I've made some edits, and have suggested a few more
We might benefit from dropping this into a google doc while we edit it, so that nobody loses their changes if two of us work on it at the same time
Will
Prototype
[I know I've seen something about this in a book.. Morgan ran/raced a prototype Aero chassis with a trad body: I'll dig it out]
Version 1 – (2000-2004) [estimated number produced xxx]
Complete with a bespoke aluminium chassis, all independent suspension and powered by a 4.4 litre BMW V8 engine (M62TUB44) producing 286 bhp at 5.500 rpm this was a radical departure from the traditionally build Morgans. Performance was 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 151 mph.
Version 2 –(2004-XXX) [estimated number produced xxx]
Version 2 of the Aero 8 was launched at the 2004 Los Angeles Motor Show. Now using the BMW V8 4.4L engine N62B44 (245 kW/329 bhp at 6,100 rpm and 450 Nm/330 lb⋅ft at 3,600 rpm
Further revisions included (but were not limited to): suspension improvements, a wider cockpit for more interior room (an increase of 6 inches in width), larger trunk and an optional removable hardtop. The new V8 provided a top speed of 160 mph with 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 4.8 seconds.
GTN 11 produced
[wouldn't be complete without it!]
GT3
[I'm sure we could say something useful here; there's video of the development, and I can find links to the results & cheating/disqualification by rivals because they were losing :-) It'll help explain the Aero GT]
Version 3 – (XXX-2007) [estimated number produced xxx]
Version 3 of the Morgan Aero 8 kept all of the engineering modifications of Version 2; however, also received the new front end treatment from the Morgan Aeromax. The restyled front wings, lights and grill resolved the slight squint (inward facing lights) of the S1 and S2 versions.
Aeromax [estimated number produced xxx]
Version 4 –(2007-2019) [estimated number produced xxx]
Version 4 of the Morgan Aero 8 has seen the 3rd new engine in the life of the vehicle; the BMW 4.4 V8 has been replaced with the BMW 4.8 V8 (N62B48) with 367bhp and 370 lb/ft of torque. This 13% power increase over the previous Aero gives the new Series 4 Aero 8 a power to weight ratio of 315bhp per tonne.
Version 4 spawned a number of versions, all baws on the same chassis, engine and running gear.
Aero 8 Supersport [estimated number produced xxx]
Coupe [estimated number produced xxx]
Aero Plus 8 (2013 to 2019) [estimated number produced xxx]
Plus 8 Speedster [estimated number produced xxx]
A first for the Aero 8 also comes in the form of an optional automatic transmission; Morgan state: - ZFs 6 HP26 six speed gives even better performance than a manual gearbox due to its special lock up clutch, low power loss design and instant change characteristic. The automatic is useable either as a full automatic for more relaxed driving or in sport manual mode when the bespoke gear lever will hold the engine revs up to the maximum in each gear, increase change speed and blip the throttle to smooth down changes. From 2014 the transmission was offered with paddle shift .
In addition to these technical changes, a repositioned fuel tank (to improve the weight distribution), revised instrumentation (from cream dials with blue numerals to black with white), an increase in luggage space, revised air vents, a move to a conventional handbrake leaver and air intakes and exits on the front wings distinguish the Series 4 Aero 8 from previous models.
Version 5 –(2016-2018) [estimated number produced xxx]
Version 5 of the Morgan Aero 8 has the same BMW 4.8 V8 with 367bhp and 370 lb/ft of torque of the series 4. Available both with the ZF 6HP26 six speed automatic or with manual transmission. A completely revised back of the car allows to have a soft top roof that can be fully hidden in the boot when in top down, and a carbon hard top. The Series 5 also has a completely new front and rear suspension, with anti roll bars and outboard conventional wishbones and coil over units. Additional structural elements replacing the inboard suspension units gave added chassis stiffness.
Aero GT 8 2018 (8 produced)
(Steve Morris' orange GT is actually a bodykitted/ converted S5.
At launch all were said to be manuals, but Steve Morriss' and at least one other are auto.
The pressure-relieving louvres in the wings are individually hand formed.
