When BMW met Morgan
Photographer: Matt Jennings
This year is the 25th anniversary of Morgan and BMW’s technical partnership, a relationship that began with the launch of the Aero 8 in 2000 and has continued across decades, delivering some of the most significant Morgan sports cars in the company’s 116 year history. To mark the anniversary and to celebrate the continued partnership, Morgan has brought together 14 of the most significant and character-defining BMW-powered Morgan vehicles from the past quarter of a century, uniting them for the first time in a single, evocative gathering.
From the very first Aero 8, revealed at the Geneva International Motor Show in 2000, to Morgan’s recently introduced flagship, Supersport, this curated line-up charts a journey of technical progress, collaborative engineering, and shared ambition. Alongside these two landmark models sit a number of key BMW-powered Morgan sports cars – each representing a moment of evolution in performance, efficiency, and dynamic capability.
The 14-car line-up showcases almost every BMW powertrain to have featured in a Morgan over the past 25 years. Beginning with the 4.4-litre M62 V8 as used in the first-generation Aero 8 and continuing with the 4.4-litre N62 V8 that powered Aero 8 Series 2 and Series 3 models, as well as the distinctive AeroMax – pictured in the line-up. The final chapter in Morgan’s 50-year V8 story also features in the display, the 4.8-litre BMW N62, used in the final Aero models and Plus 8. This engine made its final appearance in core production with the last Plus 8 to be built at Pickersleigh Road, finished in 2018 and featured in the display, before bowing out entirely with the final V8-powered Morgan sports cars, a run of nine motorsport-inspired Plus 8 GTRs produced in 2021 – commission six of nine is pictured in the display.
The CX-T project is rooted in Morgan’s trialling success and takes inspiration from the incredible journeys that Morgan owners have embarked on over the last 100 years. It celebrates the spirit of adventure that has been prevalent in the Morgan marque since HFS Morgan’s first journey in the Runabout.
The BMW B58 engine also powers Midsummer, Morgan’s coachbuilt barchetta revealed in May 2024 and designed in collaboration with Pininfarina. Midsummer marks a shared focus on design integrity and coachbuilding expertise between the two companies, expressed through its sculptural form and exposed, teak-surrounded cockpit. In this application, the refinement and responsiveness of the BMW inline-six complement the car’s open driving environment, supporting a visceral and highly connected driving experience.
A 2020 Plus Four race car operates in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton’s School of Engineering and racing team. This collaboration supports the development of future motorsport engineers and provides a valuable test-bed for the evaluation of production components.
The Plus 8 50th edition. The final chapter in Morgan’s 50-year V8 story also features in the display, the 4.8-litre BMW N62B48, used in the final Aero models and Plus 8. This engine made its final appearance in core production with the last Plus 8 to be built at Pickersleigh Road, finished in 2018.
The Plus 8 GTR. The final V8-powered Morgan sports cars, a run of nine motorsport-inspired Plus 8 GTRs produced in 2021 – commission six of nine is pictured in the display. Read and watch and, most importantly, hear this incredible car here
Aero GT – a very limited series of 8, this car features the thunderous 4.8l, 362bhp N62B48
As the latest in a 75-year lineage of four-cylinder engines to power the Plus Four, the BMW B48 delivers an understated, effortless performance that feels perfectly attuned to the car’s character. The engine’s responsive yet composed nature allows Plus Four drivers to create lasting memories whether driving spiritedly along winding B-roads or enjoying the quiet pleasures of slow motoring.
BMW engines powered the early Aero 8 GT racing programme, including entries at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and campaigns in the FIA GT3 European Championship. Representing this era in the display is Morgan’s 2004 Aero 8 LMGT Le Mans entry.
The latest in the lineup is Morgan’s flagship, Supersport, revealed in March 2025. Supersport ushers in a new design language for Morgan, presenting a contemporary study of the brand’s timeless silhouette, yet one that is instantly recognisable as a Morgan. Powered by the 3.0-litre BMW B58 six-cylinder engine and paired with the improved CXV platform, Supersport represents the most dynamically capable Morgan to date.
The Plus Four Geneva motorshow car – the first Plus Four to feature the B48 2-litre four cylinder engine. Built on the bonded and rivited aluminium chassis introduced the previous year in the Plus Six, this particular Plus Four was due to be launched at the ill-fated Geneva Motorshow. The covid-19 pandemic forced the show to be closed, but the car was on the stand ready to go. So, a sharp exit from the show and a quick drive back to Malvern allowed Morgan to reveal the car to the world from the factory instead.
The AeroMax. Designed by then chief designer Matthew Humphries, the AeroMax was named after Charles Morgan’s son. A limited run of around 100 vehicles, this art-deco inspired sports car is an iconic masterpiece.
The full list of BMW powered Morgan vehicles:
Aero 8 – series 1 (2000-2004)
Aero 8 GTN (2004)
Aero 8 – series 2 (2004-2005)
Aero 8 – series 3 (2005-2007)
Aero 8 – series 4 (2007-2010)
AeroMax (2005, 2008-2010)
Plus 8 (2012-2019)
Aero 8 – series 5 (2016-2018)
Aero SuperSports (21009-2016)
Aero Coupe (2012-2016)
Plus 8 50th (2018)
Aero GT (2018-2019)
Plus Four (2020-current)
Plus Six (2019-2025)
Plus 8 GTR (2021)
CX-T (2021)
Misdummer (2023-2024)
Supersport (2025-current)
BMW powertrains have helped define Morgan’s modern dynamic identity – delivering engaging and responsive performance, enabling Morgan to continue its unique approach to coachbuilding modern sports cars. As Morgan looks ahead, the extension of this partnership provides a strong and stable technical foundation, ensuring that future Morgan models continue to deliver ultimate driving joy for years to come.
