영국 클래식카의 대명사 모건의 한정판입니다. 모건 4휠 역사상 가장 높은 인기를 끈 모던 플러스 8의 50주년을 기념해 만든 걸작이죠.
초대 모건은 1968년 생산되었죠. 당시 로버 V8 엔진을 품고 상당히 공격적인 퍼포먼스를 냈습니다. 그리고 2004년 생을 마감했죠.
신형은 수제작으로 50대만 만들 계획이고 경량의 알루미늄 섀시를 사용합니다. 엔진은 BMW가 공급하는 V8 4.8이고 무게는 1,100kg에 불과합니다. 덕분에 4.5초면 100km/h에 도달하는 순발력을 자랑합니다.
Morgan Motor Company unveils
Plus 8 50th Anniversary Special Edition
6th March 2018
Key facts
- The Plus 8 50th Anniversary represents a half-century milestone for Morgan’s iconic
V8-powered Plus 8
- Just 50 limited-edition examples of the model will be produced and individually
numbered
- First revealed at the Geneva Motor Show on 6th March 2018
- The original Plus 8 was launched in 1968 and was the first production V8 Morgan.
Approximately 6,000 Plus 8s have been produced since 1968
- The Plus 8 50th Anniversary is based on Morgan’s production Plus 8 and features a
BMW V8 engine and a bonded and riveted aluminium chassis
- Specific design details have been carefully considered to celebrate 50 years of the
Plus 8. Most prominently, the 1968 prototype Plus 8, known as ‘MMC 11’
- The Plus 8 50th Anniversary models will be the final Plus 8s to feature a BMW V8 engine
- At 1,100kg, the Plus 8 is one of the lightest V8 passenger cars in the world. It is
capable of 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph
- Each of the 50 Plus 8 50th Anniversary editions is available in right or left-hand drive
and with automatic or manual transmissions
- The celebratory model is available in two specification options: blue ‘speedster
spec’ or a British racing green edition with a soft-top
- Each Plus 8 will be supplied with a Christopher Ward C1 Morgan Plus 8 Chronometer
anniversary watch featuring a piece of the original ‘MMC 11’ Plus 8 in the back
plate
- The limited-edition Plus 8 50th Anniversary will cost from £107,500 excluding local
market taxes
- All of the 50 Plus 8 50th Anniversary models have been allocated to official Morgan
Dealerships
“The Morgan Plus 8 sits firmly as one of the most iconic and revered models of Morgan’s
109-year history. From launch, the combination of a lightweight roadster combined with a
V8 engine has proved a triumph for buyers around the world, be it for road or track use. For
many, the Plus 8 is the archetypal British sports car combining handcrafted, bespoke luxury
with exhilarating performance – and that’s exactly why the Plus 8 has been a mainstay of
the Morgan range for 50 years.
“With half a century of success behind the car, it’s essential that we mark the moment with
a limited production range of vehicles that celebrate everything the Plus 8 stands for,
emphasise the heritage and history of the model and provide the perfect platform to
extract the maximum performance and excitement from the 4.8-litre 367bhp V8.
“The Plus 8 has been a part of the range for my entire Morgan career, and it is an honour
and a privilege to unveil this celebratory model here in Geneva.”
Steve Morris, Managing Director, Morgan Motor Company
Celebrating an icon
Morgan Motor Company is celebrating its iconic V8-powered Plus 8, with a 50th Anniversary
Edition. The family-owned British marque has today officially unveiled the Plus 8 50th
Anniversary Edition at the 88th annual Geneva Motor Show.
The Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition pays homage to one of Morgan’s most celebrated
models. Production will be limited to just 50 examples, each one hand-built and carrying a
unique model number.
First conceived by company owner at the time, Peter Morgan, the head-turning Plus 8
prototype was revealed to the public at the Earls Court Motor Show of 1968 and was
powered by a Rover V8 engine with a Moss gearbox. Over the following half a century,
approximately 6,000 Plus 8s have driven out through the gates of Morgan’s Pickersleigh
Road home.
The Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary is a fitting combination of craftsmanship, luxury and
technology. A lightweight aluminium chassis and 4.8-litre BMW engine sit beneath the
traditional Morgan body. At just 1,100kg, the Plus 8 is one of the lightest V8 passenger cars
in the world and is capable of 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. The
Plus 8 50th Anniversary will be the last Morgan vehicle to feature the naturally aspirated
BMW V8 engine.
The limited-edition Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition will cost from £107,500 excluding local
market taxes.
Colours
The Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition is available in two striking colours and two specifications –
blue ‘speedster style’ with an open cockpit, or green ‘traditional convertible’ with a softtop.
