Latest news with #sports cars
Motor Trend
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Driven! The 2025 Morgan Plus Four Is an Exotic at a Much Nicer Price
Forbidden fruit no more! Morgan's defiantly anachronistic Plus Four roadster is now available in the U.S. The Plus Four is here thanks to a provision in the 2016 FAST Act (Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act). Under the provision, automakers building cars based on a licensed design that's at least 25 years old are now allowed to sell up to 325 replica vehicles a year in the United States without them meeting complex and costly modern U.S. safety regulations. The 2025 Morgan Plus Four, now available in the U.S. thanks to the 2016 FAST Act, offers a vintage style with modern features. Priced at $84,995, it combines hand-built exclusivity with a BMW turbo engine, delivering 255 hp. It's a unique, charismatic alternative to pricier sports cars. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next There are a couple of caveats: Only automakers building fewer than 5,000 cars a year are eligible, and the act requires their vehicles to have engines that meet current EPA emissions standards. The 2025 Morgan Plus Four easily qualifies on all counts. It looks as if it has driven straight out of the 1930s, with the same sweeping fenders, cutaway doors, flat windshield, and long louvered hood that four-cylinder Morgans have had for decades. It's hand-built at the factory on Pickersleigh Road in Malvern Link, England, where Morgans have been made for more than 100 years by a workforce that last year produced about 850 cars in total. And it's powered the same turbocharged four-cylinder engine that powers a range of BMWs currently sold in the U.S. Morgan has been selling its fun and funky Super 3 three-wheeler here since 2023 (and its predecessor for years before that). But it's been 20 years since American sports car enthusiasts have been able to buy a new Morgan with a full complement of wheels between their backsides and the bitumen. The good news is the new Plus Four, which sits between the Super 3 and the new six-cylinder Supersport in the recently modernized Morgan lineup, has been worth the wait. For all its vintage exterior style, the Plus Four is a modern car. It's built on the ultra-light CX bonded-aluminum chassis Morgan unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show and has a multilink suspension front and rear, ABS-modulated disc brakes all around, traction control, stability control, and a limited-slip differential. A Dynamic Handling package, which includes adjustable shocks and a rear axle roll bar, is available as an option. U.K. buyers can order a Plus Four with a six-speed manual transmission, but all U.S.-market models will be equipped with BMW's smooth eight-speed automatic with Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Manual shift modes. The Plus Four comes standard with power steering and remote central locking, as well as a 36-month, 36,000-mile warranty. A Bluetooth-controlled Sennheiser audio system and air conditioning are available. The modern stuff you don't get is the modern stuff you won't miss, stuff like cruise control, lane keep assist, speed warning chimes. Even with that automatic transmission, the Morgan gives serious drivers plenty to play with. In Plus Four spec, BMW's versatile B48 2.0-liter turbo-four develops 255 hp at 4,000 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque from just 1,000 rpm to 4,300 rpm. In a car that weighs less than 2,400 pounds, that's muscle enough to get it from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 149 mph. Those numbers don't tell the entire story, though. Torquey and compact—it's more than 20 inches shorter and 5 inches narrower than a base Porsche 718 Boxster, with a 13 percent better weight-to-power ratio—the Plus Four is exhilaratingly rapid on narrow, winding two-lane roads. Indeed, with the powertrain switched to Sport+ mode and using the fixed paddles behind the steering wheel to shift manually, with the wind in your hair and your elbows exposed by the cutaway doors, the Morgan feels almost as quick as a Porsche 911 Carrera from 45 mph to 100 mph. While it's quick between the corners, once you arrive at them, the Plus Four likes to be braked early, turned in early, and have the power fed in early. The stiff, relatively short-travel suspension and the BMW engine's insistent torque mean the Morgan can feel a little skittish if the road surface is lumpy and greasy and you're too eager with your right foot. That said, once your backside is calibrated to sitting barely a foot ahead of the rear wheels, the yaw motions feel relatively relaxed. The power steering is light and accurate, but the dialogue between the tarmac and those distant front tires is not particularly explicit. Learning to compensate for that is the key to getting the most out of this old-school roadster. It can be challenging to hustle hard, the Morgan Plus Four, but only in the sense that you must learn to work with its nuances. That said, the automatic transmission and easy torque make the Plus Four a breeze to drive around town. Punch the gas, and you'll easily plug gaps in the traffic drivers of wider modern sports cars won't dare contemplate, enjoying waves and grins from folks who wouldn't look twice at a Ferrari. The Plus Four comes standard with 15-inch wheels, the design of which has a faintly '60s/'70s vibe, but it can be ordered with classic wire wheels in a variety of finishes, from silver to chrome to colors ranging from black and blue to red and green. The wire wheels are genuine center-lock items that fit over splined axles, which means cars ordered this way are literally built from the wheels up. Fittingly, the standard 205/60R15 tires are by Avon, a niche British brand that started making auto tires in 1906, four years before Morgan was founded, and since 1997 has been owned by Ohio-based Cooper Tire. As the Plus Four is hand-built—each takes about a month to complete—it can be painted and trimmed exactly the way you want. For the U.S. market Morgan offers four standard solid colors, with 