For more information on the Aero 8 or to arrange a test drive call us on +44 (0)1732 882017
The all new Morgan Aero 8 is the world’s first all aluminium
coach-built car.
An open two seater with breathtaking performance, the Aero 8
holds true to the Morgan tradition of ‘no compromise’
coachbuilt construction yet brings the world’s oldest family
owned car manufacturer to the very leading edge of automotive
design and construction technology.
The Aero 8’s lightweight aluminium chassis, based
on the works team GT2 racecar, is now fully developed into a strong,
lightweight chassis that gives excellent torsional rigidity and
exceptional handling characteristics. Retaining elements of Morgan’s
traditional styling, the Aero B’s high-grade aluminium body
has been freshly sculpted with bold and purposeful looks and highly
developed aerodynamics.
The development of the Aero 8 powerplant and drivetrain
has given rise to a partnership with one of the world’s premier
engine and vehicle manufacturers, BMW. Under the provocative curves
of the Aero 8 lies BMW’s latest 4.4-litre V8 engine mated to
a six-speed Getrag gearbox. Exhilarating performance is the result
of a torque to weight ratio that rivals any other production sportscar.
Extensive testing, using some of Europe’s most advanced vehicle
research and development facilities, has fine tuned the Aero 8’s
positive handling and smooth ride.
Working with suppliers from the world of Formula One
racing, Morgan has insisted on the use of high quality, lightweight
materials and components throughout the entire car. As a result,
the Aero 8 employs leading edge technology in many of its unique
features.
Above all, the Aero 8 is handmade to order, built
by the skilled craftsman at Morgan’s Malvern factory with the
same attention to each individual customer’s personal tastes
as ever. The Aero 8 is a two-seater sportscar combining innovation
and heritage. It is dynamic and spirited to drive...
...this is without a doubt the birth
of a thoroughbred.
Progressive chassis design...
The Aero 8 chassis uses the latest coated aluminium produced in
Germany by Alcan specifically for vehicle manufacture, and is
the first car to use this material in Europe. Sections of the
CAD-designed chassis are bonded together using a high performance
Gurrit Essex adhesive and rivetted with Bollhoff rivets for added
strength and durability. The result is a lightweight aluminium
chassis with exceptional torsional stiffness that has been tested
to meet the latest European crash test standards.
...with advanced drivetrain technology.
The Aero 8 is powered by BMW’s 32-valve, 4.4-litre V8 with
a bespoke engine management system. This advanced powerplant features
the VANOS variable inlet valve timing system, cruise control,
onboard diagnostics, an immobiliser and drive by wire technology.
The Aero 8’s emission levels are just 30% of the levels permitted
by the latest Euro 3 regulations.
Race-bred engineering...
The Aero 8 is an evolution of the Morgan factory’s 1996 and
1997 GT2 racecars and the design principles behind its chassis and
suspension have been both conceived and proven on the world’s
race circuits. The innovative packaging of the Aero 8’s independent
suspension system allows for long wishbones. These, plus an equal
weight distribution front to rear, low centre of gravity and low
unsprung weight combine to keep the maximum amount of tyre surface
area in contact with the road during cornering. Roll is minimal,
eliminating the need for anti-roll bars.
...delivers positive handling.
The Aero 8’s exceptional road holding allows the car to pull
1G lateral acceleration on standard road tyres. This was measured
during testing at BMW’s advanced test facility in the South
of France. The drag coefficient of the Aero 8 is 0.39, a 40% improvement
over the existing Morgan Plus Eight. The new smooth shape, developed
in MIRA’s full size wind tunnel, incorporates flush-fitting
headlights, a steeply raked windscreen and revised air ducting to
create aerodynamics that generate negative lift at both the front
and rear axles. A discreet Venturi tunnel at the rear completes
a clean, flat undertray that runs the complete length of the car.
The
Aero 8’s BMW manufactured V8 engine produces 286bhp and 430Nm
of torque at 3700rpm (3351b/ft of torque)
Interior refinements...
The Aero 8 features a removable, Mulberry leather case, large
enough to carry most models of portable computer, in place of
a conventional glovebox and has a generous luggage space behind
the seats. The lockable luggage compartment, with remote release,
at the rear is large enough to accommodate a standard set of golf
clubs. Blaupunkt has helped install the latest in-car audio systems
including satellite navigation.
