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The Morgan Motor Company's GT racer made its official debut at the
2002 Autosport International Show, 10-13 January 2002.
The motorsports offering from the independent Malvern-based
manufacturer went on sale shortly afterwards. It was developed from
the acclaimed Aero 8 road car under the guidance of Chief Development
Engineer and 1962 Le Mans 24-hour class winner, Christopher Lawrence.
"The Aero 8 GT(N) is possibly the most significant racing
car ever produced by Morgan and certainly the most competitive at the
factory gate", explains Lawrence. "It is the first production
competition model to have been conceived, built and homologated by the
Morgan factory team and is delivered fully race-prepared."
The production race car features a 4.4-litre Heini Mader-prepared
dry-sump M62 BMW V8 engine, which delivers over 500bhp at 6,900rpm via
a six-speed sequential gearbox. Kerb weight is 1008 kg.
The CAD-designed aluminum alloy chassis of the Aero 8 road car has
been given even greater rigidity and strength with an FIA-certified
roll cage, and a carbon composite hard top has also been added.
The Aero 8 road car's already impressive aerodynamic properties were
enhanced with a full front splitter, and the addition of a carbon
fiber wing adds additional down force to the rear end. It also
benefits from a clean venturi underside profile.
Development of the Aero 8 road car began on the race track, which
played a significant role in proving the chassis, suspension and
engine configuration." Christopher Lawrence continues.
The GT(N) car takes this successful partnership to its logical
conclusion, and wedded to advanced aerodynamic technology, this car is
set to generate a highly competitive performance."
The Morgan Aero 8 GT(N) has been fully homologated by the FIA and
approved by the Automobile Club de La Ouest (ACO), organizer of the Le
Mans 24-hour.
The price ex-factory is around ё180,000, and the race car will be
built by a dedicated specialist team at Malvern completely separately
from the main production line.
Morgan Motor
Official Website
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