Throughout Morgan history, significant prototypes and some of the most successful V8 race
cars have all been painted blue. The most famous racing version, MMC11, was known for its
distinctive blue paint, and this is reflected in the ‘speedster-style’ open cockpit version. The
Plus 8’s colours were selected to celebrate this tradition.
A true British sports car, the Plus 8 50th Anniversary edition will also be produced in British
Racing Green – the most popular colour associated with over 109 years of Morgan Motor
Company. The green models will be specified with a soft-top.
Each car will be individually liveried by Morgan’s craftspeople with graphic work applied
beneath the lacquer for durability and as a clear signifier of the special nature of the
vehicle. Each Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition is also finished with a unique number on the
exterior back panel of the car.
Other accents on the car celebrating Morgan’s motorsport pedigree include towing eyes
in yellow, sporty white brake callipers and, most noteworthy, ceramic-coated twin-cannonstyle
white exhaust tips. The exhausts have been specially made to amplify and refine the
dramatic V8 soundtrack. Further white and yellow accents feature on both the blue and
green variants of the car.
Wheels
Morgan’s in-house design team specially commissioned new five-stud wheels for the Plus 8
50th Anniversary Edition. These were design to reflect the forms of the original cast wheel
commonly equipped to Plus 8’s throughout the years. The 50th Anniversary edition wheels
are refined to handle the increased power of the BMW V8 engine beneath the handcrafted
body.
The surface of the wheels has evolved to maintain strength and allow room for the large
brake callipers whilst not only maintaining strength, but also the ‘deep dish’ so rarely seen in
modern vehicle design. The wheels are finished in a specially created soft celebratory
champagne colour.
Exterior and Interior Details
Drawing inspiration from the first production Plus 8, MMC 11, a spun aluminium domed
panel adorns the rear of the Plus 8 50th Anniversary edition.
A plaque inside each car denotes its unique number of production, from a limited
production run of 50 examples.
Authenticity is maintained to the finest detail, with light leather wrapping used to seal the
external wing panels, carrying the same colouring as used on the original prototype MMC
11. It also plays a role in accentuating the iconic wing profile of the classic Morgan.
From the front, modern LED lighting adopts a simplistic graphic blending modern and
traditional. Spot lamps, painted in body colour, add to the purposeful look of the model
and give it an instantly recognisable presence on the road. The addition of extra bonnet
louvres and a leather bonnet belt hint at the aggressive nature of the V8 engine, whilst the
number ‘8’ painted onto the front grille is a direct inspiration of the racing days of the
original Plus 8.
For the interior, a naturally waterproof black leather has been chosen to provide durability
essential for vehicles without a roof. A highly detailed, twin-pleated stitch has been
adopted for the seat centres, in accordance to the motorsport theme that carries
throughout the interior and exterior. Specially designed dial faces complete the heritage
feel of the matte-finished walnut dashboard.
“Firmly established as Morgan’s crowning vehicle for fifty years, the Morgan Plus 8 continues
to pioneer new technology within the classic Morgan bloodline. Deriving its name from the
famed eight-cylinder engines it has adopted throughout the years, it consistently offers the
greatest power to weight ratio of any Morgan. The Plus 8 has always been the driver’s
Morgan. Born on the racetrack, and having been no stranger to it since, has meant
performance pedigree underpins every Plus 8. When combined with an uncompromising
attention to craftsmanship, luxury and material choice, there is no more desirable
Gentleman racer.
“Each design detail of the Plus 8 50th has been considered to celebrate the Plus 8’s
significance to the Morgan company and its customers over the last 50 years. This famous
V8 was a renowned model throughout the automotive industry in the Sixties, and has today
evolved into an unrivalled machine, offering raw exhilaration and effortless power delivery.
Overlooking the long wide bonnet, sat directly on the rear axle, when driving a Plus 8 you
are very aware of, not just its soundtrack, but its significance and its capability. The design
of this special final edition hopes to do both justice.”
Jon Wells, Head of Design, Morgan Motor Company
V8 engine, Aluminium Chassis
All Plus 8 50th Anniversary models will sit on Morgan’s renowned aluminium chassis, coupled
with the N62 BMW V8. Available in both automatic and manual transmission variants, each
Plus 8 50th Anniversary can also be specified as a right-hand or left-hand-drive model.
The chassis, initially designed with the inception of the original Aero 8 back in 2000, has
evolved since then and first formed the underpinnings of the ‘new’ Plus 8 in 2012.
Bonded and rivetted, the chassis was designed in-house by Morgan and has seen
continual improvement, with the most recent developments occurring in 2016 with the
introduction of the new Aero 8. The changes introduced to the chassis for the new Aero 8,
which also flowed to the Plus 8, included improved torsional stiffness, a revised front end,
all-new suspension, anti-roll bars and a limited-slip differential. The driver benefits from a
more responsive and better-handling sports car as a result.
