Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax MOG Mag Teaser

Not quite so sure on that, I remember going to Singapore in 1987 sitting in the Regency Hyatt lobby and seeing expensive petrol guzling cars, Ferraris, Lambos, Porsche, RRs, Bentleys and so on. We then returned 12 years later, punitive legislation had been imposed, if I recal correctly a car with engine over 2l was $10k tax a year, and it got higher based on power and emissions, we hardly saw an exotic car around and all cars had got smaller. So in that case I think 2 impacts took effect, costs and it was not seen anymore to be friendly to own a high emissions burner. Whether you agree with the measures or not it took effect.

Morgan have to live in the real world and I'm aware of some of the choices available to them engine-wise going forward.
The diesel wins at Le Mans are not really totally relevant as the French have always gone their own way with the rules there, imho the current F1 engine rules are a more important portender of the future direction. I have read in the motoring press that diesel cars will be banned from the centre of Paris, possibly by 2018, but definitely by 2020, and that London and other cities will follow suit.

Incidentally it will be interesting to see how the FWD Nissan GT-R LM Nismo fares this year, having seen the car at Geneva it is certainly very original thinking and it would be nice to see the conventional (diesel) cars given a race!


Not strictly true, whilst the volume was in 4 and 6-cylinder cars, there is a long tradition in the UK of building light sports cars with big, usually American V8's. My father had a pre-war Railton in his collection (though a straight 8) and post-war there were Sydney Allard's wonderful creations, Bristol, Jensen, TVR, etc, etc, and from 1968 Morgan joined the party with the Plus 8.


I know from your constant asides that you don't like SP1, not an issue. The overall reception round the world has been positive, but that was not the motivation - in the end like much in life, he who pays the piper calls the tune.

Congrats on the new car Brian what do you get as a base vehicle the price seems very good compared to the plus 8 have they got it wrong or is it just me.

Em

And based on my recent visits it has made bugger all difference. Hotel lobby's are littered with 6 figure cars that cost 7 figure amounts in Singapore.

If i was lucky enough to own a supersprt liveing in Switserland i would spacify duiring build two triangles in the dash area so i could fit my toblerone in.Trouble is what size would i pick.


Em

The LE MANS diesel wins are not a fair representation, as the petrol cars are so restricted it is almost impossible for them to win. Its not a level playing field.

Don't forget that diesels were also the class of the field in the WTCC until a rule change.

Large your G Ba.

Yes, I thought was a rather barbed comment Brian. Whilst you can't appeal to everyone's tastes with car design, the general consensus about the SP1 was that it was stunning and a very brave move by Morgan (and you!) to give the guys there something to stretch their talents. Like all cars, SP1 won't really show its true self until it is out on the road!

Getting back to engines, I believe that whilst legislation allows it, there should be a large capacity V8 in the model range, it's part of Morgan's heritage. The market out there for a V8 powered Aero, for example as you say, Germany, is sufficient to absorb the proposed build numbers. At some stage Morgan will need to develop the cars to accept engines to meet future legislation but diesels an absolute no no. They are going up a blind alley now after years of being pushed as the solution to reducing car emmisions.

Nobody is mentioning hybrid/ electric here.
Regeneration systems too.
This appears to be gaining ground in mainstream cars despite what appears to be at higher purchase cost.
A smaller hydrocarbon burning engine with assistance from battery power/ regeneration is going to continue to be developed.
Have you noticed how engine manufacturers have developed cleaner versions after taxation penalties were introduced?
The stimulus has set off R&D to combat it.
Diesel in. morgan? No.
Hybrid/ regen? Yes...acceptable. But what chassis configuration to carry it?
As the Politicians continue to treat cars as evil which has been the case all along and cash cows then there has to be a move to greener cars. Shame about the REAL polluters being ignored!
I think that unless taxes become really exorbitant then there will be a place for " nice" engines for the immediate future.
Cylinder numbers are likely to fall from 12 to 8 max. Probably to 6 more common.
Smart V8 variants with cylinder turn off features until all are needed are with us in some top end cars so possibly expandable. You can poodle along on 4 cylinders and foot down kicks in the remainder. (Merc or BMW do it??)
Morgan need to keep their eye on the trends and adapt...luckily they buy in engines!
The electric car (that nearly hit me in Shelsley!) is an example.
The problems will be fitting the technology into a trad.
Good luck!!!!!
I will enjoy my V8 for as long as I can!