MORGAN MOTOR COMPANY - The first Morgan Plus 8 GTR, the most powerful car in the company’s history, has completed build at the company’s factory in Malvern Link, Worcestershire.
Finished in striking Yas Marina Blue,
the first example is evocative of the original design sketches — which pay
homage to prominent nineties Plus 8 race car ‘Big Blue’ — that were released to
announce the model in February 2021. Limited to just nine examples, the Plus 8
GTR project has only been possible due to the recent availability of a number
of Plus 8 rolling chassis.
The remaining eight cars are all in
production, with several finishing build before the end of the year and the
remainder being completed in the first quarter of 2022. Each customer has
worked closely with Morgan’s design team to commission their own bespoke
example, further demonstrating the company’s personalisation capabilities. The
nine cars are built in varying configurations of transmission and drive side
according to customer requirements, with five of the eight vehicles being
exported globally.
Performance upgrades include a new
engine tune and cannon-style twin-exit sports exhausts. These enhancements
improve throttle response and increase the power output over the previous
production Plus 8.
Steve Morris, Chairman & CEO, Morgan
Motor Company, said: “We are excited to release the first images of the Plus 8
GTR following the design sketches published earlier this year. The Plus 8 GTR
represents an opportunity for Morgan to celebrate the V8 engine once again,
something we did not expect to do since finishing the Plus 8 and Aero 8 models
in 2018. Striking design, the finest craftsmanship, and an exhilarating sports
car to drive, the Plus 8 GTR is the perfect swansong to the Morgan V8. We have
been delighted to work alongside customers from around the world during the
design and build process, and we look forward to sharing the final examples
over the coming months.”
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. Further
design elements include a revised rear end, front wings, and front splitter,
all of which are hand crafted using aluminium. Fitment of a hard top with
cockpit vent completes the race-inspired aesthetic. The interior features new
door cards to fit with the high door tops, bespoke GTR dials and the option of
carbon fibre racing seats and harnesses. Unique graphics feature throughout and
each GTR is fitted with a plaque denoting its number in the build
sequence.
One design inspiration was the Plus 8
race car that competed in the GT series throughout the late nineties, more
commonly known as ‘Big Blue’. This car served as the testbed for Morgan’s first
bonded-aluminium chassis, which would go on to underpin the Aero 8 and
‘Aero-chassis’ Plus 8 models. It seemed fitting, following the more recent
launch of Morgan’s CX-Generation bonded-aluminium platform, to use this
opportunity to pay tribute to the car that pioneered Morgan’s use of aluminium
structures. As with every Morgan, each Plus 8 GTR is hand crafted using
traditional coachbuilding techniques.
The Plus 8 GTR is the second Morgan
special project of the year, following the Plus Four CX-T. Whilst different in
their function and appearance, both models demonstrate the flexibility of the
Morgan brand, celebrating craft, design and driving experience.