2012 Morgan Plus 8

[joncon]

drove the protoype today, staight after the three wheeler.
i want this car !
you feel like your driving a traditional morgan, looking down that vented bonnet, but the power, the noise ..its fabulous.
10/10

Edited by joncon on Sunday 4th December 18:34

[Boshly]

My write up from over at TalkMorgan having driven the car last week, my feelings haven't changed and I'm still looking forward to seeing the comparison tests involving this car.

It will be interesting to see what other people think:

"Spent a great time (as usual) at the factory today.

Amongst all the plethora of 3W's being prepared for despatch to their lucky owners I had a good look at the plus 8 mule/test car.

Now those of you that know Morgan well will also realise that whilst they plan and try to abide by structured programmes of introducing new vehicles to the Market, they do occasionally acquiesce to prolonged and intense nagging to test a car by "good customers" and thus I was allowed to nick the keys to the car and head up the road (partner in crime in tow).

This followed an earlier conversation where we were discussing with Charles Morgan how the car would drive. "Like an Aero?" was our answer. Apparently not!

So, what's the verdict?

Well, I can honestly say, that this unfinished test vehicle was the best Morgan I have ever driven and I have driven (and been passengered) in quite a few!

Where can I start? Exhaust note was fantastic, growly and loud and popping and banging on the overrun. Didn't have the WW2 sound of the side exits that I love so much, but the best rear exit I have heard. The engine, albeit with less than 1000 miles showing, was tight, but still responsive and quick, bloody quick, quicker I think than anything I have ever driven maybe slightly slower than my old Westfield MegaBird up to 80 but that's it (I have driven/owned a 911 Turbo S). Just under 400 bhp in just under a ton (??) would back this up!

However, the piece de la resistance (best French accents please) was the sublime handling. The steering was superb, light enough but so feelsome, I could feel every ripple and there was no vagueness whatsoever. The shorter wheelbase meant the car was quicker to respond than my Aero SS and S2 before it. The smaller size meant that all round vision was superb and you had no doubt where the extremities were, or what they were doing. Brakes were powerful and progressive, and ride was good; not too stiff but definitely not soft. On handling and performance I guess this car is the closest thing to a quick Caterham? I'm guessing on this one. Would also love to compare it to something like the Atom (never driven one) as I'm guessing it would give t a run for it's money.

Lastly, what was just as (pleasantly) surprising was that the fit and finish, and the solid feel of the car was again better than any Morgan I've been in. And this in a test car!

Not so good bits? I felt the wheel was a bit too close to me, though I forgot to check if the seat was back as far as it would go. The clutch pedal had a particularly high biting point and the floor mounted hinge meant I had to lift my foot off the floor to press. The space inside was narrower than I'm used to (not quite the lithe tester am I ) but the cut down door with comfortable arm rest was ideal. The engine could have revved a bit easier but as described earlier the engine was pretty new and I know through experience that these engines take mileage beautifully loosening up all the way.

I haven't really commented on the aesthetics as firstly it's a test vehicle and not finished to anything like the anticipated standard, secondly I don't like those graphite wheels with a black body and lastly it's so subjective that when the 'proper' demonstratorcarss emerge we can all decide individually

So, the crunch question, is it worth £80k? Well it's a hell of a lot closer to being worth every penny than it was before I drove it

I really look forward to reading the comparison tests on this car as I do think it will make waves!

Lastly, whilst as I said there are no demonstrator cars, I'm sure any serious potential purchaser and customer who wishes to wave their chequebook seriously, may be able to get a 'forward' test before the official launch next year. I do know that many orders have already been taken, including one by email whilst chatting to one of the MMC Directors A collective well done to all involved."

Edited by Boshly on Sunday 4th December 21:46

[vpr]

My only criticism is that I wish they would get the rear wheel sitting in the middle of the arch.

Always been an issue with trads which I set right on my last.

[Boshly]

Never noticed till you just pointed it out. I'll always see it now, thanks

[mph]

Boshly said:

The shorter wheelbase meant the car was quicker to respond than my Aero SS and S2 before it. The smaller size meant that all round vision was superb and you had no doubt where the extremities were, or what they were doing.

How much smaller is it than an Aero 8 ?

I had assumed they would use the Aero chassis in it's existing form and simply re-body it.

[Boshly]

mph said:

Boshly said:

The shorter wheelbase meant the car was quicker to respond than my Aero SS and S2 before it. The smaller size meant that all round vision was superb and you had no doubt where the extremities were, or what they were doing.

How much smaller is it than an Aero 8 ?

I had assumed they would use the Aero chassis in it's existing form and simply re-body it.

Someone else picked me up on it and to be honest I'm not sure if I've got that right. It's got less overhang, as can be seen by the pics, compared here to an aero 8




And it's lighter, maybe those two things combined made me feel it was shorter in the chassis? I'll check and come back on that one as I'm curious now.

[mph]

My thinking was that it would be very costly and time consuming to start modifying the chassis for such a small production run.

It does look shorter though.

Now looking at them both together I think the design of the Aero rear end accenuates it's length.

[AeroMan]

Boshly said:

Someone else picked me up on it and to be honest I'm not sure if I've got that right. It's got less overhang, as can be seen by the pics, compared here to an aero 8

And it's lighter, maybe those two things combined made me feel it was shorter in the chassis? I'll check and come back on that one as I'm curious now.

It's got the Aero Series I chassis and as such the wheelbase is the same as the other Aero's. However, the actual aluminium chassis was shorter than subsequent Aero's as the support for the boot was fashioned out of wood in the normal Morgan style.

