Morgan Motor Company unveiled a special 50th Anniversary Edition version of its Plus 8 at the Geneva motor show that will pay a special farewell to the iconic model before it loses its naturally aspirated motor.
More than 6,000 Plus 8s have been produced at Morgan's famous Malvern headquarters in the last half a century, but the company is calling time on the car's run with this final limited edition model.
Power again comes from a BMW-sourced V8 engine. Rover supplied the engines for the original Plus 8 run, which was first conceived by Peter Morgan in 1968. The German engines were first used in 2004, the year before Rover's demise. The 50th anniversary Plus 8, along with the new Aero GT that was also unveiled at Geneva, will be the final Morgans to feature naturally aspirated engines.
The car is built on a lightweight aluminium chassis, like all Morgans, which helps it have the best power-to-weight ratio of any car that has ever been produced by the company. Weight is a low 1,100kg, helping the car do the 0-60mph dash in a brisk 4.5 seconds, while the top speed is 155mph.
'The 50th Anniversary Edition is a fitting illustration of the Plus 8’s beauty and finesse, coupled with raw exhilaration and capability,' said Steve Morris, Morgan's managing director. 'Performance has underpinned every one of the Plus 8s that have driven out of our factory gates for 50 years and we’re excited to reveal the car in full in Geneva.'
'Firmly established as Morgan’s crowning vehicle for 50 years, the Plus 8 continues to pioneer new technology within the classic Morgan bloodline,' said Jon Wells, head of design at Morgan. 'When combined with an uncompromising attention to craftsmanship, luxury and material choice, there is no more desirable gentleman racer.'
Gallery: Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition