The Morgan Supersport, the British automaker’s latest sports car, will soon be available in the U.S.—but with two key differences from its European counterpart.
Why the U.S. version is less powerful
The European Supersport packs a 3.0-liter turbocharged BMW B58 straight-six engine, producing 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The U.S. model, however, swaps that for a modified 2.0-liter BMW B46 four-cylinder, tuned to meet strict emissions standards in states like California.
That change drops output to 255 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Morgan hasn’t released acceleration figures for the U.S. version, but the lighter engine also trims curb weight to 1,143 kg—down from 1,170 kg in Europe—resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 223 horsepower per ton.
The shift reflects a broader trend: many performance cars sold in Europe arrive with less power than their U.S. or Japanese counterparts due to tighter emissions rules. The Ford Mustang Dark Horse, for example, makes 500 horsepower in the U.S. but just 453 in Europe. The Toyota GR Yaris follows a similar pattern, with 300 horsepower in Japan versus 276 in Europe.
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How Morgan bypassed U.S. approval rules
The Supersport’s U.S. debut hinges on a niche regulation that allows automakers to sell up to 325 units annually of a vehicle “intended to resemble the body” of an older car—without undergoing the full federal approval process. Though the Supersport is a new design, its retro styling qualifies it for the exemption.
Beyond the engine, the U.S. version mirrors the European model. It retains the all-aluminum chassis (though some wooden structural elements remain), a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive. Optional upgrades include a limited-slip differential and a handling package with adjustable Nitron dampers.
Standard U.S. models also feature a bespoke aluminum gear selector, replacing the off-the-shelf BMW unit found in earlier versions. That component was first introduced as an option on the track-focused Supersport 400.
Pricing for the U.S. Supersport starts at $119,995, excluding taxes and destination fees—roughly £88,750 at current exchange rates. That’s nearly £16,000 less than the £105,160 base price in the U.K., though European buyers still get the more powerful engine.
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For now, the Supersport’s U.S. arrival marks a rare case where American buyers won’t face a power deficit. But the trade-off—a smaller engine for emissions compliance—may leave some enthusiasts questioning whether the lighter weight fully compensates for the performance gap.
The car’s reception will likely hinge on how well its handling and driving trends translate with the less potent powertrain. Morgan’s decision to prioritize U.S. sales suggests confidence in the market, but the real test will come once owners get behind the wheel.
Deliveries are expected to begin later this year, with allocations likely to sell out quickly given the brand’s limited production runs.
