Morgan Aero 8

Morgan Aero 8

Morgan Aero 8 (Series 4 - 2007 Model)
Overview
Manufacturer Morgan Motor Company
Production 2001-2010 (2015-17)
Body and chassis
Class front-engined Sports car
Body style 2-door convertible
Powertrain
Engine originally a 4.4 L, now a 4.8 L BMW N62 V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase 100 inches (2530 mm)
Length 162 inches (4120 mm)
Width 69 inches (1770 mm)
Curb weight 1180 kg (2596 lb)

The Morgan Aero 8 is a sports car designed and built by Morgan Motor Company at its factory in Malvern Link, England (an area of Malvern in Worcestershire).

The Aero 8 is notable for several reasons, primarily because it is the first new Morgan design since 1948. It does not use anti-roll bars, an oddity in a modern sporting car. It is also the first Morgan vehicle with an aluminium chassis and frame as opposed to traditional Morgan vehicles ("trads") that have an aluminium skinned wooden body tub on a steel chassis.[1]

The engine first powering the Aero 8 was a 4400 cc V8 built by BMW mated to a 6-Speed Getrag transmission. In 2007, the Series 4 Aero 8 was released which had an upgraded 4799 cc V8 built by BMW with an optional ZF automatic transmission. All Aero 8s are assembled at Morgan's Malvern Link factory, where they are able to produce up to 14 cars a week (Aeros and trads).

It has been criticized for its "crosseyed" look[2] which originally was justified by the manufacturers as conferring aerodynamic benefits.[3] In response, Morgan changed the design for 2007 and later cars to a front end design based on the Morgan Aeromax, using Mini rather than VW New Beetle headlights.[4]

Morgan AeroMax

Morgan AeroMax, pictured in London, showing the distinctive 'boat tail' rear
Morgan Aero SuperSports

The Morgan Aeromax is the coupe variation of the Aero 8. Production, which was undertaken in 2008 and 2009, was limited to one hundred cars,[5] each costing £110,000. Owners have included Richard Hammond, Rowan Atkinson and Paul O'Grady.

Morgan Aero SuperSports

The Morgan Aero SuperSports is a targa-roofed version of the AeroMax, sharing its bonded aluminium chassis and lower bodywork with the coupe.[6]

New Morgan Aero 8

At the Geneva Motor Show in March 2015 Morgan announced that the Morgan Aero 8 would be revived with a new model.

Specifications

Engine

Engine: BMW N62 V8

Modern Morgan Aero 8 rear
Modern Morgan Aero 8 badge

Transmission

Suspension

Brakes

Wheels and tyres

Chassis/Body

Performance

Morgan Aero Supersports at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2010

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Motorsport

Morgan Aero 8 GT3 at Motopark Oschersleben

The Aero 8 has competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice, in 2002 and 2004. There have also been several entries in the FIA GT series from both works cars and privateers. It is also used in the British GT Series. It is currently racing in the FIA GT3 European championship and has proven competitive. The Aero 8 GT3 car is built by AUTO GT. The Aero 8 was also used in the 2003 Bathurst 24 Hour scoring a DNF with a rare BMW engine failure and the 2004 12 Hours of Sebring finishing 20th outright and 10th in the GT class.

References

Notes

  1. "Morgan Aero 8 - First Drive Review - Auto Reviews". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  2. "Morgan Revives 4-Seat Roadster, Improves Aero 8 | Morgan Auto Newss | Automobile.com". Car-reviews.automobile.com. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  3. "Aero flott: Mit dem neuen Morgan Aero 8 ist der britische Kleinhersteller in der Gegenwart gekommen. Der leichte Alu-Roadster mit dem 286-PS-V8 von BMW verbindet moderne Technik mit traditioneller Form und Machart". Auto, Motor und Sport. Heft 25 2000: Pages 52–54. 29 November 2000.
  4. "Morgan Aero 8 | New Reviews | Car Reviews". Auto Express. 2007-01-11. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  5. Morgan Products Retrieved on 20 November 2010
  6. Morgan Aero Supersports review Retrieved on 20 November 2010

Bibliography

  • Holmes, Mark (2007). Ultimate Convertibles: Roofless Beauty. London: Kandour. pp. 120–121. ISBN 978-1-905741-62-5. 

External links

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