Morgan Plus Six Dominates Quarter-Mile Showdown Against BMW M240i And Toyota Supra
Liam Campbell
2 minutes read
Four cars powered by BMW’s B58 3.0-liter inline-six lined up at Carwow’s drag strip, and the lightest one won every time. The Morgan Plus Six, in its 402-hp Supersport 400 guise, weighs just 1,170 kg. It makes a compelling case that weight matters more than power on a straight line.
Four B58s, One Lightweight Winner
The line-up turns the test into a rare engineering experiment. BMW fits the B58 to the Z4 M40i and the three-row X7, while Toyota built the fifth-generation Supra around it. Ineos and Morgan took the same inline-six in opposite directions, one chasing off-road torque and the other chasing featherweight thrust.
Demand for the Supra and its siblings is clearly strong, with the GR Supra and Z4 sold out in the US. That makes this comparison relevant to buyers weighing a B58 car today.
| ⚙️Engine / Powertrain | 3.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-Six (BMW B58) |
| 🐎Power Output | 402 HP (408 PS) |
| ⚡Peak Torque | 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) |
| ⏱️0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) | 0-60 mph in 3.9s (est.), 11.8s quarter mile |
| 🚀Top Speed | 170 mph (274 km/h) (est.) |
| 🔄Drivetrain / Gearbox | 8-Speed ZF Automatic / RWD |
| 💰Starting Price / Est. | £138,883 (UK) |
Why Morgan Plus Six Weight Wins
On paper, the numbers sit close. The Morgan makes 402 hp and 500 Nm, while the M240i xDrive offers 386 hp and 540 Nm with all-wheel drive. The BMW weighs 1,690 kg, and that gap decides the result.
Even so, the Morgan’s 6.4 pounds per horsepower compares to 9.7 for the BMW. The Supersport 400 ran an 11.8-second quarter mile, while the M240i’s best was 12.6 seconds. The Supra trailed the BMW by a tenth of a second.
Tuning and Torque Tell Different Stories
European Supras run a milder tune than the 382-hp US cars. The revised M240i gains 18 PS and 30 lb-ft from its 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which helps explain its launch edge.
The Grenadier brought the most power to the strip, tuned to 454 hp and 650 Nm. At 2,480 kg, however, it needed 14.3 seconds to finish, which left it 2.5 seconds behind the Morgan.
Ultimately, the Grenadier proves the B58 still has room to grow. Still, the
Liam Campbell
Industry Intelligence & News Editor at Auto News Magazine. Tracking prototype spy shots, Nürburgring development mules, automaker corporate moves, and breaking global automotive scoops.
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