Robb Report: The Morgan Aero 8 will "outpace a Porsche 911 Turbo"

The October issue of the Robb Report (p. 66) has an article about the new <a href="http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/sales/aero8.html" target="_blank">Morgan Aero 8</a> that is scheduled to make its American debut in early 2004. According to the Robb Report, the Aero 8 will "outpace a Porsche 911 Turbo." The following is the full quote: "The combination of low weight (approximately 2,400 pounds) and serious horsepower (290 hp) gives the Aero 8, which is powered by a BMW 4.4-liter V-8, enough shove to outpace a Porsche 911 Turbo." Them be fighting words! The Robb Report goes on the state that "the Morgan Aero 8 looks odd, handles testily, is impractical," and "the 6-speed gear box is about as precise as spiritual advice from a Buddhist monk." With all due respect to the Robb Report, I think they over-extended themselves a bit by suggesting that the 290 hp Aero 8, even at 2400 lbs, can "outpace" the 996TT. <a href="http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/index_frames.html" target="_blank">Morgan Web Site</a> Craig (L.A.)

[quote]Originally posted by Craig in LA: <strong>With all due respect to the Robb Report, I think they over-extended themselves a bit by suggesting that the 290 hp Aero 8, even at 2400 lbs, can "outpace" the 996TT.</strong><hr></blockquote> Do you know that for a fact or are you saying it because you have a Turbo and don't think anything else can beat it? It is not unusual for a car that is substantially lighter than the Turbo, even with over 100 HP less, to outpace it.

I do not operate under the false illusion that the 996TT is the fastest car on the road. To the contrary, I am well aware that faster cars exist. The basis for my hypothesis, and it is nothing more than that, is that I don't think a 290 hp engine, even with 1000 less pounds to carry, will "outpace" a Porsche 420 hp engine. For example, the Boxter S, which weighs only 400 lbs more than the Aero 8, and produces only 40 hp less, does not come close to "outpacing" the turbo. After typing the above, I did some research on <a href="http://autozine.kyul.net/Main_Menu.htm" target="_blank">AutoZine</a>. The Morgan Aero 8 does 0-60 in 4.8 and 0-100 in 11.7. Both admirable numbers. However, the 996TT does the same sprints in 3.9 and 9.4 (also according to AutoZine). Thus, it appears that the 996TT clearly "outpaces" the Morgan Aero 8. <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" /> <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" /> Craig (L.A.)

The ROBB Report? <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> Consider the source, as they say. (Actually, I always thought that name refered to the cover price.) M in C

You can see from my signature that I have a Morgan -- a '71 Plus 8. My guess is that the Robb report article is referring to in-gear acceleration, such as 50 - 70 in 5th or 6th gear. I remember seeing these figures for the Aero 8 somewhere (perhaps Autocar), and they were truly excellent. The Aero 8 not only weighs 400 lbs less than the Boxster S, but it has 324 lb/ft of torque, which is in a different league from the Boxster S. Your TT will outdrag the Aero 8 if you use the gears, but the big V8 combined with 1000 fewer pounds is VERY flexible and effective. Most of the Aero 8 press praises the handling, and the BMW 6 spd box is usually praised as well. I just wish Morgan put the Aero 8 chassis and driveline under the old, gorgeous body.