Two years after discontinuing the Plus 8, Morgan is bringing the retro-styled sports car back through a limited edition set called the Plus 8 GTR. The special edition model is the first in a line of special projects that Morgan plans to release this year. Only nine units of the Plus 8 GTR will be built with production scheduled to begin this summer. Pricing for the model and a delivery timetable will be announced at a later date.
The Morgan Plus 8 GTR is a by-product of fortuitous circumstances. According to the British retro carmaker, a handful of Plus 8 rolling chassis that Morgan built for a third-party manufacturer, believed to be Bristol Cars, had become available. Morgan presumably bought them back with a plan to use them for a low-production special edition model.
Design sketches of the special edition Plus 8 reveal a fixed hardtop and a set of five-spoke, center-lock alloy wheels that are inspired by the company’s race cars from the 1990s.
Aerodynamic fixtures can be seen in the sketches; the front splitter, in particular, adds a modern touch to the sports car. The Plus 8 GTR will also come with front wings, sculpted arches, and a revised rear section that includes a rear diffuser tucked around the ceramic exhaust pipes.
Power will come from a BMW-sourced 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V-8 (N62) engine. Previous versions of the Plus 8 used the same engine that came with an output of 362 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque. Morgan has yet to release the final output for the Plus 8 GTR; it’s possible that the limited-run special edition will have more power on tap. Prospective buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a ZF six-speed automatic transmission. Either way, the output from the V-8 engine will be sent to the two rear wheels. Performance figures have also not been revealed.
Morgan Plus Eight specifications
Engine |
4.8-liter naturally aspirated V-8 |
---|---|
Horsepower |
362 HP |
Torque |
361 LB-FT |
Transmission |
speed manual/ZF six-speed automatic |
0 to 60 mph |
4.5 seconds |
Top Speed |
155 mph |
As part of Morgan’s special projects program, prospective buyers will have the opportunity to visit Morgan’s factory and commission their cars to their specifications.