GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: All-new Morgan Plus Six gets Supra power

Celebrating 110-years of car-making, the Morgan Plus Six is the $150,000 roadster the famous British sports car-maker is pinning its future on.

Said to be the first all-new model in 19 years, despite looking nearly identical to the Plus 8 it replaces, the Morgan Plus Six shares little or nothing with any existing model in the current line-up.

The big change, that some enthusiasts will lament, is the old car's sonorous V8 has been replaced by BMW's latest B58 3.0-litre inline turbocharged six-cylinder that produces 250kW under the Morgan Plus Six's bonnet -- the same donk used in both the latest BMW Z4 and the reborn Toyota Supra.

Combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission, Morgan says its lightweight Plus Six (1075kg) is capable of reaching 100km/h from standstill in just 4.2 seconds, topping out 268km/h.

Based on Morgan's all-new CX 'wide body' aluminium architecture, the Morgan Plus Six gets double wishbone suspension upfront and a new five-link multi-link rear-end.

Inside, the CX underpinnings are said to have liberated around 200mm more legroom for taller drivers while providing bigger doors and a larger boot. That's despite being about the same overall size as the outgoing Plus 8.

Sticking with tradition, locally-grown ash wood supports the body on the new car.

Morgan's only concession to driver aids is ABS brakes but modernity has crept into the Plus Six cabin as there's now a configurable TFT screen ahead of the driver, but no large imposing touchscreen infotainment system to speak of.

Small luxuries now include remote central locking, auto headlamps and puddle lighting.

Sharpening (or dulling) throttle and transmission response, Morgan will offer a choice of comfort, sport and sport plus modes.

Set to be priced at £80,000 ($A150,000), Morgan says it plans to make around six cars a week when production soon begins at its Worcestershire Malvern HQ,