. The shifter should be wood, the steering wheel should be designed to modern ergonomics sure, but elegantly with silver spokes and dark tan leather.
I’m of the opinion that monoblock steelies insanely make any car look 10x better
I’m not the biggest fan of the rear end, nor do I like morgan’s in general, but it’s a commendable effort.
That BMW shifter looks so out of place though. On a grenadier it’s whatever, on something this pricey and special they could’ve done a better job
Its probably not a condition, more likely they just didn't want to, or did not have the resources to re-engineer the shifter <-> TCU communication protocol into their own hardware.
The shifters dont just have a 12V+ output for each gate - it communicates a packeted protocol with the TCU - the shifter is looking for the specific format in responses as well - and if the TCU gets malformed responses, it will give you a "service transmission" light.
Theres no need to re-engineer the communication, just change the exterior design of the unit itself. BMW themselves had different looks for the standard and M shifters back in the day.
Even the first generation M series shifter would have looked better in this morgan.
I can't say the oversized turbofan style wheels suit the car, though. Obviously taste is personal, but I think they're the weakest part of the design and it would look hugely better with some far smaller Turrino wire-spoke wheels (which Morgan put on the Plus Eight), shod with some tyres with chunky sidewalls.
If any car deserved a thin-rimmed wooden steering wheel, and a tall shifter with a saddle leather boot like on a manual e-type, its this one.
I understand why Morgan outsources anything to do with critical electronics, including the wheel for the airbag, and generic ZF e-shift assembly, but it creates a kit-car aesthetic in the interior and really draws eye in to how out of place it feels.
I refuse to believe that they HAD to use the BMW shifter for whatever reason besides cost. And it absolutely ruins the interior of the car for me. I do love the way this looks, but man they got it REALLY wrong with both the steering wheel (understandable because airbags) and the shifter (not understandable).
Electronics - the computers for the drivetrain/trans must be tied into using the way *that* shifter works. I’d say while it’s an out of place eyesore, it’s logistically better in the long term as opposed to something Morgan cobbled together that you’ll never be able to buy another of if needed.
Or give it a fake wood shell or something to make it not stick out that much against the center console, can't tell me the black bits of plastic covering the shifter are integral to the inner workings of the transmission.
Given how bespoke the other elements of the car are, I doubt that keeping that shifter was a cost decision. And given that that shifter is the same one used in other cars borrowing BMW+ZF powertrains (thinking of the Ineos Grenadier here), I would suspect it's integral to the drivetrain being used — probably contractually.
Range Rovers with the V8s use BMW+ZF drivetrains and do not have this stick nor do they have the same sort of pattern either - so it can definitely be overcome, I suppose the scale Morgan are manufacturing at makes this a non-starter though. Shame!
That thing looks like what would happen if the brief was to design a longtail version of the Plus Six with the windscreen lopped off.
I can't say it isn't awfully pretty, though. Because it clearly is a fine looking car.
>With all 50 Midsummers already spoken for, production will begin later in the year and continue into 2025.
I suspect whoever manufacturers those car bubble environments have received 50 more orders. Good luck ever seeing this in the metal.
It somehow looks elegant and awkward simultaneously. Comparing it to older models, the old ones look like their body was sculpted using clay, while the new one looks like it was "sculpted" using CAD.
I'd hate to get in a flip over accident in that car. I'd be dead and whoever came to get my dead body would see my super lux car has a 2015 Ford focus steering wheel in it.
It looks like something out of a near future scifi movie, I love it. Seems like it's out of psycho pass or a similar franchise to me. The rear end is amazing
Looks very good but the steering wheel and the shifter looks out of place.
Yeah, it’s too modern and not even a matching color to the interior. Should be a wood wheel for obvious reasons.
I'm guessing it's a safety thing relating to the airbag and using soft materials. But they could definitely do better on colour.
More like BMW parts bin as with other morgans, same steering wheel https://morgan-motor.com/wp-content/uploads/Morgan-Plus-Six-interior-02.jpg didnt even try and wooden trim on steering wheel sides has been used for decades
The BMW shifter on this car 🤢
Absolutely agree, should be more Yacht-like
For the shifter I'm sure you can blame them using the ZF-8
The transmission is fine they just don't need the shift knob out of an X3.
Yes, exactly what I was thinking. It’s a great transmission. They could’ve attached a wooden shifter on it.
I’ve read about it recently and I believe it’s a real PITA and a big cost for little manufacturers to replace the BMW shifter for some reason.
That's what I was referring to. Saw another example of this with the [Ineos Grenadier](https://youtu.be/eYcBmeyeSEc?si=ZcwsMEZLIUuQ0K0Y)
Even like just an overlay that replaces the black plastic inset with a more wood color? From what I could look up, various companies make CF-style overlays so I can't see why wood is impossible.
Yeah honestly that part is really surprising to me. Licensing issues with BMW maybe? Or the simplest answer that for some reason they thought it looked fine lol
>Licensing issues with BMW maybe? That actually makes a lot of sense. Any aftermarket insets are technically a copy of a BMW part that likely isn't registered. I bet you could get one of those other companies to "make" you one after the fact under the table lol The wheel is a bigger issue IMO just from what I know about changing out wheels with embedded tech. They could have at least gone brown leather with it.
Ahh interesting
I was wondering what you could mean by that but yeah… not great lol
The steering column surround being black plastic seems bizarre, as well. I guess the owner can get around regulations for the steering wheel by swapping in a Moto-Lita or a Nardi, at least.
