Sand beige, and equipped with the full 'Expedition Pack', this six-figure CX-T is ready for anything
By Matt Bird / Monday, 12 September 2022 / Loading comments
The Morgan CX-T was such a perfect blend of heritage and contemporary Instagramability that it’s a wonder something like it didn’t happen sooner. For almost as long as Morgan has existed they’ve been off-road in some form or another; not Camel Trophy-style exploring, sure, but trialling, overlanding and adventuring to spots small sports car really shouldn’t reach. The CX-T played to that chapter of Morgan’s past nicely, with its half-a-BMW-xDrive rear axle and the input of Rally Raid UK delivering just enough off-road ability to justify the liberties taken with the styling.
Of course, like Bentley track cars or Minis with two engines, the CX-T’s incongruity was central to its stylistic appeal. Most are familiar with Morgans as transport for sunny Sundays, so the transformation to rally racer was always intended to seem dramatic. It worked, too; you smiled at the silliness, while simultaneously marvelling at the attention to detail.
There was plenty of hardware to back up the Action Man look, too, with extensive underbody protection, EXE-TC dampers, 230mm of ground clearance and all-terrain tyres. You still wouldn’t take on Dakar with an EX-T, but it was way more capable than a Plus Four had any right to be – Silverstone Rally School proved that. From diff to dampers and body to brakes, it all just felt so tough, fit for purpose and willing to lap up punishment. Which wasn’t entirely expected.
Given all that, it’s no surprise that all eight CX-Ts found buyers, even at £200k. Now though, for whatever reason, a CX-T is already available secondhand, with just 1,000 miles on the clock and a whole lifetime of exploring ahead of it. And while this isn’t the press car we drove last year, it has been kitted out with a very similar spec. That means Sand Beige paint, bronze Evo Corse wheels and the Expedition Kit, comprised of those fuel cans, spare wheels, spade, tools and so on. The option you’d absolutely want on a CX-T, basically, even if it’s just for the look. The original owner of this car also wanted a dog as part of the livery (look by the leather panniers) if you need a quick identifying feature from the media car.
Number 3 also gets black leather inside with ‘Matte Raven’ veneers to complement it. The exterior Expedition Pack is paired with one inside, which brings a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, extra USB ports and map storage with map light (using a tungsten bulb because LEDs are too harsh, of course). This CX-T is all set for whatever adventure is coming next, essentially, from city to safari.
Left-hand drive might put some UK buyers off, but it means this CX-T makes sense in many more countries than it doesn’t. The speedo is in MPH for a taste of home, at least, and the manual will undoubtedly please traditionalists. This one is being sold by Morgan from its London dealership for £210,000, or pretty much exactly what it would have cost new with the options added. Despite its incredibly low production run, it seems unlikely that the CX-T will noticeably appreciate (this is already more than three times what a Plus Four costs), but you would expect a lot of its value to be retained in the best tradition. Even if Morgan does what we’re all desperate for it to do and makes a Plus Six CX-T as well…
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