2012 Mortan Aero Coupe Photos, engines & full specs

Morgan was one of the last British car manufacturers still standing. For most of its history, it produced cars based on ash wood chassis and open tops. But the 2012 Aero Coupe was a completely new chapter in the carmaker's book.

There were new regulations regarding people's safety onboard vehicles that Morgan couldn't surpass. Moreover, to access specific markets, it had to have vehicles built on anything else suitable than wood. While there were discussions about using carbon fiber or Kevlar, the final decision favored aluminum. And that formed the base for the 2012 Aero Coupe.

After building roadsters for more than seven decades, Morgan announced the closed-top version of the Aero 8 in 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show. The vehicle was a delightful mix of old-school craftsmanship and new-edge technology. Moreover, the powerplant was modern, and the lightweight construction allowed the vehicle to threaten famous other European GT vehicles. Still, since the car was hand-assembled from zero, the car manufacturer was unable to produce the Aero Coupe in large quantities. The vehicle's design combined the curved, ample lines of the British roadsters from the '30s and '40s with new technologies, such as the headlights that were carried over from Mini. In order to look great from the front, the headlamps had to be mounted on the inner side of the large fenders, towards the V-shaped engine compartment, and the result was not the most pleasant in the industry. From its profile, the automaker installed a set of vents behind the front wheel arches followed by the side sills, which incorporated the exhausts. At the back, the rear fenders were also wider than the rest of the bodywork, creating a muscular appearance for the Aero Coupe. Unlike most of its siblings, the car featured a closed cabin with a raked windshield, and a curved roof sloped down towards the end of the vehicle. At the back, Morgan installed slim and tall taillights that followed the rear quarter panels' edge. To pass the safety tests but still keep the car's beauty, the automaker concealed the bumper behind the rear fascia.

Inside, Morgan installed a flat dash panel with two large dials in front of the driver flanked by two gauges. The high-bolstered sports seats at the front were separated by a tall center console, which housed the gear selector and the hand brake. For a modern approach, the leather-wrapped cabin was adorned with several chromed trims around the dials, buttons, and door handles.

Morgan installed a powerful V8 engine supplied by BMW together with the gearbox. As a result, the British automaker didn't have to worry about emission tests. Since it made the Aero Coupe for enthusiasts, it paired the engine with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic that sent the power to the rear wheels.