With practical versatility.
The Aero 8 is the first Morgan to offer air conditioning, cruise
control and electrically heated windows. Specially designed Connolly
leather trimmed anti-submarine seats with integral headrest give
excellent lateral support. A treble skinned hood, and cockpit
soundproofing mean that interior cabin noise is a very acceptable
80dB at 70mph. The aerodynamics of the car are virtually unchanged
whether the hood is raised or lowered, reducing wind buffeting
when traveling with the hood down.
Pioneering innovations...
The Aero 8’s windscreen, electrically operated side windows
and glass rear window are all heated using invisible heating elements,
a first for any production car, to give rapid all round demisting
and defrosting. The car’s 18” Dunlop all weather run-flat
tyres eliminate the requirement for a spare. A tyre pressure monitor
delivers an immediate visible and audible warning inside the cockpit
should any tyre fall below 20psi.
...and traditional craftsmanship.
The Aero 8 is built in the traditional coachbuilt fashion, with
its aluminium panels mounted on an ash hardwood frame. Built to
order, the Aero 8 is available in any of 30,000 body colours with
a choice of more than 40 colours of interior leather trim.
Testing and development
The four-year development programme to bring the Aero 8 into production
has been the largest project ever undertaken by the Morgan Motor
Company. A dedicated in-house team at Morgan’s Malvern factory
has brought together coachbuilt tradition with cutting edge technology,
intensive engineering development and exhaustive testing in the
evolution of a thoroughbred sportscar.
The development project began with the production of the works
GT2 racer, which competed in the 1997 FIA GT Championship. The
Aero 8’s chassis, suspension and braking systems have been
both conceived and proven on the world’s race circuits.
Prototypes have completed thousands of miles of rigorous
testing, both at BMW’s advanced test facility in the
South of France, and at other locations throughout Europe
where hot weather testing was conducted at temperatures
in excess of 40 degrees C.
The Aero 8’s dramatic looks have been designed in-house
at Morgan using CATIA CAD software. Extensive testing in
the full-size wind tunnel at MIRA has produced a smooth
shape and proactive aerodynamics that give exceptional ride
and handling characteristics.
During the testing programme, prototypes were run extensively
at maximum speed and tested to exacting standards in order
to fine tune the Aero 8’s positive handling, breathtaking
performance and stability through cornering.
With a kerb weight of around 1000kg the Aero 8 has perhaps
the best torque to weight ratio of any production car.
Morgan power rack with variable assistance Centre
point steering
Rake / Reach adjust (in)
2/2.5
Suspension:
Front:
Independent - unique long cantilever upper arm
with lower wishbone and inboard Eibach coil springs over Koni
shock absorbers
Rear:
Rear independent long transverse wishbones with
cantoilever mounted, fully floating, inboard Eibach coil springs
over Koni shock absorbers
Linkages
Rose jointed suspension
Lubrication
7 lubrication points
Anti Roll BArs
None
Brakes:
Type
AP Racing to Morgan specifications
Disc diameter front
330mm cast iron ventilated
Disc diameter rear
306mm cast iron ventilated
Calipers
Front - 4 pot alloy; Rear - 2 pot alloy
Fuel
tank volume imp.
Gallons / litres
15.4 / 70
Weights:
Kerb weight, kg (actual dependent
on specification
1000
Ground clearance inches / mm
6 / 150
Weight distribution
50/50 with one occupent
Length inches / mm
161 / 4090
Width inches / mm
69 / 1750
Height inches / mm
43 / 1090
Wheels
and Tyres:
5 spoke 18" OZ
magnesium alloy wheels
9" rim size
Peg drive centre lock
hubs
Dunlop SP Sport 9000
225/40 ZR 18
Foam fill run flat system
Weight of wheel &
tyre 18Kg
Pressure sensor s with
internal visual/audible low pressure warning
Chassis:
Stiff CAD designed aluminium
alloy chassis specially treated and bonded with Gurrit Essex adhesive
and rivetted with Ballhoff rivits
Notes:
All weights and dimensions are average figures for standard
vehicles. All specifications and availability are subject to change
without warning but are correct at the time of going to press.
The
Aero 8’s BMW manufactured V8 engine produces 286bhp and 430Nm
of torque at 3700rpm (3351b/ft of torque)
