Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Aero Auto

Drove one today, just a short blast.

All I will say is this:

If you are going to buy a new aero, it should be compulsory to try the Auto before you spec the car.

Yep, I'd never have even considered an auto if I hadn't tried one . In fact, so far it's all I've been able to try. (I e-mailed the factory to see if they'd help me out on that one....not heard anything )
Pretty Goddam impressive as self-shifters go (especially as the manual override works so smoooothly) .
But my heart still says manual is the only way to go for a true-Brit sports car....
But I'm starting to weaken....
Somebody help....
(Have any of the 'professional' testers or learned engineer-types expressed an informed opinion??)

There's an article in this month's MSCC magazine - Miscellany - titled "It's NOT an automatic!" by Colin Jones.

I'll quote briefly from the summary of the article: "In summary, a stunning addition to the Morgan range . This car will delight everyone who drives it, it affords the owner the possibility of covering vast differences in total comfort with very little driver fatigue. I would love the opportunity to take one to the French Alps in 'Auto' mode and then selecting 'Manual' and attacking the Alpine Passes.

Of all the Morgan's I have ever driven this one is the most bonkers, glorious and adrenaline producing. It stands way above any other sports car I have ever driven, I just wish I owned one."
High praise indeed for both the auto box and the Series IV from a Morgan stalwart.

Aeroman

There has been much written about the auto because it is the same system as is available in the AeroMax.

Chris Harris of Drivers Republic expressed to me, in person, how impressed he was with the auto and felt it matched the character of the AeroMax perfectly. This was the review he did for Drivers Republic.

In terms of my personal opinion, I am also on the fence; not because the auto is not extremely competent and a worthy choice but because I generally but manual for pleasure use and auto for daily driver.

No matter how good an auto is (or an F1-style box with computer controlled clutch), there is always a sacrifice to be made at the expense of driver involvement/car control, to gain ease of use in traffic.

I'll wait until I have an extended test drive to make the final decision but I recognise it won't be an easy one.

I agree with you Simon, when I was last at the factory,I had the pleasure of riding out in a black auto Aero with the factory test driver for well over an hour, although I was a passenger only, but noticed there were just a very slight delay between gear changes in manual mode(not as fast as the DSG), therefore any spirited driving might involve a bit of forward planning.
In auto mode, it was superb I was all excited, and decided my next Aero will deffo be an auto.
Now, I'm not sure the last few times when I took my Aero out for a decent drive, stirring my gearstick about, heel & toe on down gear changes, holding onto each gear for as long or short time as I please, and I was wondering what if I was in an auto? Will I still enjoy driving it as much? The answer is probably "NO" for most of the time, because I'll be doing nothing, but holding onto my steering wheel with both hands
Pretty much lack driver's involvement!! But I haven't ruled auto out completely tho...

No question for me, it will be auto.

Very wise choice, Michel especially when you need to commute into New York(occasionally )

Michel, I'm not sure where Mogwire gets it's info from but this could be bad news!
http://www.mogwire.com/

All Morgan overseas shipments suspended

Kin, I believe there has been some modifications to how the gearbox works so you will find that any auto coming out of the factory now will not have that delay and the manual change is superfast.

Oh oh, thanks for the info (I think), I'll call my dealer and let you know the story.