On the new Plus 8 it obviously doesn't need this wooden structure and this results in both a shorter and a lighter car. I do have some photos somewhere, but not unfortunately on this computer.

[Boshly]

AeroMan said:

Boshly said:

Someone else picked me up on it and to be honest I'm not sure if I've got that right. It's got less overhang, as can be seen by the pics, compared here to an aero 8

And it's lighter, maybe those two things combined made me feel it was shorter in the chassis? I'll check and come back on that one as I'm curious now.

It's got the Aero Series I chassis and as such the wheelbase is the same as the other Aero's. However, the actual aluminium chassis was shorter than subsequent Aero's as the support for the boot was fashioned out of wood in the normal Morgan style.

On the new Plus 8 it obviously doesn't need this wooden structure and this results in both a shorter and a lighter car. I do have some photos somewhere, but not unfortunately on this computer.

Ah cheers B, of course. I was told all of that but the old grey matter didnt retain it!!!

[TOV!E]

plushuit said:

Good analogy. Reflects the consensus.

Rubbish

[ukshooter]

I drove the white LHD +8 last week and enjoyed the experience. Clever storage for the sidescreens but not enough for me as a daily driver. Great fun as a second car though.

[mph]

ukshooter said:

I drove the white LHD +8 last week and enjoyed the experience. Clever storage for the sidescreens but not enough for me as a daily driver. Great fun as a second car though.

I was wondering how practical it would be compared to the Aero cars. Is there much storage behind the seats ?

[DJRC]

There is almost sod all.

A rack and luggage will be sold as options.

Looked at the car on the stand yesterday and I was told that this *was* the production model. Sold as you see. I thought it was still under development!

[Boshly]

mph said:

I was wondering how practical it would be compared to the Aero cars. Is there much storage behind the seats ?

The series 4 Aero and Supersport have no storage behind the seats, unlike the older models. This was due to the relocation of the fuel tank to behind the driver from the boot floor. The boot space however is significantly larger as a consequence.

Unfortunately there is no boot on the Plus 8.

DJRC said:

There is almost sod all.

A rack and luggage will be sold as options.

Looked at the car on the stand yesterday and I was told that this *was* the production model. Sold as you see. I thought it was still under development!

Not sure what further development you were expecting? The car on the stand was beautifully finished. It's a tried and trusted drivetrain married to a known (albeit a bit wider) body. Customer cars are on the way out I believe.

[DJRC]

Was disappointed with the interior to be honest

Liked the extra space compared to the Aero though.

[Boshly]

DJRC said:

Was disappointed with the interior to be honest

Liked the extra space compared to the Aero though.

Oh? Genuinely surprised, I felt it was great, nicely done. It is only dash and seats, but I guess if you didn't like the dash..... or the seats

And how strange that I, knowing the Aero and its derivatives well, didn't even think or feel that it was more spacious than an Aero?

In fact I don't think it is, is it? The only difference I can imagine is that the cut away doors allowing your right arm (or left in LHD car) to rest naturally on it gives the feeling of more space. It's an identical chassis with a slightly smaller (re over hang) body.

[mph]

I sat in one at the works, it didn't feel any bigger than an Aero inside. In fact I thought my ex Aero S3 felt more spacious.

I forgot to look behind the seats which is why I asked about luggage space.

If there isn't any storage behind the seats I think I'll continue my search for another Aero 8.

[DJRC]

Boshly said:

DJRC said:

Was disappointed with the interior to be honest

Liked the extra space compared to the Aero though.

Oh? Genuinely surprised, I felt it was great, nicely done. It is only dash and seats, but I guess if you didn't like the dash..... or the seats

And how strange that I, knowing the Aero and its derivatives well, didn't even think or feel that it was more spacious than an Aero?

In fact I don't think it is, is it? The only difference I can imagine is that the cut away doors allowing your right arm (or left in LHD car) to rest naturally on it gives the feeling of more space. It's an identical chassis with a slightly smaller (re over hang) body.

I was told it was a few inches wider by the Morgan chappy, 6 I think it was. It certainly felt wider compared to being in the coupe and Supersports.

And no, I didnt like the dash. The interiors of the Aeros have slowly got better to me, with the supersports and coupe looking fantastic.

[Boshly]

DJRC said:

I was told it was a few inches wider by the Morgan chappy, 6 I think it was. It certainly felt wider compared to being in the coupe and Supersports.

And no, I didnt like the dash. The interiors of the Aeros have slowly got better to me, with the supersports and coupe looking fantastic.

Interesting? Re wider. It's the same chassis so track is the same, wonder where the body is wider? Narrower running panels I guess?

As for the interior, my SuperSports is virtually identical to my Aero S4 interior except my SS has the quilted leather (and of course the targa panels as opposed to the soft top) which in turn was virtually identical to my previous series 2 Aero except that the dials were white not black and instead of tweeters I had a tyre pressure gauge and a clock.

Still, different to the plus 8 though, and it's always going to be a matter of taste. I quite liked the body coloured section running through, especially with a vibrant colour, butI guess it could get too much after a while.

[ukshooter]

There is a good storage unit that locks in the plus 8 behind the seats it is about 4 inches in width and runs the full length behind both seats and is probably 4-6 inches deep so great for odds and ends and securing items when away from car. However, the clever side screen storage which is a an angled compartment behind the seats that follows the angle of the rear looks a little too shallow so I think that when sidescreens are stored, they may cover the storage box so will have to be removed to access it. But, it could just be that the sidescreens were not seated properly when I saw them in the storage.