Morgan teases new limited-run Plus 8 GTR

MORGAN is about to embark on a run of “special projects” which will see the creation of multiple low-volume, high-demand models with the Plus 8 GTR set to be the first.

Limited to just nine units globally, the Plus 8 GTR has been described by brand executives as a “gloves off special edition” and will actually be underpinned by a batch of unused, recommissioned rolling chassis from an undisclosed discontinued external project.

All built before 2018, the donor platforms are all unused examples of Morgan’s first bonded-aluminium chassis underpinning late model Plus 8s and all will come fitted with a BMW-sourced 4.8-litre V8 petrol engine.

In standard form the V8 produces 270kW of power, however the brand is promising a range of select mechanical upgrades which could ultimately see power be nudged toward the 300kW mark.

No specifics have been revealed yet, including a targeted or expected power figure, however we do know there will be the choice of either a six-speed manual or a six-speed ZF automatic transmission available – the final production split is also yet to be confirmed.

Whereas most Morgans have been built in the brand’s famous Pickersleigh Road facility, the Plus 8 GTR will be built at the nearby Morgan Design and Engineering Centre.

According to Morgan head of design Jonathan Wells, the project may not seem like the most obvious undertaking at this point in time, but it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

“When the opportunity presented itself to recommission a number of rolling chassis and create an exciting special project such as Plus 8 GTR, we embraced it fully,” he said.

“This project has allowed Morgan’s design and engineering teams to revisit some of their favourite elements of past Morgan models, as well as experiment with some features that we hope will appear on future Morgan cars.”

Sporting all of the usual Morgan styling cues, the Plus 8 GTR will turn things up to 11 when it launches by the end of the year with a far more aggressive bodykit and front lighting signature as well as large diameter centre-lock alloy wheels, a higher shoulder line and a hard-top roof.

When completed, the brand says the Plus 8 GTR will deliver a “raw, visceral, loud” driving experience in keeping with the racecars its design is based on.