Tradition always used to be the reason for buying a Morgan. The Plus 8 and 4/4 went well and looked great, but their driving manners were a throwback to a different age. That's still part of the charm with the Ford V-6-powered Roadster, but the Aero 8 is entirely different.
Under the controversially updated, cross-eyed styling, the Aero 8 marries superformed and hand-beaten aluminum panels, a wooden body frame, and a sophisticated, bonded and riveted aluminum tub that has an extruded-rail front crash structure. The car has all-around control-arm suspension, while the large ventilated disc brakes have six-piston front and two-piston rear AP Racing calipers. Its 4.4-liter BMW V-8 engine makes 325 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque, and the steering now has electric power assistance, one of the many changes made to the Aero 8 since it went into production in 2003.
Other than the headlights, the styling is quite attractive. The interior has bespoke rotary controls and switches to go with high-quality BMW parts-bin items. The dash looks great, the leather smells sublime, and the wood that's on display is real ash-and it's actually there for a structural reason.
Weighing only 2500 pounds, the Aero 8 is very quick in a straight line, with a claimed0-to-60-mph time of just 4.5 seconds. Midrange acceleration is amazing and is accompanied by a raucous V-8 growl. The six-speed ZF manual transmission and clutch are as fluid as those in a BMW, and the brakes are superb from speed, if a little over-servo'd around town.
The big surprise is the way the car handles. A traditional Moggie leaps from crag to crag, but the Aero 8 is stable and planted, rides decently, turns in crisply, and grips like a Porsche 911. The excellent steering proves that electric power assistance can have fine feel and weight.
