Tag Archives: british
Morgan Returns To US With Four-Wheel Models
British automaker Morgan recently announced that it will be bringing back its four-wheel models to the United States after 10 years of absence. It will be sold through Morgan’s official US distributor, Isis Imports, according to TopSpeed.
Morgan was previously only allowed to sell the three-wheeler model in the US, but Isis (thanks to a new law) now will be able to import the more traditional four-wheeled models.
The British carmaker did not reveal what particular models will be ushered along the US coastline, but they would probably bring cars from the Classic lineup such as the 4/4, Plus 4, Roadster and Plus 8.
In a statement, Isis Imports said details are still being finalized although it looks like Morgan will start receiving orders for the four-wheeled models this summer. The statement added that US spec cars would start to be produced before the year ends.
Isis is even already accepting deposits for four-wheeled Morgans. This is refundable “up until eight weeks prior to the build of your car after your specifications are finalized.”
Though pricing information is not yet available, the US-spec, four-wheeled Morgans will expectedly be a bit more expensive than their British-market counterparts.
The most likely model to first arrive is the Roadster, which uses a 3.7-liter V-6 rated at 280 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Weighing only 2,094 pounds, the Roadster hits 62 mph from a standing start in only 5.5 seconds and tops out at 140 mph.
This is certainly a welcome news for US-based retro car lovers who keep on bugging the Morgan company to bring the cars back to US shores. The need for retro UK-made vehicles was high among Americans.
Morgan’s return to the US will mark the comeback of the only auto company that still based its models on the classic recipe. Although we won’t be seeing a full lineup of Morgan cars, one or two is more than what the US is expecting to have in its market.
Aston Martin To Overhaul Lineup With Seven-Model Range
Aston Martin said it’s not overhauling its lineup, but it sure looks like it since it announced that it is looking to build a seven-model lineup. It will mark a new era for the British luxury car brand.
Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer told Car & Driver that the new model range will begin with replacing the already existing V8 Vantage. It will still be called the same and is expected to be launched next year.
It will use the AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin turbo V-8 engine, marking the first time the brand is using this specific powertrain. Drivers can choose between a manual and automatic transmission. There’s a rumored V-12 version of the Vantage, but Aston Martin hasn’t announced plans yet for that. It hasn’t even confirmed if it is even building one.
As soon as the replacement Vantage comes out in the market, Aston Martin said it will start working on a new Vanquish, which is scheduled to come out in 2018. There are no details yet about the supercar, although Palmer said the Vanquish will likely have the technologies that is coming out in the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing partnership.
Apparently, the new Vanquish might come with structural carbon fiber and KERS technology.
Aside from the two initial models, Aston Martin is also preparing the DB11, which was first seen during the Geneva Auto Show. A replacement for the DB9, the DB11 will come with the newly developed 5.2-liter turbocharged V-12 engine. It will arrive around the same time as the Vantage. There would also be a V-8 version, but there are no specific plans yet for that.
To round up the models are two others we already heard about—the Lagonda SUV and the DBX electric crossover. There are also other possibilities such as the RapidE Concept, the V-12 version of the Vantage or the V-8 version of the DB11.