| Manufacturer | Morgan Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Production | 2001-2010 |
| Class | front-engined Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door convertible |
| Engine | originally a 4.4 L, now a 4.8 L BMW N62 V8 |
| 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).
Notable owners have included Richard Hammond of BBC's Top Gear.[1]
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 alloy chassis and frame as opposed to traditional Morgan vehicles ("trads") that have an aluminium skinned wooden body tub on a steel chassis.[2]
The engine first powering the Aero 8 was a 4400 cc V8 built by BMW mated to a 6-Speed Getrag transmission. In 2008, the Aero 8 will have the 4.8 BMW engine with an optional 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[3] which originally was justified by the manufacturers as conferring aerodynamic benefits.[4] 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.[5]
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The Morgan Aeromax is the coupe variation of the Aero 8. Production, which was undertaken in 2008 and 2009, was limited to 100 cars,[6] each costing £110,000. Customers have included Richard Hammond, Rowan Atkinson and Paul O'Grady.
The Morgan Aero SuperSports is a targa-roofed version of the AeroMax, sharing its bonded aluminium chassis and lower bodywork with the coupe.[7]
Engine: BMW N62 V8
Version IV
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 and the 2004 12 Hours of Sebring finishing 20th outright and 10th in the GT class.