Rally-ready Morgan Plus Four CX-T emerges

Morgan has rattled its traditional fanbase by rolling out a rally-raid version of its latest Plus Four roadster that's called the CX-T.

Claimed to be "designed explicitly for overland adventure", just eight examples of the 2021 Morgan Plus Four CX-T will be built and each Dakar rally-inspired roadster will cost a hefty £200,000 ($A375,000).

The limited-run model is essentially a four-wheeled advertisement that demonstrates the strength and rigidity of Morgan's all-new CX monocoque chassis that underpins both the new Plus Four and Plus Six roadsters.

Built in collaboration with respected UK-based motorsport engineering firm Rally Raid, which normally prepares cars for the Dakar rally, the Morgan Plus Four CX-T was treated to some significant upgrades to the suspension, aluminium structure and underbody to ensure it can cope with high-speed racing across dirt, gravel and rocky terrain.

Beginning with the suspension, engineers from Rally Raid and Morgan adopted the longer front suspension from the Plus Six to give it more travel. The two companies then adapted a set of coil-overs from Exe-TC – a firm that normally supplies suspension for WRC teams.

The result is the Morgan CX-T has had its ground clearance boosted to 230mm, with 125mm of suspension travel. That's up from the standard car's 120mm clearance, and is higher than a Jeep Wrangler (217mm).

Ensuring all four wheels don't bash the aluminium wheel-arches under compression, Morgan had to redesign them to create more space within.

Protecting the underbody, there's five new panels that include a full powertrain guard.

In the event of a rollover, Morgan has developed an external roll cage that not only protects but also provides as a useful mount for two full-size spare wheels, a tool box and luggage cases.

For those who are not keen on off-road racing, Morgan will also customise the CX-T's cage with mountings for other outdoor gear, from surfboards to kayaks and even roof-mounted tents.

Other changes include a more durable exhaust system that features cool integrated outlets in the rear arches.

Featuring smaller wheels than a regular Plus Four, the CX-T wears Maxxis Worm-Drive all-terrain tyres favoured by hard-core off-roaders.

Under the bonnet, the BMW-sourced B48 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder carries over and produces the same 190kW and 400Nm of torque as the Plus Four.

As standard, the Morgan CX-T comes with a six-speed manual and BMW's electronically-controlled limited-slip differential that alters its reactions depending on what drive mode you're in.

In Sport and Normal modes, the diff replicates what it does in the standard Plus Four, but in the new All-Terrain setting it recalibrates to a 45 per cent lock.

To compensate for the large tyre and small wheel combination, the final drive of the gearbox has been lowered.

Although it's likely to make traditionalists wince, the car-maker says the Plus Four CX-T actually pays homage to Morgan cars that have competed in off-road endurance trials that date back to 1911.

Morgan hasn't released performance details for the CX-T, but considering it weighs almost 300kg heavier than the standard Plus Four it's unlikely to match the latter's 5.2-second 0-100km/h sprint time and 240km/h top speed.

The new Morgan Plus Four CX-T is claimed to be the first of two special projects that the niche British car-maker will reveal this year, with the second expected to be a small run of the track-bred Plus 8 that has already been teased.

There's no word if any of the eight CX-Ts are destined to make it Down Under.