12 additional solid colors, 14 metallic colors, and three pearl finishes available at extra cost, all of which can be teamed with one of seven soft-top colors. And if none of those paint colors appeals, Morgan will do paint to sample. The seats can be trimmed in one of up to 18 soft- or pebble-grain leather colors or one of five two-tone leather combinations. You can have the dash painted silver, black, or body color and have matching leather or one of seven wood veneers put on the center console if you don't want it painted black or body color. At $84,995 (excluding import duty, sales taxes, and destination charge) the Morgan Plus Four is, in the context of a Mazda MX-5 Miata, an expensive four-cylinder roadster. But what your money buys you is an ultra-exclusive sports car from a specialist automaker that's been building cars like this for more than 110 years. In that context, this Morgan is a stone-cold bargain when compared with, say, an Aston Martin Vantage, let alone a $4.3 million Bugatti Tourbillion. Quirky and charismatic, the Morgan Plus Four is the antithesis of today's sanitized sports cars, and it's a sports car with an arguably more authentic pedigree than a modern Porsche 911. It's not for everyone. But you wouldn't want it to be.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tuners Are Going To Love Toyota's Latest Overengineered Turbo Engine
Tuners Are Going To Love Toyota's Latest Overengineered Turbo Engine originally appeared on Autoblog. Toyota has long been claiming that there is no single path to carbon neutrality, arguing that cleaner combustion engines and hybrids need to bridge the gap to electric cars powered by renewable energy. With a back catalog of brilliant engines like the overengineered 2JZ, which is still revered 35 years after its 1JZ foundation was built, Toyota knows what it takes to beat the world's best, and its upcoming 1.5- (black top) and 2.0-liter (red top) four-cylinder engines appear poised to handle the weight of expectation with ease. According to Toyota engineers who spoke with German publication Auto Motor und Sport, the G20E (that's the 2.0-liter) is easily capable of exceeding the 400-450-horsepower figure of the mid-engine GR Yaris M concept: "With a larger turbocharger, more than 600 hp is easily possible." View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Toyota has recently indicated that its sports cars could go hybrid, and with an engine this small and powerful supporting any electrification, that could be quite an exciting proposition. The MR2 is rumored to return with hybrid power, and a mid-engine sports car with a 600-hp thermal motor being complemented by an electric motor of another couple hundred horsepower could be quite a tantalizing entree to the forthcoming Lexus supercar. Toyota has confirmed that a new Celica is on the way, too, so there are plenty of applications for both new engines. The G16E-GTS turbocharged three-cylinder found in the production GR Yaris and its GR Corolla big brother already delivers in excess of 300 hp, so a detuned G20E (or even its 1.5-liter sibling) could be an immensely reliable - and likely even more fuel-efficient - replacement for both cars. It's also safe to assume that Toyota is considering putting this in the next GR86, since many buyers have clamored for the torque of a turbocharged engine, and if Toyota strengthens it further, it may even have a future in a has reportedly been testing the engine in Lexus sedans, so it could be refined enough for a luxury application like the imminently departing IS. What really piques our interest, however, is a comment made by one of the engineers to the German publication: "We left enough space between the cylinders so that the engine can be bored out considerably." That's more good news for all the aftermarket tuners who will doubtless begin seeking to extract more power from the G20E the moment they get their grubby paws on it, but it also means that Toyota itself may well enlarge this four-cylinder to provide a smoother experience in cars that may otherwise have been powered by six-cylinder engines. Not that there's any reason to worry in that regard - reports out of Japan claim that, if BMW's B58 is dropped, Mazda will provide the straight-six for the next Supra. Although unconfirmed, this news seems credible since the G20E and its 1.5-liter sibling were not announced in isolation; Mazda and Subaru also presented rotary and boxer prototype powertrains when the G20E was revealed as part of the triarchy's "Multipathway Approach," announced almost exactly one year ago. The rush to create evermore efficient combustion engines may well be less frenetic with a collaborative approach to innovation. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Tuners Are Going To Love Toyota's Latest Overengineered Turbo Engine first appeared on Autoblog on Jun 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 Lotus Emira Adds Fuel to the Lotus Lineup, with 4 or 6 Cylinders
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Lotus is making a massive push for its battery-electric powertrains, with the vast majority of its lineup eschewing internal combustion. But there is still one ICE-powered Lotus in the portfolio that carries the name Emira. Taking what the brand has learned from its Elise, Exige, and Evora, the Emira sticks with the brand's sports car ethos. Powering the Emira is either a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 or a turbocharged 2.0-liter I4. Despite the difference in cylinders, both engines advertise 400 hp. If you want to row your own gears, you'll have to look at the V6. On this episode of Quick Spin, Autoweek's Mark Vaughn hops behind the wheel of the 2025 Lotus Emira, puts it through its paces, takes you on a guided tour of the coupe, and highlights some of his favorite features. Later, Vaughn takes you along for a live drive review of this Lotus, then chats with host Wesley Wren about the Emira, Lotus' electric endeavors, and more. Closing the show, the pair breaks down what makes the Emira special. Tune in below, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are played.