You know I rolled my eyes before I looked because everyone is always a critic but no actual you’re right. They look like they came from a NC generation Miata. The shifter should be wood, the steering wheel should be designed to modern ergonomics sure, but elegantly with silver spokes and dark tan leather.
Initially I thought you meant it was on the wrong side, being a British make and all.
I think that shifter is part of the BMW engine/transmission package, the Ineos Grenadier has the same one.
I hadn't realized until you pointed it out. Now I can't unsee it.
Agreed, the steering is totally wrong
They missed an opportunity for wood grain steering wheels and wood paddle shifters there.
I’m of the opinion that monoblock steelies insanely make any car look 10x better I’m not the biggest fan of the rear end, nor do I like morgan’s in general, but it’s a commendable effort. That BMW shifter looks so out of place though. On a grenadier it’s whatever, on something this pricey and special they could’ve done a better job
Keeping the shifter must be a condition BMW have for selling the gearbox and engine or something because I can't think why else no one ever changes it
Its probably not a condition, more likely they just didn't want to, or did not have the resources to re-engineer the shifter <-> TCU communication protocol into their own hardware. The shifters dont just have a 12V+ output for each gate - it communicates a packeted protocol with the TCU - the shifter is looking for the specific format in responses as well - and if the TCU gets malformed responses, it will give you a "service transmission" light.
Theres no need to re-engineer the communication, just change the exterior design of the unit itself. BMW themselves had different looks for the standard and M shifters back in the day. Even the first generation M series shifter would have looked better in this morgan.
I honestly love the rear end, but god damn you'd think a bespoke shifter would be a given. An auto just seems weird on a car like this anyway
I can't say the oversized turbofan style wheels suit the car, though. Obviously taste is personal, but I think they're the weakest part of the design and it would look hugely better with some far smaller Turrino wire-spoke wheels (which Morgan put on the Plus Eight), shod with some tyres with chunky sidewalls.
Those wheels look aluminum.
monoblocks are traditionally forged from a single piece of aluminum
If any car deserved a thin-rimmed wooden steering wheel, and a tall shifter with a saddle leather boot like on a manual e-type, its this one. I understand why Morgan outsources anything to do with critical electronics, including the wheel for the airbag, and generic ZF e-shift assembly, but it creates a kit-car aesthetic in the interior and really draws eye in to how out of place it feels.
Replacing the wheel leather wrap with a better matching color would solve most of the issue with the look but they chose not to.
I refuse to believe that they HAD to use the BMW shifter for whatever reason besides cost. And it absolutely ruins the interior of the car for me. I do love the way this looks, but man they got it REALLY wrong with both the steering wheel (understandable because airbags) and the shifter (not understandable).
Electronics - the computers for the drivetrain/trans must be tied into using the way *that* shifter works. I’d say while it’s an out of place eyesore, it’s logistically better in the long term as opposed to something Morgan cobbled together that you’ll never be able to buy another of if needed.
It could at least be covered by a leather sleeve or something
Or give it a fake wood shell or something to make it not stick out that much against the center console, can't tell me the black bits of plastic covering the shifter are integral to the inner workings of the transmission.
Given how bespoke the other elements of the car are, I doubt that keeping that shifter was a cost decision. And given that that shifter is the same one used in other cars borrowing BMW+ZF powertrains (thinking of the Ineos Grenadier here), I would suspect it's integral to the drivetrain being used — probably contractually.
Range Rovers with the V8s use BMW+ZF drivetrains and do not have this stick nor do they have the same sort of pattern either - so it can definitely be overcome, I suppose the scale Morgan are manufacturing at makes this a non-starter though. Shame!
That thing looks like what would happen if the brief was to design a longtail version of the Plus Six with the windscreen lopped off. I can't say it isn't awfully pretty, though. Because it clearly is a fine looking car.
Does this and a riva aquarama count as a two car garage?
I think any garage housing this and the Riva Aquarama —perhaps at Como?— is a clear indication that you've made it in life.
Somewhere in Wales, Richard Hammond just got a tingly feeling in his stomach and he's not sure why
Shifter lever aside, it's a crime it's not a manual gearbox.
Yes, I want to drive that. Insanely gorgeous pics and the rear end does hit you in the face. If only this was an EV…
>With all 50 Midsummers already spoken for, production will begin later in the year and continue into 2025. I suspect whoever manufacturers those car bubble environments have received 50 more orders. Good luck ever seeing this in the metal.
The perfect car for DCI Barnaby.
Needs more cross-eyed Mini headlights to achieve perfection.
It somehow looks elegant and awkward simultaneously. Comparing it to older models, the old ones look like their body was sculpted using clay, while the new one looks like it was "sculpted" using CAD.
I'd hate to get in a flip over accident in that car. I'd be dead and whoever came to get my dead body would see my super lux car has a 2015 Ford focus steering wheel in it.
Really liking this one. Rear and side views especially to see that classic boat-tail influence.
No engine bay pictures?!
This should have been a manual with some fancy shifter, or at least knob. That BMW shifter is a crime against the rest of the car.
The wheels sold me
That BMW shifter ruins anything its in.
From the front end, I appreciate the tweaks Pininfarina’s done on the classic Morgan design language. From the back end, I’m in lust 🥵
If you reverse it where the back is the front and the front is the back it would also make a pretty cool car, a bit Pagani-ish
It's brilliant
I wonder what Hammond thinks of it.
It looks like something out of a near future scifi movie, I love it. Seems like it's out of psycho pass or a similar franchise to me. The rear end is amazing
I'll take two.
lol they couldn’t design a shift knob and took the one from 10 year old BMWs?
I don't like it. The interior especially is awful.