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2005 Morgan Aero 8 Preview

Many Improvements Make North American-Bound Aero 8 Best Morgan Ever

Morgan, one of Britains oldest independent sports car makers and one of just a few left, has announced that it will heavily revise its Aero 8 grand touring roadster in preparation for selling it in the American market.

The Aero 8 is Morgans most advanced sports car, and was the companys first all-new vehicle since the introduction of the wooden-framed Plus 4 and Plus 8 models which date back to the 1930s.

The

Morgan, one of Britains oldest independent sports car makers, has announced it is bringing the Aero 8 to North America. (Photo: Morgan Motor Company)

Aero 8 is in a class of its own; it captures the essence and ambience of a classic wood-and-leather post-war roadster, blended with a cutting-edge aluminum-intensive chassis, trademarked cantilever-style suspension, and

The Aero 8 is Morgans first all-new vehicle since the introduction of the wooden-framed Plus 4 and Plus 8 models which date back to the 1930s. (Photo: Morgan Motor Company)

21st-century safety, performance and emissions standards.

Even though the Aero 8 is produced on a small-scale and built by hand on a made-to-order basis, the U.S. government would not bend on its requirement that all cars to be sold there must be federalized and safety tested. A total of 17 Aero 8s

The "cozy" hand-crafted cabin of the Aero 8 has been improved and enlarged. (Photo: Morgan Motor Company)

were destroyed in the mandated procedures, but the structurally rigid roadster passed with flying colors.

The new Aero 8 boasts an improved array of active and passive safety features, including side impact beams, load-limiting seat belts as well as driver and passenger airbags. The cross-eyed roadster also receives big brakes with six-piston AP calipers, controlled through a highly advanced Bosch braking system which features ABS and brake

The Aero 8s lavish standard specifications list has been added to for the new model year. (Photo: Morgan Motor Company)

force distribution.

Another important improvement that was made to the Aero 8 for 2005 was the size and roominess of its interior. Best described as cozy, the hand-crafted cabin of the two-seater was criticized for tight footwells and a narrow interior width due to the cockpits inwardly recessed position within the bodyshell.

Morgan has addressed these complaints by widening the interior at two critical points: the scuttle (windshield base) is now 4.0 inches larger which adds an additional 6.0 inches in shoulder width.

The updated Aero 8 will be powered by BMWs responsive 333-horsepower 4.4-liter naturally aspirated V8. (Photo: Morgan Motor Company)

The wider cabin is accompanied by a more commodious trunk and a redesigned instrument panel, which now incorporates a tire-pressure warning system.

The Aero 8s lavish standard specifications list has been added to for the new model year. These additions include one-touch power windows for driver and passenger, central locking, and an all-new ZF electro-hydraulic power steering system featuring variable ratio steering capable of delivering an abbreviated 2.0 turns lock-to-lock. Larger tires, measuring 225/40ZR18 up front and 245/40ZR18 in back, have also been fitted.

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