Morgan is phasing out the Aero 8. But before it
does, the British manufacturer will built eight final examples of the ultimate
version to date.
The Aero 8 was first introduced back in 2001,
emerging as the first completely new Morgan design since the 1960s. It ended
production in 2010, only to be revived again in 2015. The new Aero GT, revealed
here for the first time, is looking to give the nameplate a spark and usher it
into the history books for good.
The send-off Aero GT is based on an aluminum
architecture – in stark contrast to Morgan’s traditional wood frames – overlaid
with hand-beaten metal aluminum body panels. For the GT, the bodywork has been
modified for increased downforce, with additions including louvered front fenders
and a rear diffusor – all derived from the GT3 racing version that Morgan
debuted in 2009.
Power comes courtesy of BMW’s N62 V8, rated at the
same 367 horsepower as the Aero 8’s, sending the GT to 100 km/h in 4.5
seconds before topping out at 274 km/h. Along with the Plus 8 50th
Anniversary edition, the Aero GT
will be the last Morgan to use the naturally aspirated engine.
All eight examples to be built were already sold
before Morgan revealed the Aero GT to the public, priced from £ 120,000 (US$ 166k at current exchange rates) before taxes. Each will be individually
designed in consultation with Morgan’s chief designer Jon Wells, and built by
the Special Projects division over the course of 8-10 weeks.
