Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Drove the new Morgan Plus 8 today

Really interesting to read your impressions of the car, it sound fantastic. Thanks for posting them.
As for the price, my thoughts are that as long as MMC restrict the production, then they will have no problem selling them at the suggested price. . .it will become the flagship "Classic"

Would I be buying one?. . . .Erm?. . . .No, it is way out of my price range, but good luck to those of you who can.

In the meantime I think my old girl deserves another coat of Carnuba Wax. . .she may not be too fast, but she is very shiny!


Bud

My question still stands:

Are we seeing the start of a new series of Morgans?

If they were to make a entry point version the equivalent of the current Plus 4 with a 2 litre 200 hp + engine (Ecoboost?)I would have to think about it seriously.

I would think that, if it was series production, it should be possible to build it at a reasonable price. A 2 litre Ford engine, drive train etc. would cost much less than the BMW V8 rig.

In any case they will have to comply with Euro 6 by Sept. 2014 but most manufacturers will have Euro 6 models by the end of 2013.

I'm not sure an entry point 2 litre would be all that cheap....the Aero chassis and suspension is surely vastly more expensive than the traditional?

I would think that it mainly depends on the labour content between the two different build types. After all, the key cost driver in a Morgan is the labour (craftsmanship, I should say) content, is it not ?

In the end I would think that, just like any product, it will be priced as high as the market is prepared to pay...so... ....we should be talking down the price, right now, here on the forum !!

How about a special Talk Morgan Anniversary Edition. £25k to all participants of this site.

Now your talking !

Count me in please Santa
:santa3:

Andy's review of the new Morgan Plus 8 mirrors my own experience, so I'll keep my comments brief

What I will say is that both the ride quality and steering feel felt the best of any Morgan product I have driven (both Aero or Classic). The chassis is closest to the Series 1 Aero and thus with the minimal overhang of the Plus 8 bodywork, the car feels both nimble and lithe (this is also helped by the fact the 2012 Plus 8 will have an excellent power to weigh ratio).

This power to weight ratio also meant the Plus 8 felt extremely quick - acceleration was always rapid (no need for the right gear or the right RPM, the torque seemed to mean the power was always on tap) and it was only the rules of the road that restricted your ability to proceed at a physics bending pace; all the above was only exacerbated by the superb handling adding huge confidence, even on a slightly damp British winter road. A quick nod should also be made to the exhaust note, which in typical V8 fashion is there to egg you on - in the new Plus 8, you cannot help but fall in love with the idea of pressing down on the accelerator, simply to hear the tune it plays.

Aesthetically, the 2012 Morgan Plus 8 is a very purposeful looking Classic. The rear and the front perspective afford it a wonderfully wide stance; in the Black bodywork of the development car, the Plus 8 possesses an attractively menacing quality, more subtle than many performance cars but with plenty of presence. The profile is more difficult to judge because I simply don't like the wheels on the development vehicle and therefore, tried to imagine it with another set in situ. Were a set of Classic Morgan wheels fitted, I think you'd be hard pressed to tell it apart from the rest of the range from afar (which given the heritage of the profile, is certainly not a bad thing!). I will watch, with interest, which wheels MMC choose to fit to the production cars because I believe getting them correct is essential to completing the package.

Whilst not fair to judge a development vehicle on fit and finish, the interior was a nice place to sit, the cut down doors adding to the elbow room. The dash was still a work in progress but was coming together nicely: blending Classic and modern with panache. The hood seemed substantial and consideration has been given to the side screens and the fit of them when the Plus 8 is at speed. As it stands, the development car was rattle free and felt very solid and well put together. I look forward to sitting the finished product but all signs point to another Morgan cabin that is a pleasure to spend time in.

I believe that gives a fair reflection of my opinion on the new Morgan Plus 8. It is quite easy to fall under the spell of this wonderful vehicle and even in development form, it is an extremely attractive package. Therefore, perhaps it is better to reflect back on the comment made to Andy and I by the factory, which was, that they would be happy to arrange test drives for those customers who were serious about a potential purchase of the latest V8 to exit Malvern. I have a feeling the car itself will do all the selling that needs to be done and the words of others will become superfluous to the individuals experience behind the wheel.

Simon, it sounds very special indeed.

I share you opinions that it will be extremely vital that the right balance is found between modern and retro with respect to aesthetics.
That is going to be quite a challenge, but I am sure they will rise to that challenge admirably, if the latest 'Sport' models are anything to go by.

Nice to read the opinions of both Boshly and yourself. A tantalising look into this new Mog. Now where was the phone number of my bank manager...