Morgan shows unique Aeromax
V8-powered ash-framed car is a one-off
Morgan's new Aeromax is a unique car -- there will only be one of them. Commissioned by Prince Eric I. Sturdza, president of Banque Baring Brothers Suisse, it is based on the requirement for a comfortable, long distance touring coupé. Drawings by Matthew Humphries were discussed with the customer to define the total concept. Gullwing boot openings, a hardwood and traditional pleated leather interior, and a large flat load area behind the seats were particular requirements.
Matthew Humphries created a quarter scale clay model at the University of Coventry Automotive Design School. The model was required to harmonise with the Morgan Aero Eight chassis and incorporated the exterior elements of the car that were not to be specially tooled. The model was digitised and a file created on CATIA software to define the surface shape and boundaries of the metal and glass panels. Using data from the computer file simple jigs were constructed to build the ash skeleton, alloy sheet metal panels and toughened glass panels.
Brightwork features such as the door handles and the door mirrors were created by hand to unique sculptural designs. The split rear window allows easy access from either side to the custom built luggage commissioned from Schedoni of Italy. A substantial chassis beam protects heavy items from moving forwards into the cockpit.
The aluminium chassis has safety features that meet legislated approvals in Europe and the USA, while electronic airbag systems protect the occupants. Sensors are built into each wheel bearing to relay tyre contact information to the engine ECU and the ABS electronic brake control units. The car has reassuring driver features such as air conditioning, tyre pressure and tyre temperature monitoring and cruise control. Even with these features, Morgan claimed the chassis is the lightest V8 production platform in the world.
Charles Morgan said, "The Morgan Aeromax demonstrates the wealth of talent in our small yet dedicated motor works. It took just four months from a sketch to being able to test drive a real finished car. The car is a showcase of the coachbuilding and technical skills of the whole team."
The ash frame is laminated for extra strength. This gives the potential for energy absorption in the cockpit and also ensures durability and safety. It is incidentally beautiful and each of the three backbones of the skeleton of the frame has nine laminates of wood visible from the inside of the car. The wood above the dashboard and doors is carved to display age and grain.
The light alloy bodywork has been hand formed from high quality alloy sheet. Each coachline is finely defined in metal. The car is powered by the latest version of BMW's N62 V8 which, with its combination of performance economy and modest emissions, perfectly compliments the design of the car.
The exhaust exits through the car wings and adds character to the V8 tone. The low unladen weight makes the Morgan Aeromax Coupe one of the fastest accelerating sports cars in Europe.
Technical specifications
Engine
- 32 valve 4.3-litre V8
- Power: 333bhp at 6,100 rpm
- Torque: 331lb-ft at 3600 rpm
- Four variable timing, chain driven camshafts
- Transmission
- 6 speed ZF manual gearbox
- Hydraulic limited slip differential
- DTCDrag Torque Control (deceleration anti lock)
Brakes
- Electronic ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution)
- Front: 6 pot AP Racing callipers 348mm vented discs
- Rear: Twin pot AP Racing callipers 332mm vented discs
- Separate rear handbrake calliper
Wheels
- 20-inch 3 piece split rim with BF Goodrich 245/30/20 tyres
Performance
- 0 – 62mph 4.5 seconds
- Maximum speed – over 160 mph
I think it's great that there are still people who want something different and have the money to realize their wishes.
Looks very classic, somehow a mixture between a Bugatti and a Bentley (I think a Mulliner Park Ward coupe?).
Oh, and those headlights: I got used to them and I think they make the car special. In real they look better (less worse?) than on pictures.
For a trans continental blast I can't think of anyother new car that would have such a sense of occasion.
On the headlight front, I spoke with one of the major Morgan dealer/restorers, they had a fix for the cross eyed look soon after they got their first car....they couldn't go ahead with it as it would have upset the factory...a new look is definitely on it's way.
Aero8 said:
The headlights are from the Beetle, only
True on the regular Aero8, but not on this coach-worked one. They are Mini ones in this. Look at the small "bulges" ontop of the front wings, slightly larger than the beelte units.
I think it looks a bit odd, but then the Aero8 took ages to grow on me, I think a genuinly hardtopped version (not the "bodged on" (no disrespect to people at morgan) GTN) would work well, but it'd need to be more conservativly styled than this to sell in the USA.
Aero8 said:Regardless of one's own opinion, to this day I have never understood WHY Morgan selected a headlamp unit that gave such an odd appearance.
The headlights are from the Beetle, only handed. Hence the cross eyed look.
Most people are agreed it's odd, many think it's ugly and owners have learnt to live with it, so why not just select one that sat straight on the front wing?http://chicagoautoshow.com/neatstuff/photogalleries/concept/classic/13.asp
It is also necessary to bear in mind that the customer will have had a lot of input into the styling of a coachbuilt car. There aren't many companies left who will build a bespoke car, Ferrari and Aston do spring to mind.
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