Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Series 1-4 Aero 8 v's CX Platform Cars

Evening all,

Can anyone who has driven both please tell me if a Series 1-4 Aero 8 handles anywhere near as well as the new CX platform cars?

I expect that almost 20 years of development between the oldest S1 and the earliest CX cars should see the CX cars having the upper hand when it comes to suspension control, but I've learned over many years of motoring not to assume!

Thanks

Haven't driven a CX platform but Series 1 and 4's seem to be the best handling of the Aero series. 5's attrocious without modifications

I have a Series 4 chassis Super Sport Roadster, more commonly known as a Plus 8, from 2014.
The suspension has been replaced all round with SSL's springs and dampers, the ride and handling is as good as any modern car, but not as good as the Boxster...
I've driven a PlusSix and a PlusFour. The CX chassis is reportedly stiffer than the Aero S4, but it would take a far more analytical driver than me to notice.


The PlusSix I didn't like and it is worth comment that SSL offer an upgrade kit, but the PlusFour is really rather good, out of the box. If I owned one I'd not change anything. The smaller wheels, higher profile tyres seem to work really well with the chassis.

Hope this helps...

Certainly does Peter. Thanks.

Thanks. Didn't know that about the Series 5... but I suppose when a car looks that drop-dead gorgeous, then the rest doesn't really matter! 🤣
I'll never need to worry about this though as the S5 is beyond my financial means.

This

Define "handles" a bit more. The S1-4 and Plus8 is quite a broad church. You will also need to ensure the age has been card for with the suspension joints to be fair.
If you want towards the Caterham end of the spectrum then an S2/3 or a Plus 8 would be my steer. If you want more GT then you need to look at an S4 auto.

We have an S2 and Coupe and they are very different. The S2 is manual and the Coupe Auto and a lot heavier. I am afraid I am unable to comment on the CX as I have not driven one.

The S2 and S3 are pretty much the same except for the headlamps and minor details. The lighter engine and manual box means the S2 feels more nimble and big bike like.

Interesting question, at the time the S1 chassis was hyped up to be really something quite special, similar architecture to the V8 Vantage except it was bonded and riveted, not just bonded.

Interestingly when Aston sold off the chassis/architecture rights to the old Vantage platform it went to an anonymous bidder, reported to be Morgan at the time as it co-incided with a lot of their timelines, any truth in this - absolutely no idea, but if true it would be interesting as to what they used in the CX platform, if anything.

I have driven a Plus Four and it did seem nice, but I can't say I felt on a quick b-road blast that the chassis was better or worse, it felt very similar just quicker steering as my S1 has the original power steering and is pretty heavy. They report how much stiffer it is, but the Aero is pretty stiff - so much so it had no rollbars, so I can't tell what they are referring to exactly as often its in the finer details with marketing blurb..

Either way, both will be great choices.

The Aero S1 chassis is much stiffer torsionally than the later cars

Thats interesting Si, I always thought the chassis were the same.. you need to do a book with all this knowledge!