Morgan Eva GT steals the show at Pebble Beach

The first details and a shadowy teaser shot surfaced two months ago and Morgan has now revealed the Eva GT at the automotive droolfest otherwise known as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The demurely named Eva breaks with Morgan traditions in that it offers seating for four occupants and their luggage (at least according to the company's claims) and also new is the fact that its propulsion comes from a high-tech BMW-sourced twin-turbo six-cylinder engine (rather than the customary V8).

The British-based sportscar specialist says the slinky, low-slung coupe -- which ditches the marque's familiar olde-worlde styling -- will go into production from 2012, and pricing is tipped to fall in the $125-150k bracket (ex-UK), which strikes us as rather good value.

Although its looks are a fairly radical departure from Morgan's existing offerings, the Eva GT is underpinned by an evolution of the lightweight bonded aluminium chassis used by the Aero Supersports.

Helping keep kerb weight down to a waiflike 1250kg are aviation-inspired superformed aluminium body panels, which have been sensuously sculpted to endow the Eva with classic long-bonnet-short-tail proportions.

The newcomer is about half a metre longer than the 4.2m Aeromax, which is ostensibly how the extra room has been eked out to accommodate four occupants.

The BMW-built 3.0-litre twin-turbo six pumps out 225kW and 400Nm and meets Euro6 emissions regulations, but of more interest is the fact that it allegedly enables the Eva GT to sprint to 100km/h in around 4.5sec and achieve a v-max of 270km/h-plus.

Despite the supercar-threatening performance, fuel consumption is said to be as frugal as 7.0L/100km. Transmission choices will include a six-speed manual or auto, but no word on BMW's excellent dual-clutch sequential DCT transmission.

The Eva GT will be technical tour de force by Morgan's standards, with standard kit expected to include anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, xenon headlights, satnav and the latest-gen multi-stage airbags.

Company boss Charles Morgan was quoted by UK's Autocar magazine as saying: "It's intended to be capable as serving as everyday family transport as well as a luxury GT. The rear seats will be comfortable for children and small adults, and should serve for occasional use for taller occupants."

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