Morgan hikes Australian prices

NICHE British car-maker Morgan says the declining value of the Australian dollar has necessitated price increases of up to $110,000 across all but one of its models.

The microscopic manufacturer, which has fewer than 200 workers and is based in the town of Malvern, hand-makes a small range of two-doors with designs harking back to the early twentieth century.

All models in its Australian range, including the 4/4 Plus 4, Roadster, Plus 8 and Aero Coupe, come in for price hikes, with the notable exception of the flagship $339,900 (plus on-road costs) Aero Supersports, a bonafide performance machine that cops a $35,000 price cut instead.

The price hikes were a by-product of currency flows, according to Morgan Cars Australia spokesman Chris van Wyk, who said “after a long period of price stability, the declining value of the Australian Dollar does now impose the need for some price increases across the Morgan range”.

The price of entry to the range is now $79,990 for the 4/4 Classic open-top, an increase of $7390. The olde worlde machine is powered by a Ford 1.6-litre engine with 82kW and 131Nm, but its feather-light mass of 795kg keeps its standing 0-100km/h sprint time to 8.0 seconds.

While on-road costs vary from State to State, Morgan says the actual drive-away price in Victoria – the home of its local distributor – is $86,966.

Next step up is the 106kW/187Nm Ford-engined Plus 4, which climbs to $94,990 (up $5080). The 209kW/352Nm Roadster V6 and the (BMW-engined) 270kW/490Nm Plus 8 climb to $133,990 and $228,990 respectively, price hikes of $4090 and $11,000.

Finally, the Aero Coupe, which uses the same BMW-made 4.8-litre V8 as the Plus 8, now costs $274,990, which is $10,090 more expensive than before.

Only the open-topped 4.8-litre V8 SuperSports gets any price relief, with its new $339,990 price $35,100 cheaper than before.

Morgan sold 15 cars Down Under in 2013, compared to 16 in 2012.

The local Morgan range is expected to accommodate the wild 3 Wheeler in the near future, with final ADR approval almost concluded.

Morgan Australia revised pricing:*

4/4 Classic	$79,990 (+$7390)
Plus 4	$94,990 (+$5080)
Roadster	$133,990 (+$4090)
Plus 8	$228,990 (+$11,000)
Aero Coupe	$274,990 (+$10,090)
SuperSports	$339,990 (-$35,100)
*Plus on-road costs