 Morgan
has secured European Whole Vehicle Type approval for the Aero8 –
making Morgan the first independent specialist manufacturer in the UK to
secure full approval for its complete range.
To achieve the high standards required, the Aero8 was subjected to 47
rigorous individual tests covering key areas including active and
passive safety features, environmental issues, and driveability. Testing
was conducted by the Vehicle Certification Agency, the independent
organisation that advises UK and EU governments on approvals.
Commenting, Charles Morgan, Managing Director, said: "This
approval is extremely important for both Morgan Motor Company and its
customers, who can now legally register new Aero8s anywhere in the EU.
To be the first to achieve full approval is a real credit to the hard
work and dedication of our development and manufacturing teams, and I
would also like to extend our thanks to the VCA, which was very helpful
during the approval process."
The first completely new Morgan car for 60 years, the revolutionary
Aero8 features an advanced bonded aluminium chassis and a
specially-developed BMW V8 engine. Top speed is in excess of 160 mph,
and 0-62 mph is achieved in under five seconds.
Over 600 orders from all over Europe have been now been placed for
the new Morgan.
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Best known as a Lotus dealer, Williams Automobiles in Bristol are now
expanding with cars from Noble and Morgan available too. Laurence Vaughn was lucky
enough to check out a prototype Aero 8 at their recent open day:
The
first thing you notice about the Aero 8 - aside from it's imposing styling - is
the noise coming from the exhausts. This is an exhaust note tuned in the best
TVR fashion and its even better when behind the car. It may be powered by a BMW
V8, but no BMW has ever sounded like this.
Sat in the hot seat, you can't help but notice the length of the bonnet.
Compared to today's cars where you can't even see the bonnet due to their
cab-forward design, its quite a departure for those not familiar with the Morgan
design. Saying that, its still hard to place the corners of the car at parking
speeds, but then this isn't a car designed to do three point turns.
The car I drove was a pre-production version so exceptions must be made.
Despite that fact, it's a car that has been around Europe in the course of
testing and publicity and has stood up to the miles well. Setting off was a bit
challenging as I got used to the somewhat binary clutch - it seemed to be on or
off with little give in between. Hopefully this is one of those pre-production
attributes. Once engaged though the oodles of torque waft you away down the road
with ease.
The power steering makes the Aero 8 an easy car to drive around town (apart
from the clutch!). The brakes were adequate rather than inspiring but having
said that I didn't really get a chance to warm them up properly.
The ride is very compliant given the rubber bands that are being pressed into
service as tyres. No scuttle shake or rattles were detected, a good sign that
the aluminium chassis is all that its cracked up to be. It's no Noble or Esprit,
more akin to a Griffith or Chimera, fast and competent but requiring more time
to learn the limits.
In a straight line the performance is plain exhilarating, particularly roof
off. With good old cubic inches providing the power rather than any fancy turbos,
the torque is thumped out instantly. With peak torque of 322lb ft arriving at just 3700rpm you're hurtling towards the horizon very quickly. Unusually for a sportscar of
this type, the Morgan comes with six gears, making the occasional motorway
cruise all the more bearable. With the torque arriving so low, you can also
afford to accelerate out of trouble without dropping a cog first. Roof off is of
course mandatory in a car like this unless the heavens have opened, but don't
expect bouffant hair to stay intact Z3 style. Even with the side windows up
buffeting in the cabin at motorway speeds means every day is a bad-hair day
unless you put the roof up - but what's the point of that!?
Inside
the cabin is trimmed in Connolly leather offset against a machine turned dash
and a visible ash hardwood frame tying it all together nicely. BMW appears to
have also donated the switchgear which although functional, the black rocker
switches look out of place on the dash - this is one item that is not carried
over onto the production cars thankfully. Air conditioning should be seen as a
necessity rather than a luxury as the cabin is continuously heated by the engine
- pleasant in the cooler months but could easily become unbearable in summer.
All the windows on the car are glass (including the rear) and they all feature
'invisible' heating elements to promote rapid demisting and defrosting. The
miles this car has travelled have not left any telling indications of wear and
tear, so all bodes well for the lucky customers who take delivery.
This car was at the Motor Show and, as mentioned already, has some features
that haven't made it to production. Production cars will feature : revised hood sealing around the side windows, changed wiper
configuration, side repeaters just behind front wheel, changed rear window seal,
firmer seat cushions, revised dials with blue back-lighting, revised switches on
the dashboard, dashboard radiused along lower edge with smarter under-dash
panels, a dippable rear view mirror, heater changed with vents, a radio slot,
a rubber finisher along the top of the windscreen and a spear to be added to the
front of the bonnet strip.
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As a tribute to Morgan, the identity of this car is not in doubt -
members of the public immediately recognized it as a Morgan and being a
rag-top entered into conversation with me - something I've never
experienced before except from obvious petrolheads. This car was built for
cruising, but has the poke to match the looks. There's little doubt that
this car takes Morgan into the future, blending the style and charm of
their existing cars with current leading-edge technology and a new bold
and purposeful look. People will still buy the current cars, but more
people will buy the Aero 8, and they will love every minute of it - you
lucky people! |
