One last hurrah: Morgan’s racing-inspired Aero GT

Morgan is ceasing production of the iconic Aero 8 sports car, with its design harking back to 2000 and an engine sourced from an old BMW 7-Series saloon, in 2018.

But before bowing out to a cheer from the retro-looking car’s many fans, the UK-based carmaker plans to release a hardcore final edition aimed at its most loyal customers. It’s called the Aero GT and is being dubbed “most extreme road-going model to date” by Morgan.

The Aero GT has been inspired by the company’s GT3 racing programme from the mid to late 2000s, including “aerodynamically honed” bodywork that aims to improve the car’s cornering grip.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Morgan has reshaped the curved front wheel arches, which now appear to house a row of small openings that could be used to improve aerodynamic grip. There’s also a large rear diffuser that helps keep the car stable at higher speeds.

Jon Wells, the company’s design chief, said: “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.”

He adds that Morgan is “able to make truly special limited edition vehicles that really exercise the imagination of the designer and the ability of the craftsman”.

The Aero GT sees the return of the 4.8-litre, naturally aspirated, BMW-sourced V8 engine from the Aero 8. The 367bhp motor is capable of launching the Aero GT from 0-62mph in 4.5sec, while its top speed is quoted at 170mph.

Unfortunately, like many of the final hardcore variants of any sports car, only eight examples of the Aero GT are due to enter production.

There’s no word on pricing, but Evo says all of them have “already been sold to existing Morgan customers”.