Morgan and Christopher Ward Plus 8 Watch
Continuing the success of Morgan’s partnership with fellow British company, Christopher
Ward, the two companies are delighted to collaborate on another timepiece for the
Morgan range. A C1 Morgan Plus 8 Chronometer Anniversary watch will accompany each
Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition produced, allowing owners to extend their Morgan
experience beyond the pure driving pleasure that the Plus 8 provides. Each Christopher
Ward and Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition watch contains a small piece of the
original ‘MMC 11’, the car that the anniversary model pays homage to, embedded into
the back plate. Ownership of such a watch allows each customer to become a true
custodian of the Morgan Plus 8, with ownership spanning half a century.
Morgan’s design team worked closely with Christopher Ward’s product team to create the
watch design, which is powered by Christopher Ward’s renowned mechanical
chronometer Calibre SH21, with a unique new dial, strap and subtle detailing. They also
collaborated to design the dashboard dial faces for the Plus 8 itself, allowing both the
watch and the car to take inspiration from each other. Each watch will be numbered 1-50
and every owner will receive their corresponding numbered watch for their Plus 8.
“Providing a commemorative timepiece seemed fitting for the Plus 8 50th Anniversary.
Watches and motorsport have been synonymous with one another long before designs for
the original Morgan Plus 8 were drawn up. This anniversary provided us with an ideal
opportunity to explore more design ideas with our creative friends at Christopher Ward. The
50th Anniversary limited edition does not simply reflect the finite details of the vehicle within
its aesthetic, as several details of both watch and car were designed simultaneously. When
asked how the association with the Plus 8 could be reinforced further still, we discovered
the opportunity to redeploy some of the aluminium body from MMC 11 within the watch’s
structure. The ability for our owners to essentially become custodians of a piece of Plus 8
history is a unique opportunity.”
Jon Wells, Head of Design, Morgan Motor Company
Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition technical specification
Manual variant
Engine BMW 4799CC V8
Gearbox BMW Man 6spd
Max Power 270kw (367 bhp)
Max Torque 490Nm (370 lb/ft)
Performance 0 – 62 4.5 seconds
Top Speed 155mph (249 kph)
Power to Weight 315 bhp / tonne
Urban mpg 18.2 mpg (16.5l /100km)
Extra urban 32 mpg (8.7l /100km)
Combined 23 mpg (12.11 /100km)
Co2 282 g/km
Length 4010mm
Width 1751mm
Engine BMW 4799CC V8
Height 1220mm
Dry weight 1100kg
Homologation EU
Fuel tank size 55 litres
Chassis Aluminium bonded + rivetted
Automatic variant ICAL – AUTOMATIC
Engine BMW 4799CC V8
Gearbox ZF auto 6spd
Max Power 270kw (367 bhp)
Max Torque 490Nm (370 lb/ft)
Performance 0 – 62 4.5 seconds
Top Speed 155mph (249 kph)
Power to Weight 315bhp / tonne
Urban mpg 17 mpg (16.4l /100km)
Extra urban 36 mpg (7.9l /100km)
Combined 26 mpg (11.0 /100km)
Co2 256 g/km
Length 4010mm
Width 1751mm
Height 1220mm
Dry weight 1100kg
Homologation EU
Fuel tank size 55 litres
Chassis Aluminium bonded + rivetted
Christopher Ward C1 Morgan Plus 8 Chronometer
Features
• Swiss made in-house chronometer
• 31 jewel Calibre SH21 hand-wound movement with 120-hour power reserve
• Bespoke black PVD movement bridge with polished chamfers
• Aluminium Morgan disk with lacquered commemorative inscription
• Part of ‘MMC 11’ 1968 prototype Plus 8 in the back plate of the watch
• 40.5mm brushed and polished steel case
• Push-down crown with raised and engraved Morgan wings motif
• Anti-reflective domed sapphire crystal
• Matte black textured dial
• Wide bevelled power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock with yellow indicator needle
• Small second sub dial at 6 o’clock with yellow second hand
• Multifaceted polished hour and minute hands filled with SLN T-C1 lume paint
• Screw-in transparent case back with engraved serial number
• Perforated leather strap with dress buckle and yellow interior
• Luxurious Morgan ash presentation case and owner’s handbook
Technical
• Diameter: 40.5mm
• Height: 12.1mm
• Weight: 62g
• Calibre: Calibre SH21 with Power Reserve Indicator and Small Seconds (Handwound)
• Case: 316L Stainless Steel
• Water Resistance: 3 ATM (30 metres)
• Vibrations: 28,800 per hour (4 Hz)
• Timing tolerance: +6/-4 seconds per day
• Lug to lug: 48.55mm
Strap: 20mm
Strap: Perforated leather with yellow interior
