- Powerful 4.8-litre BMW N62B48 V8 engine
- Light, agile chassis
- Impressive dynamics
- Responsive brakes
- Cramped interior
- Awkward ingress and egress
- Challenging styling
Overview
Available in Australia from June 2008, the Morgan Series 4 Aero 8 was a two-door roadster with a soft-top roof. Manufactured in Worcestershire, England, the rear-wheel drive Aero 8 was powered by a 4.8-litre V8 petrol engine that was mated to either a six-speed Getrag manual or ZF automatic transmission.
N62B48 engine
Manufactured by BMW, the 4.8-litre N62 B48 V8 petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, fracture-split forged connecting rods, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake and exhaust valve timing (double VANOS), variable valve lift (Valvetronic) and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.
Body and dimensions
Like its Series 1 and Series 3 predecessors, the Series 4 Aero 8 had an all-aluminium chassis that was specially treated and bonded with Gurrit Essex adhesive and riveted with Bollhoff rivets. The Aero 8 was 4120 mm long, 1770 mm wide, 1200 mm tall and had a 2540 mm long wheelbase; dry weight was 1145 kg. To achieve this weight, the Aero 8 had aluminium body panels and a carbon fibre bootlid.
Compared to the Series 3 Aero, the Series 4 model could be identified by its larger front air intake and new upper level heat outlets on the top of the front guards. Inside, there was a new heating and air conditioning system with tunnel-mounted air outlets and the handbrake was repositioned. Furthermore, boot space was also improved due to the relocated fuel tank.
Suspension
The Aero 8 had cantilever front suspension with inboard springs and double wishbone rear suspension, while a limited slip differential was fitted as standard.
| Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero 8 | 2008 | 4.8-litre petrol V8 (N62 B48) | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
270 kW at 6300 rpm | 490 Nm at 3400 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Aero 8 included dual front airbags, Bosch ABS, electronic brake force distribution and front seatbelts with load limiters.
Brakes
The Aero 8 had 348 mm ventilated front brake discs with six-piston AP Racing calipers and 332 mm ventilated rear discs with two-piston calipers.
Features
Like its Series 3 predecessor, standard features for the Series 4 Aero 8 included forged alloy wheels with 18 x 8.5J Avon ZZ3 tyres, stereo with radio and CD player, bespoke leather interior, cruise control, xenon headlights with washers, remote central locking, power windows, height adjustable steering column, a heated windscreen, remote boot release and tyre pressure monitoring.
Bespoke options
Each Aero 8 was a bespoke vehicle built to customer requirements with the following options –
- Paint finish: while there were 19 ‘standard’ colours to choose from, the Morgan factory could paint the vehicle in any automotive colour;
- Soft-top: the fully-trimmed double-layer Mohair soft top roof was available in a range of colours;
- Leather: customers could select from Muirhead or Yarwood leather samples, matching or contrasting piping and stitching, and ‘quilted’ or ‘normal’ style trim;
- Carpet: wool carpet colours with the option of matching or contrasting edges;
- Wood trim: four versions of interior wood trim;
- Fascia: the standard spun aluminium fascia could be replaced for a fascia with a graphite appearance; and,
- Wheels: the standard aluminium look could be replaced with a darker Graphite finish.
Brochure
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