Auto Car
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
The best electric sports cars – driven, rated and ranked
If any sector best highlights the speed of our transition to electric, it's the sports car class. Traditionally the preserve of petrol-soaked, adrenaline-pumping machines, this corner of the market is growing in size and full of contenders that shine in not just the EV field, but also the sports car segment as a whole. This new source of power is delivering the sort of power and performance that internally combusted alternatives could only dream about – as well as broadening the definition of a 'high-performance car'. That's why our list runs the gamut from traditional low-slung sportsters to curvaceous coupés and continent-crushing GTs. We've gathered models from established players of the driver's car art, plus makers more normally associated with humbler offerings. This is also one of the fastest-moving market sectors, with new additions arriving all the time. So some of the cars you see here can be driven out of a showroom today, while others are little more than a line in an order book. Our top pick is the Alpine A290, which was awarded Best Fun EV at the 2025 Autocar Awards. Our experienced judges awarded it the prize due to its blend of engaging dynamics, excellent performance and comfortable daily demeanour. "It picks up where Renault's hot hatches left off," our judges said. But what else makes our list? Let's get to it and run through the best electric sports cars money can buy today.
Al Bawaba
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Al Bawaba
Porsche Centre Kuwait celebrates 'The Night of the Classics'
Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company - the leading automotive brand and pioneer in sports car design, engineering and technology, hosted an exclusive celebration titled: 'The Night of the Classics' at its state-of-the-art showroom in Shuwaikh. This special event commemorated a significant milestone—the one-year anniversary of Porsche Centre Kuwait being officially recognised as a Porsche Classic Partner. Held inside the Porsche Museum at Porsche Centre Kuwait, the evening transported guests into a world of heritage and cinematic nostalgia. Attendees included VIP customers, Porsche collectors, social media influencers, and media representatives, all of whom gathered to celebrate the timeless spirit of Porsche. The highlight of the evening was a nostalgic movie night, featuring the legendary Porsche 911 Turbo (964) in one of its most iconic chase scenes. The classic cinematic experience was enhanced with retro-style snacks, curated photo moments, and personalized giveaways. Guests also enjoyed live customization experiences, adding a dynamic and luxurious twist to the celebration. Mr. Hany Marie, General Manager of Porsche Centre Kuwait, shared his enthusiasm for the event and what it represents: 'At Porsche Centre Kuwait, we believe in celebrating the past while continuing to shape the future. Our goal is to create meaningful experiences for our customers that reflect the heritage and vision of Porsche. Events like this are more than just entertainment—they're about bringing the Porsche community together and honouring the iconic milestones that make our brand truly unique.' Becoming an official Porsche Classic Partner is a prestigious designation awarded by Porsche AG to only a select number of dealerships worldwide that meet the highest standards in classic vehicle service, restoration, and authenticity. Porsche Centre Kuwait's recognition in 2024 positioned the country as the third in the Arab region to receive this title—joining the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon—and further established Kuwait as a key hub in the world of classic sports cars. This certification brings immense value to Porsche owners and collectors across the region. As a Classic Partner, Porsche Centre Kuwait offers specialised services tailored for vintage Porsche models, including factory-approved repairs, authentic spare parts, expert restoration work, and access to exclusive events. With trained technicians, dedicated facilities, and a deep understanding of the brand's historical models, the centre ensures that every classic Porsche receives the attention and respect it deserves. Porsche Centre Kuwait is not only home to the largest Porsche destination in the Middle East and Africa, but also a regional leader in cultivating brand heritage and customer passion. Through engaging experiences, Porsche Centre Kuwait continues to bridge the legacy of Porsche with the excitement of its innovative future.
