Morgan, known for its off-road-ready CX-T, has taken a surprising turn with its latest special model called the Midsummer. Collaborating with Italian design firm Pininfarina, Morgan has designed a speedster specifically for ideal conditions on paved roads. The Midsummer is built on the CX line of bonded aluminum-chassis four-wheel sports cars that the company currently offers, but with extensive styling changes for both aesthetics and function.
One of the most noticeable changes is the grille, which now features a shroud with vents reminiscent of the Super 3. Additionally, a considerable front spoiler has been added to reduce lift, made of polished stainless steel like the rocker panels and lower portion of the tail. The elongated tail gives the car an art-deco flair. The entire body is hand-formed aluminum, taking around 250 hours to fabricate. Sitting on 19-inch forged aluminum wheels that weigh 6.6 pounds less than the standard wheels used on the Plus Six, the Midsummer exudes a sense of elegance and speed.
The most striking aspect of the Midsummer is undoubtedly the cut-down windshield and the addition of wood panels. Instead of a full glass windscreen, low, clear deflectors now take its place. In an effort to draw attention to the design, teak wood panels have been incorporated into the dash top and above the doors. These panels are meticulously crafted from hundreds of thin pieces of teak, paying homage to Morgan’s history of using body panels made of metal over wood frames.
Moving inside, the Midsummer boasts fully unique analog dials and a forged aluminum steering wheel. The upholstery is trimmed in oxblood leather, creating a stunning contrast against the off-white paint. The only element that looks somewhat out of place is the shifter, which appears to be borrowed straight from a BMW. However, this is due to the fact that the Midsummer relies on a BMW powertrain, similar to the Plus Six. Although specific details were not provided by Morgan, it is safe to assume that the Midsummer will offer similar performance to the Plus Six, which produces 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque from its turbocharged inline-six engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Morgan plans to produce only 50 examples of the Midsummer, with production starting in the third quarter of this year and ending in the following year. The company invites customers who are interested in purchasing one to reach out with their design ideas. While no pricing information has been released, it is expected to be in line with Morgan’s reputation for exclusivity and craftsmanship. The Midsummer is also scheduled to make its first public appearance at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed.