Morgan teases GT3 racer-inspired Aero GT

Morgan has released three teaser pics and short video of a new motorsport-inspired version of its Aero 8 roadster.

The new model, called the Aero GT, is described by the small British car-maker as a "gloves off" version of the regular Aero 8.

Claimed to have a completely rethought aerodynamics package that's inspired by the Morgan GT3 race car, the GT features numerous changes to the regular road car.

These include fender grille vents to extract turbulent air from the front wheel-arches, deeper side skirts, larger brakes and wheels and near-competition rubber.

Beneath the Aero GT, the small BMW V8-powered sports car is said to come with a large underfloor diffuser, but there's no word on whether this will be joined by a large race car-style rear wing.

All the additional aero aids are designed to reduce drag over the current car while increasing downforce.

Thought to weigh less than the standard car's 1180kg (dry) kerb mass, the Aero GT comes with the same 370kW/490Nm 4.8-litre V8 as the standard car, combined with a six-speed manual gearbox.

That means the Aero GT will hit 100km/h in the same 4.5 seconds as the Aero 8 and top out at the same 273km/h – despite the best efforts of that low-drag body.

Morgan has confirmed it will make just eight Aero GTs and that the last batch of hard-core derivatives will signal the end of production for its flagship Aero 8.

As well as the end of the Aero 8, Morgan confirmed the GT will be the last of its production cars to use the BMW V8 as the naturally-aspirated 4.8-litre is no longer in production.

The Aero GT is set to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March and the British car-maker is expected to reveal its all-new Aero 8 replacement in late 2018.