CarBrandLogos archive · Morgan · 2000

MorganMorgan Aero 8

Morgan's first new platform in decades, wearing a BMW V8 and cross-eyed headlamps.

Photo: Semnoz · CC BY-SA 3.0

The story

A defining chapter in Morgan history.

Explore the ideas, engineering and context that shaped the Morgan Aero 8, then continue into its specifications and place in the marque's lineage.

Origins

For most of the twentieth century Morgan built one chassis. The Aero 8, launched in 2000, was the first genuinely new platform in the company's modern history: a bonded and riveted aluminium structure with independent suspension at both ends, no sliding pillars and no live axle, and a BMW V8 up front.

Morgan Aero 8 GT3 Nr31 Oschersleben2008 · DoomWarrior · CC BY-SA 3.0

Design and engineering

It came out of racing. Chris Lawrence, who had won his class at Le Mans in a Plus 4 in 1962, returned to develop the chassis alongside Charles Morgan, and Aero 8s raced at Le Mans in the early 2000s. The road car was quick, several hundred kilos lighter than its German rivals, and rode far better than any previous Morgan.

Morgan Aero Max · Ed Callow · CC BY 2.0

In production

The styling was the problem. Early cars used Volkswagen New Beetle headlamps mounted with a pronounced inward cast, and the cross-eyed look was widely disliked; Morgan straightened them out on later series. The platform proved far more valuable than the body it first wore, going on to underpin the AeroMax, the Aero Supersports, the second Plus 8 and eventually the CX-Generation cars that succeeded them all.

Morgan Aero 8 · SG2012 · CC BY 2.0

At a glance

The facts that define it.

Produced

2000–2018

Engine

4.4&nbsp

Designer

Aero 8: Chris Lawrence

Body

2-door coupé

Technical specification

The Morgan Aero 8, in detail.

Production: 2000–2018
Class: Sports car (S)
Body style: 2-door coupé ; 2-door convertible ; 2-door targa top ; 2-door speedster (automobile); speedster
Layout: Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Engine: 4.4 L BMW BMW M62; M62TUB44 V8 engine; V8 ; 4.4 L BMW BMW N62; N62B44 V8 ; 4.6 L BMW BMW M62; M62TUB46 V8 ; 4.8 L BMW BMW N62; N62B48 V8
Transmission: 6 speed manual/automatic
Designer: Aero 8: Chris Lawrence, Charles Morgan and Norman Kent; AeroMax, Aero Supersports and Aero Coupe: Matthew Humphries
Assembly: United Kingdom: Malvern Link, England
Manufacturer: Morgan Motor Company