Morgan to celebrate centennial with Aeromax SuperSports debut at Villa d'Este debut

Ahead of its debut at this weekend's gorgeousness that is the Villa d'Este "Carnival of the Rich," British stalwart Morgan is previewing its new Aero Super Sports, its latest aluminum-chassis'd roadster.

Like some of its more recent siblings, the limited-edition roadster will once again make use of BMW power, in this case, Bimmer's 4.8-liter V8 paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission (power figures are not being disclosed at this time).

Its curvaceous bodywork features a two-panel detachable roof arrangement, giving both the feel of a hardtop coupe or a convertible (the panels fit in the trunk), and the interior is loaded with the expected quantities of hand-stitched hides and polished timber.

Slated for production in 2010, the Super Sports is "anticipated to cost around £127,000 including VAT" (around $187k USD), although you'll want to queue quickly with a £25,000 (@ $37k) check in hand as a deposit for this centennial special. High-res gallery below, official press release after the jump.

[Source: Morgan]

PRESS RELEASE:

April 2009
For immediate release

Morgan Aero SuperSports

Throughout 2009 the Morgan Motor Company is celebrating one hundred years of continuous manufacture of motorcars. The company has remained in one family's ownership since the founder HFS Morgan made his first car in 1909.

As part of the Centenary celebrations Morgan announces a truly special model.

Designed and engineered in house, the Morgan Aero SuperSports is a lightweight aluminium sports car with a luxurious specification. The interior features a comfortable combination of polished hardwoods, hand stitched leather and electronic technology to create a driving environment that is efficient, ergonomic and sumptuous. In spite of all this opulence the overall weight of the car is still minimal so the car is responsive to driver inputs and economical to run. The unique way Morgan can achieve this is down to our use of aircraft style superformed aluminium outer panels and the skills of our craftsmen to hand finish the assembly of each car.

This technology debuted in the 100 AeroMax coupes built by the factory in 2008 and 2009.

Such was demand for this model, that Morgan have taken the decision to produce the Morgan Aero SuperSports. A limited edition, the car makes use of two aluminium detachable roof panels. These can either turn the car effectively in to a coupe or when detached bring fresh air and the aromas of the seasons to the driving experience without undue wind disturbance to spoil the journey. The panels can be stored conveniently in the boot.

The car of course benefits from the lightweight aluminium Aero chassis which is adhesively bonded for class leading rigidity. Exceeding global crash protection standards, this is also the platform used by the Morgan Aero Eight GT3 currently competing successfully in the 2009 International FIA GT3 Championship. This chassis combined with the aluminium 4.8 litre BMW V8 engine and a choice of 6 speed automatic or manual gearboxes offers an unrivalled driving experience. No other automatic car offers such dynamic power transmission.

Drawn by Matthew Humphries, and engineered for production by the experienced "Morgan Design" team, the new Aero Super Sports is due to enter production in early 2010. A deposit of £25,000 is required to ensure the supply of one of these exciting new models. It is anticipated to cost around £127,000 including VAT.

Charles Morgan, Grandson of the founder said " The Morgan Aero SuperSports is a luxurious flamboyant sports car which also remains true to Morgan's philosophy of lightweight minimalist simplicity. It is a celebration of our love of cars and the romance of travel and is a fitting model to announce during Morgan's Centenary year."