Extreme 280kW Morgan Plus 8 GTR unleashed

Morgan has taken the unusual decision of relaunching its discontinued Morgan Plus 8 for a new hard-core GTR edition that's claimed to draw inspiration from the Plus 8 race cars from the 1990s.

Originally axed from the line-up back in 2019, the 2022 Morgan Plus 8 GTR revives the original car's naturally-aspirated 4.8-litre V8 and is based on the previous car's underpinnings.

Speaking of which, just nine examples of the Morgan Plus 8 GTR will be made as the company that fabricated the previous-generation Plus 8 (that was subsequently replaced by the Plus Four and Plus Six) has gone out of business.

Drawing heavy inspiration from the Morgan GT racer from the late 1990s, which was named the Big Blue internally, the GTR gets a prominent front splitter, deep rear diffuser, new aluminium hard-top and wider wheel-arches that accommodate a set of lightweight alloy rims.

Extra vents lurk behind the front wheels to help suck hot air from the brakes during heavy track use.

Under the louvered bonnet (for extra cooling) is the previous car's naturally-aspirated 4.8-litre V8 that now produces 280kW – 10kW more than before, making it the most powerful Morgan of all time.

Buyers have the choice of either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic sourced from ZF.

No performance claims have been released but the most extreme GTR should sprint from 0-100km/h in around 4.0 seconds and top out at 280km/h.

To cope with the extra forces involved with spirited track use, the Morgan Plus 8 GTR gets upgraded suspension and brakes, plus extra chassis strengthening around the engine bay and chassis legs.

Rumoured to cost up to £250,000 ($A470,000), it's not known if any of the nine will head Down Under.

"We are excited to release the first images of the Plus 8 GTR following the design sketches published earlier this year," said Morgan’s boss Steve Morris.

"The Plus 8 GTR represents an opportunity for Morgan to celebrate the V8 engine once again, something we did not expect to do since finishing the Plus 8 and Aero 8 models in 2018. 

"Striking design, the finest craftsmanship, and an exhilarating sports car to drive, the Plus 8 GTR is the perfect swansong to the Morgan V8.

"We have been delighted to work alongside customers from around the world during the design and build process, and we look forward to sharing the final examples over the coming months."