Currently reading: Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary edition celebrates the end of V8-engined model

50-unit special edition will be revealed at Geneva in March to commemorate the end of the BMW V8-engined Plus 8, alongside the last Aero 8 edition

Morgan has announced that its Plus 8 will no longer be made with the 4.8-litre BMW V8 engine, commemorating the departure with a 50-unit, 50th Anniversary edition of the retro-styled sports car.

Set to be revealed at the Geneva motor show in March, the Plus 8 50th Anniversary Special Edition will be a more luxurious edition of the Plus 8, although the brand has revealed only small details of the car itself, with motorsport-inspired details and decals across the exterior. Each car will also be individually numbered.

The limited edition will be sold through Morgan’s dealer network, although the brand hasn’t yet revealed pricing. It’s likely to command a premium over the standard car’s £85,461 starting price, though.

The Plus 8 was reintroduced into the Morgan range in 2012, and since then has been atop the brand's lineup in terms of power-to-weight ratio; the light 1100kg kerb weight and 367bhp combining for a figure of 315bhp per tonne.

It was first introduced in 1968, and was produced until 2004, powered by a Rover V8. Over 6000 have been produced across the model's lifetime. 

Design boss Jon Wells said: “Each design detail of the Plus 8 50th has been considered to celebrate the Plus 8 and what it has meant to Morgan and its customers over the past 50 years. Overlooking the long wide bonnet sat directly on the rear axle, when driving a plus 8 you are very aware of, not just its soundtrack, but its significance and its capability. The design of this special final edition hopes to do both justice.”

Morgan’s staying tight-lipped about the special edition until its official launch at Geneva, alongside the Aero GT - the 8-unit run-out special edition of the Aero 8

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