Lift up either side of the new Morgan Plus Four’s engine decklid and no carburetors or velocity stacks materialize on the engine of this otherwise eminently classic-looking car. The latest generation of Plus Four returns to the American market this year for the first time since 2005. But to make it happen, Morgan spent five years homologating the little roadster with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, technically as a replica. That's why, underneath the left-hand hood, a hilarious list of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards exemptions lays out every way the Plus Four skips out on the usual fare, such as side impact protection, ejection mitigation, a hood latch system, and tire pressure monitoring. Apparently, that’s what it takes to produce a truly lightweight sports car in the modern era. More importantly, this latest generation of the Plus Four, which debuted in 2020 in other regions, stays shockingly light by now using a bonded aluminum chassis to help with handling and rigidity while harnessing the power output of a modern BMW drivetrain. But Morgan still builds the body on an ash wood frame, proving that the old ways that allowed a tiny British coachbuilder to remain on the market as a low-volume manufacturer at a reasonable price may never truly die. Michael Teo Van Runkle No manual for the US market seems like a mistake. No manual for the US market seems like a mistake. Michael Teo Van Runkle Michael Teo Van Runkle A modern powertrain is emissions-compliant. A modern powertrain is emissions-compliant. Michael Teo Van Runkle Michael Teo Van Runkle That's a long list of FMVSS exemptions. That's a long list of FMVSS exemptions. Michael Teo Van Runkle A modern powertrain is emissions-compliant. Michael Teo Van Runkle That's a long list of FMVSS exemptions. Michael Teo Van Runkle An auto? Really? The price of this tiny sports car can still creep up to six figures fairly easily, though. And sadly—almost unbelievably—Morgan opted against shipping a manual option to the US, which I only learned a couple of days before I received a test loaner equipped with the ZF eight-speed automatic that now serves as the only option. Whether that recipe proves ripe for success or destined for a faceplant, the Plus Four at least grew up a bit over the two decades since Morgan last sold it here, so I fit fairly well at 6-foot-1 (1.85 m) with long legs. Once I actually slipped inside, that is, since climbing in and out requires some fairly serious contortionism, especially with the roof up and door panels on. The aluminum chassis stretches the wheelbase by 3.2 inches (82 mm), and the two-seater cockpit offers slightly more space thanks to 1.5 inches (40 mm) of additional width and 1.2 inches (31 mm) of height gained. But surprisingly, the overall length actually shrinks by 7.1 inches (181 mm) due to to shorter overhangs ahead of and behind the tires.