Morgan Aero SuperSports Gives Us Wood

Based on last year's Morgan Aeromax Coupe, the Aero SuperSports drops its top in the name of modern performance with a retro feel. The wood-framed convertible can hit speeds in excess of 170 MPH.

Compared to that coupe, the main difference is two removable roof panels capable of fitting in the newly spacious trunk. Morgan claims these give the car coupe-like refinement when in place, we're just excited to see the company finally adopting 1970s T-top technology. The SuperSports also rides 1.6 inches lower than the coupe, but shares its 4.8-liter, 367 HP BMW V8. That engine takes it to 60 MPH in just 4.5 seconds.

The chassis is an extruded and bonded aluminum affair equipped with double wishbone suspension. On top of that sits an Ash frame, onto which the aluminum bodywork is attached. That wooden frame is a hallmark of the Morgan brand.

"Ash gives us a unique combination of strength and flexibility and it's also extremely light, which is why the car only weighs [2,425 Lbs], and has such impressive performance," says marketing director Matthew Parkin.

That chassis is also shared with the Morgan Aero Eight GT3, currently campaigning in the FIA GT3 Championship. Morgan says it "exceeds global crash standards."

The Morgan Aero SuperSports adopts an interior inspired by traditional Morgan Roadsters and is distinctly pre war looking, but features dual airbags. At around $187,000, we'd take one of these over much faster, but ultimately classless cars like the Bugatti Veyron or whatever Lamborghini is selling to the Russians these days.

Aero SuperSports
As part of the Centenary celebrations Morgan announces a truly special model.

Designed and engineered in house, the Morgan Aero SuperSports is a lightweight aluminium sports car with a luxurious specification. The interior features a comfortable combination of polished hardwoods, hand stitched leather and electronic technology to create a driving environment that is efficient, ergonomic and sumptuous. In spite of all this opulence the overall weight of the car is still minimal so the car is responsive to driver inputs and economical to run. The unique way Morgan can achieve this is down to our use of aircraft style superformed aluminium outer panels and the skills of our craftsmen to hand finish the assembly of each car.

This technology debuted in the 100 AeroMax coupes built by the factory in 2008 and 2009.

Such was demand for this model, that Morgan have taken the decision to produce the Morgan Aero SuperSports. A limited edition, the car makes use of two aluminium detachable roof panels. These can either turn the car effectively in to a coupe or when detached bring fresh air and the aromas of the seasons to the driving experience without undue wind disturbance to spoil the journey. The panels can be stored conveniently in the boot.

The car of course benefits from the lightweight aluminium Aero chassis which is adhesively bonded for class leading rigidity. Exceeding global crash protection standards, this is also the platform used by the Morgan Aero Eight GT3 currently competing successfully in the 2009 International FIA GT3 Championship. This chassis combined with the aluminium 4.8 litre BMW V8 engine and a choice of 6 speed automatic or manual gearboxes offers an unrivalled driving experience. No other automatic car offers such dynamic power transmission.

Drawn by Matthew Humphries, and engineered for production by the experienced "Morgan Design" team, the new Aero Super Sports is due to enter production in early 2010. A deposit of £25,000 is required to ensure the supply of one of these exciting new models. It is anticipated to cost around £127,000 including VAT.

Charles Morgan, Grandson of the founder said " The Morgan Aero SuperSports is a luxurious flamboyant sports car which also remains true to Morgan's philosophy of lightweight minimalist simplicity. It is a celebration of our love of cars and the romance of travel and is a fitting model to announce during Morgan's Centenary year."

[Morgan Motors via Autocar]