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

In the somewhat unlikely event that anyone hasn't yet seen it, there is a feature on the SuperSports in the July issue of 'Octane' magazine
Cheers,
G
PS Not to mention some good stuff on "75 years of Jaguar"

FYI Note also in this months EVO there is a feature on driving the SuperSport to Monthelray in France.

Evo and Octane are implying that there are some problems with the electric powerassistance. It seems to have a dead spot.
Hope this gets sorted out before my car is delivered .

The concept of the 'customer developmment car'?
G

Microsoft are the masters of beta testing their products on customers.

I would assume that MMC are trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea. They will have journos asking to drive the car, knowing full well that it is early in the production and they are still perfecting the changes implemented from the previous Mk4 Aero; however, if they hold off on allowing the magazines to drive it (taking the time to work out all the teething glitches), then they will miss the opportunity to publicise the car.

Simon,
As you say, they are damned if they do and damned if they don't. As you know, I've given the factory a fair bit of stick on this site for d this CDC thing but, in all fairness to them, so long as they respond quickly to any customer concerns ( and my information from you Aero guys suggests that they do) then good on them
regards,
G

G,

I'm in agreement with you. Having witnessed first hand the systems the factory have put in place to improve the quality of new cars, I know they are committed to constant improvement (it is also a win win: satisfied customers and lower warranty claims). However, I have always found MMC to be very good at resolving issues and therefore, I cannot complain.

Personally, I think the reviewers will be more prone to criticism of the SS. Whilst the Aeromax had a beguiling effect and it seemed the journos couldn't fail to fall under it's spell. As an example, I remember speaking with the chaps from Drivers Republic after they did the interview with Charles and reviewed the Aeromax - all three (which included Chris Harris and Richard Meaden) went into the factory liking Morgan but never wanting to own one; however, after the tour, speaking with Charles and viewing the Aeromax, all 3 were so smitten that they would have bought one on the spot. These are their words when recounting the story to me. The Aeromax won people over and the reviews were glowing; however, the SS follows in the shoes (read shadow) of a car that (imho) really is an iconic Morgan. Like the second album of any great band, the SS will be judged more harshly because of the greatness that came before it.

Just my 2-pence and, like always, simply one opinion.

I found your comments about Harris interesting. I actually met him when he was on the Llangynidr mountain road testing the first Aero. He had mixed feelings- loved the way the car looked but slagged the build quality. I remember he had a particuar gripe about the diff.

Can't complain though, he gave a ride on one of his test runs!
They got quite a famous picture out of that test It's been widely reproduced eg see page 125 of Jonathan Wood's " Morgan- Performance PLus Tradition"
You can tell it's in Wales- It's peeing down with rain and if you look very carefully, there's a sheep inthe background!
By the way, if anybody is ever over that way, it's a really good driving road- climbs up out of the valley right onto the crags and if its clear, you can accelerate all the way

G

G

We spoke about his previous experience with the early Aero 8 and he wasn't overly flattering. He felt the Aeromax had moved the game on significantly and really was very complimentary about it. His only real criticism was the trim around the side exit exhaust his quote was, "it looks like something cheap you'd buy from Halfords; however, it actually isn't cheaply made, which makes it all the more frustrating."

He was genuinely excited by the Aeromax and they all seemed very positive about what Morgan were doing within the automotive industry.

I'll try to dig out the article that went along with the video as it recounts their feelings far better than I can.

On the steering issue I seem to remember the Aero in the past being criticised for 'overly direct' steering requiring constant input.

Perhaps there has been an effort to smooth this out resulting in a small dead spot.

Anyway I hope to drive a Supersports soon and will record my impressions.

However the best overall review for us here will doubtless be from our very own Aeroman, who having extensively driven every Aero produced will be in the best position to comment on the evolution.

I'm getting excited about someone else getting a car, I must be a car geek!