Raw, visceral, loud, and low, the Morgan Plus 8 GTR represents what the Morgan Motor Company can create when its design and engineering teams let their imaginations run wild. Limited to just nine examples, it marks the first in a line of Morgan special projects set to commence this year.
The Plus 8 GTR explores design themes such as the high shoulder line, not seen on a traditional Morgan body for decades. Its five-spoke centre-lock wheels are reminiscent of Morgan's 1990s Plus 8 race cars, framed perfectly by subtly re-sculpted wheel arches.
This project has only been possible because of the recent availability of a number of Plus 8 rolling chassis, which have been re-acquired from a third party following a discontinued project. These were all built by Morgan before 2018, and were never used for their intended purposes. All are to be recommissioned and will benefit from the upgrade of selected mechanical components.
As part of their transformation from rolling chassis to finished vehicle, each GTR will be handcrafted using Morgan's traditional coachbuilding techniques.
All 'Aero-chassis' Morgan Plus 8s were powered by a naturally aspirated BMW N62 4.8-litre engine, and the GTR will be no exception. In its original specification this unit produced 362bhp, however, the exact power output for the GTR is yet to be finalised. A choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox will be available, with fixed allocations for each transmission option.
Just nine Morgan Plus 8 GTRs will be built, with production beginning in summer 2021. The transformed special project will be available in certain worldwide markets, subject to local rules on the importation of European vehicles. As part of the special projects programme, customers will be invited to commission their bespoke Plus 8 GTR alongside Morgan's design team.
