It’s not like there’s a new Morgan model every four years as there is a new Honda Civic, so anytime even a smidgen of a difference pops up in a Morgan, it’s newsworthy. Thus, here we have the new Morgan Aero 8 Series III, a slightly different, handily improved version of the Morgan Aero 8 that debuted just four years ago.
First, there’s a restyled front end that doesn’t look cross-eyed anymore. In that front end sit new xenon headlamps, aimed forward this time. The air conditioning is better, there are better sealing materials throughout and a hardtop is available. Also, the window operation is smoother, the top stows three inches lower and under a new factory-made boot, there are door pockets, center console storage (called an “odd mints tray”) and even a better finish in the doorjamb so your left elbow doesn’t have to be bandaged as often.
The car you see here also got the new ostrich-embossed seats, but you can also get croc-embossed seats if you buy yours at the dealership we used, Morgan West in Santa Monica, California. And we had the Schedoni Italian luggage (the same stuff Ferraris have), straight from the Morgan factory, fitted in the trunk. The trunk itself is slightly larger this year to accommodate the Big Berthas we use for golf in this country.
Best of all, the curb weight is down 144 pounds to 2375 pounds, meaning the already tremendous power-to-weight ratio is now even more tremendous, at 7.3 pounds per hp, which is in supercar territory. With the super-smooth BMW 4.4-liter V8 still cranking out 325 hp (340 with the side pipes), the Aero 8 offers performance that rivals supercars.
Of course, it’s still somewhat claustrophobic to drive, and the steering wheel is still in your chest like a Cup car, but step on the gas pedal and, Aye Chi-freaking-huahua, you will want to move to Malvern Link and have Spam, bacon and beans for breakfast every morning for the rest of your life. Morgan lists 0 to 62 mph in fewer than 4.5 seconds, and after a couple of hours driving through the Malibu hills, we think that’s conservative.
Stopping is also world-class, at 117 feet from 62 mph. And it turns pretty nicely, too.
Pricing is still £62,500 to start ($115,900 at press time). Visit www.morganwest.net or www.morgan-motor.co.uk, or call (310) 998-3311, to find a dealer near you.
