First look: Morgan uncovers Eva GT

BRITAIN’S historic Morgan marque unveiled its sleek new Eva GT sportscar at Pebble Beach over the weekend, before production begins at its Malvern factory in mid-2012.

First revealed in silhouette in June, the four-seater Eva GT is a luxury two-door grand tourer based on a development of the same lightweight bonded aluminium chassis that underpins Morgan’s AeromaxSupersports.

Like the Aeromax, the Eva GT continues Morgan’s technical collaboration with BMW, which will donate its famed straight-six petrol engine for the first time and is wrapped in aircraft-style superformed aluminium body panels.

However, the Eva GT – the order book for which is now open ahead of first deliveries in 2012 – is also the first Morgan to offer seating for four passengers and their luggage, its proper two-plus-two cabin layout and generous boot making it more practical than any Aero-series model that precededs it.

The Morgan Motor Company says the Eva GT, which will be powered by BMW’s Euro 6 emissions-compatible direct-injection twin-turbo 225kW/400Nm inline petrol six, is designed to serve as both everyday family transport and luxury GT for weekend use, even if its rear seats were designed only for occasional adult use.

The Eva GT – which will be shorter and more affordable than the AeromaxSupersports at 4.7 metres long, 1.8 metres wide and 1.2 metres high – weighs just 1250kg but will come with electronic stability control, ABS brakes, Xenon headlights, satellite-navigation and multi-stage airbags.

Combined with either six-speed manual or (ZF) six-speed automatic transmissions, the Eva GT should be good for 0-100km/h acceleration in about 4.5 seconds, a 273km/h top speed, average fuel consumption of around 7.0L/100km and CO2 emissions of about 200g/km.

Morgan is now taking orders worldwide for an allocated build slot within a limited initial production run of 100 vehicles, with manufacture to commence in mid-2012.

Expect the rear-drive Eva GT, which also comes with four-wheel independent suspension, to be priced upwards of $200,000 - but below the $375,000 limited-edition Aero SuperSports flagship - by the time first deliveries take place here later in 2012.