British sports car rivals Porsche thrill for less

The Morgan Supersport, a hand-built British sports car, matched a Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS and a Maserati MCPura Cielo during a recent test in the North York Moors. Though not a direct rival in price or performance, the Supersport stood out for its driving feel and classic appeal.

A boot hiccup and a car that shouldn’t be driven without sidescreens

The test almost didn’t start. The Morgan’s boot release failed, locking its removable sidescreens inside. Without them, the car becomes nearly undriveable—wind rushes in with enough force to lift eyelids. A temporary solution required removing part of the rear bumper to manually free the latch.

Other quirks emerged. Still, the Supersport’s charm comes from its character, not mechanical perfection.

Three convertibles, three distinct personalities

The Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS, a hybrid-powered rear-engine coupe with a removable roof panel, offered precision and polish. Its 3.6-liter flat-six, combined with an electric motor and eTurbo, generated 534 horsepower. The car felt heavy but well-controlled, with a firm ride that improved at higher speeds. The Targa’s glass rear section, however, created an annoying hum above 45 mph.

The Maserati MCPura Cielo, a mid-engine supercar with a folding hardtop, provided a more raw experience. Its twin-turbo V6 delivered an unpredictable surge of acceleration. In its stiffest suspension setting, the car felt demanding, rewarding skilled drivers but punishing errors.

The Morgan, equipped with a turbocharged BMW inline-six, offered a traditional feel. Its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and manual-adjustable dampers gave it a direct steering response and a chassis that allowed for controlled slides. Yet the powertrain lacked drama, nearly drowned out by wind noise.

Driving impressions: precision vs. personality

In poor weather, the Porsche performed best. Its all-wheel-drive system adapted effortlessly to wet roads. It required aggressive driving to feel truly engaging, but its predictability made it the safest choice. The Maserati, by contrast, needed constant focus. Its rear end could slide unexpectedly, especially with stability control partially off. When pushed, it delivered an intoxicating mix of power and unpredictability.

The Morgan shone at lower speeds. Its light weight and responsive steering made it feel agile and communicative. On tight, technical roads, it rewarded finesse over brute force. The car’s quirks—like a gear selector borrowed from an older BMW—added to its appeal, even if they highlighted the limitations of a small-scale manufacturer.

Build quality varied widely. The Maserati had uneven panel gaps, while the Morgan’s windows rattled. The Porsche felt solid in every detail, from its interior materials to its intuitive controls.

The Morgan’s ability to compete at all was notable. It didn’t match the Porsche’s refinement or the Maserati’s speed, but it offered something neither could: a connection to driving’s analog roots. The Supersport’s limitations—wind noise, manual roof, occasional reliability issues—were part of what made it special.

For drivers who value engagement over perfection, the Morgan proved its worth. It wouldn’t replace a 911 or a Maserati for most buyers, but it didn’t need to. Its purpose was different: a reminder that excitement doesn’t always come from the fastest or most expensive cars.

The test ended with the Morgan’s sidescreens finally secure. A minor win, but one that counted.

A similar contrast in driving experiences can be seen in the Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo, which blends high-speed capability with everyday usability.