Morgan Motor Company has launched a new “gloves off” variant of
the Aero 8; the race-inspired Aero GT
– Just eight examples of the Aero GT will be produced, marking the end
of Aero 8 production at Morgan’s Pickersleigh Road factory
– Each Aero GT exhibits an unconventionally aggressive appearance
thanks to all new hand-worked body panels, these include wing top
louvres and an aerodynamic enhancing rear diffuser – all of which
have been tested extensively to reduce drag and significantly increase
downforce
– Each of the eight vehicles have already been allocated through
Morgan’s established Dealership network
– The Aero GT was launched at the Geneva Motor Show on 6th March
2018
– All bespoke Aero GT vehicles will be built by the Morgan Special Projects division and individually tailored to reflect the customer’s personal specification
– The Aero GT features the Morgan N62 V8 engine. As with the Plus 8 50th
Anniversary model that was also revealed at Geneva, this will be the
final Morgan model to feature this naturally aspirated V8 engine
– All eight examples will be built with a manual transmission
– The Morgan Aero 8 was first introduced in 2000
– The Aero GT is priced from £120,000 + local market taxes
“One of our greatest strengths as a brand is our ability to be responsive and
create a hand-built car which is truly bespoke to each customer. The Aero 8
has been a stalwart of Morgan production for almost 20 years, it offers an
exceptional driving experience and unrivalled looks, further enhanced in
Aero GT guise.
“Every Morgan is built to an exacting specification and is bespoke to each
customer; their personality is displayed in every detail. Owners invest a great
deal of emotion in choosing and tailoring their own perfect specification, this
investment is rewarded at the first drive of their unique and exhilarating
vehicle. The Aero GT is the ultimate ensemble of this formula.”
– Steve Morris, Managing Director
The Morgan Motor Company has today revealed its most extreme roadgoing
model to date, the Aero GT. The family owned, British manufacturer
officially unveiled the car at the 88th International Geneva Motor Show.
The longest established independent automotive manufacturer, Morgan
Motor Company will produce just eight of the special Aero GT variants. All
vehicles will be individually built to the exacting specification of each
customer. The Aero GT represents the end of Aero 8 production,
guaranteeing that every Aero 8 owner will be the custodian of a very
significant piece of Morgan history.
All 8 examples have been allocated through the Morgan Global Retailor
network, and will be built with a manual transmission. Powered by the same
367bhp BMW N62 V8 engine used in the Aero 8, the Aero GT will travel from 0-
62mph in 4.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 170mph. Each Aero GT will
benefit from Morgan’s latest adjustable suspension.
The Aero GT will be built by the Morgan Special Projects department, which
has an established history of producing models with even greater levels of
exclusivity along with one off, individually commissioned vehicles. Morgan’s
approach will see each Aero GT built as an individual special edition, rather
than eight identical examples.
From placing their order, each customer will have the opportunity to receive
an individual design consultancy from Jon Wells, Morgan’s Head of Design.
Following this stage, the car will then enter production, remaining in build for
between 8-10 weeks. As with any Morgan, each customer will have the
opportunity to follow the build of their vehicle closely and witness their car
come to life.
The dramatic evolution of the Aero GT is most striking in its restyled wing
impressions and louvres. Their addition is one that serves both functional and
aesthetic advantages, and were developed alongside the design of the
latest Aero 8 in 2015.
Development of the latest Aero 8 focused on redeveloping the aluminium
chassis to make it stiffer and introduce all-new front and rear suspension to
improve driving dynamics. The introduction of a newly developed soft-top
and the redesign of the rear of the car lead to further research by Morgan
Special Projects into the effects that body form features have on
aerodynamic performance.
Taking inspiration from the aggressive aerodynamic profiles seen on Morgan’s
striking 2009 GT3 race car, similar body form functions were explored during
the development of the Aero 8. However, these were not immediately put
into production but paved the way for future exploration of what a ‘gloves
off’ Aero 8 could look like.
For the final eight Aero 8 vehicles, Morgan’s design department applied
knowledge developed throughout the research process of the latest Aero 8
in order to introduce the aerodynamic enhancements as seen on the Aero
GT.
It was crucial that the new styling features did not seem purely functional,
and remained true to Morgan’s iconic design approach, striking a balance
of exhilarating performance along with head-turning aesthetics.
The striking body panels of the Aero GT have been sculpted in such a way to
ensure that tension and elegance is expressed in each line. All surfacing of
the new panels was proven digitally via Computation Fluid Dynamics
simulation prior to full scale validation. Each panel is created using the
technologically advanced Superforming process synonymous with modern
Morgans, before being hand finished and transformed into Aero GT panels.
Acting in conjunction with the front canard details, the wing top louvre vents
are proven to reduce low pressure on the sides of the Aero body, making a
notable difference in frontal downforce. At the rear, the dramatic diffuser
reduces air pressure from beneath the vehicle, increasing rear downforce.
This feature has the added benefit of reducing the visual weight of the rearend.
All Aero GT’s have the option of a carbon fibre hard-top. Taking inspiration
from 1960s race cars, the hard-top on the Aero GT benefits from the addition
of a rearward facing roof vent that reflects the rear graphic of the tail-light,
whilst improving the drag coefficient of the vehicle.
Finite enamelled ‘GT’ badges signify the model variant. Each is individually
hand made by a British Jeweller.
The interior is hand-finished with a series of painted stitching and pinstripe
accents, and an extended choice of wood options.
“The Aero GT, unlike its predecessors adopts an unconventionally aggressive
aesthetic. However, a purist approach to achieving a design in which ‘form
follows function’ has been rigidly adhered to. This is most apparent in the new
additions to the body work.
The additional wing top louvres, side impressions and dramatic rear diffuser
have all been tested extensively to ensure they work together to reduce drag
and increase road holding capability. The merits of these additions were first
unearthed during the early development phases of the 2015 Aero 8 whilst we
were exploring the requirements of a more aerodynamically efficient Aero.
This was a key requirement of the initial Aero 8 brief.
Each new panel has been sculpted by hand, by Morgan master craftsmen.
The beauty of working so closely with talented sheet metal workers and
coachbuilders is that designers are relatively unrestrained in their ability to
challenge the forms and their functions. Unlike many, we can make special
limited-edition vehicles that really exercise the imagination of the designer
and the ability of the craftsman.
The Aero range has always offered Morgan the platform to explore the
boundaries of mechanical and styling design and I am delighted the family
has allowed one of our wildest ideas to become a reality.”
– Jon Wells, Head of Design
Technical Specification
Engine BMW 4799CC V8
Gearbox BMW Man 6spd
Max Power 270kw (367/bhp)
Max Torque 490Nm (370 lb/ft)
Performance 0 – 62 4.5 seconds
Top Speed 170mph (273kph)
Power to weight 315 bhp / tonne
Urban mpg 16 mpg (18.2l /100km)
Extra urban 32 mpg (8.7l /100km)
Combined 23 mpg (12.11 /100km)
Co2 282 g/km
Length 4147mm
Width 1751mm
Height 1248mm
Dry weight 1,180kg
Homologation EU
Fuel tank size 55 litres
Chassis Aluminium bonded / rivetted
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