Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Aero 8 S5 Test Drive

30 miles and almost 1 hour on A and B roads in Williams' new demonstrator.

Nice, very nice but not for me.
Why?

1. A the lack of elbow room on the right irritated me. I like the Trad cut down doors and I suppose the wind up window makes the door thicker.

2. The roof isn't lined, so is black. Tarka has a dark brown mohair hood, with a cream/light tan inner headlining, which in my view makes the car a nicer place to be. No hood lining on a car at this price point is unacceptable

3. The inside of the car looks and feels cheap when compared with the SuperSport Wiulliamns has for sale and Tarka, for that matter. The carpet reminds me of a 1970s living rooom, the heater vents below the dash look and feel cheap: they should be polished aluminium.
Finally the way the metal surround to the gear lever is screwed down was sloppy, it looks as though the wrong sized screws have been fitted, so they stand proud...really?
Oh yes, the A/C didn't work: sloppy PDI on a car that had covered just 311 miles.

4. The ride isn't much of an improvement over Tarka, better, yes, but not massively so. So it is good, but not excellent.

5. There is no radio provision and wheras Tarka has 6 speakers this car had 2, behind the seats. Unless there is an option for a 6 speaker system with DAB Radio it would be a deal breaker alone.

6. And finally it would cost me £40K to buy a new one, with £60K for Tarka. I could keep Tarka and have a nice M3W and have chage, which is what I'd rather do!

Some good points though...

1. Getting in, hood up, is easier than into Tarka as the curved "door top" works well.

2. It is noticably quieter, both wind and road noise, hood up, up to about 80..

3. The software controlling the autobox is, in sport mode, a BIG improvement:fast to respond and changes 2 gears at a time when asked. I'd REALLY like that map on Tarka.

4. Good luggage space in the boot, unlike in the cabin.

5. The seats are firmer, they look the same as on Tarka but feel loads better!

6. Overall the shut line alignment and finish was good!

Final comment: A big step forward in many ways, but If I needed to replace Tarka I'd order a new Plus 8 Auto!!

Good to read your thoughts, Peter. First seat-of-the-pants assessment I've read so far on the new 8..

It's seems strange there hasn't been a road test by the press yer... Unless they are waiting till all the issues that turn up on customer / dealer cars are fixed..

They are interesting comparisons thanks.

Have you seen David G's M3W add.

I had a fast lap of Cholomondely festival of speed by Oakmere driver.
I agree with Peters comments lack of elbow room
I sat in it thinking is this a 90 k car?
Switches and metal finishes look cheap.
If I was in the market think the Traditional bodied + 8 would be my choice.
The boot is a bonus .

Would it be difficult to have the 8's ECU's re-mapped?

I'm glad its not just me who thinks the interior is a step backwards.
Simon

Key question...have to find out from the factory....!!!!
The question is...who to ask!!

The interior is a big disappointment for me also. Compared to my mk3, it's a massive step backwards when it should be several steps forwards.

Elbow room is an issue if you come from a Trad. I quite liked the S5 I drove at BHM - the ivory & green manual, but as I said at the time, the relationship between the pedals and steering wheel just don't suit my size. wheel is too close relative to pedal reach.

But I like the trads much more to drive.