THE most powerful car ever produced by Morgan has been completed at the company's workshops in Malvern, Worcestershire, as one of nine special edition models.

The Plus 8 GTR is powered by a 4.8-litre BMW V8 engine tuned to deliver 375bhp - 13 horses more than the 362 of the power units original fitted to the aero chassis Plus 8.

The remaining eight cars are all in production, with several finishing build before the end of 2021 and the remainder being completed in the first quarter of 2022.

Each buyer has worked closely with Morgan's design team to commission a bespoke example.

The nine cars are built in varying configurations of transmission and drive side according to customer requirements, with five of the eight vehicles being exported globally.

Steve Morris, chairman and chief executive of the Morgan Motor Company, said: "The Plus 8 GTR represents an opportunity for Morgan to celebrate the V8 engine once again, something we did not expect to do since finishing the Plus 8 and Aero 8 models in 2018.

"Striking design, the finest craftsmanship, and an exhilarating sports car to drive, the Plus 8 GTR is the perfect swansong to the Morgan V8."

The Plus 8 GTR has a high shoulder line not seen on a traditional Morgan body for decades. Its five-spoke centre-lock wheels are reminiscent of Morgan's 1990s Plus 8 race cars, framed by subtly re-sculpted wheel arches.

Further design elements include a revised rear end, front wings, and front splitter, all of which are hand crafted using aluminium. Fitment of a hard top with cockpit vent completes the race-inspired aesthetic.

The interior features new door cards to fit with the high door tops, bespoke GTR dials and the option of carbon fibre racing seats and harnesses.

Special graphics feature throughout and each GTR is fitted with a plaque denoting its number in the build sequence.

One design inspiration for the GTR was the Plus 8 race car that competed in the GT series throughout the late 1990s, more commonly known as ‘Big Blue'.

This car served as the testbed for Morgan's first bonded-aluminium chassis, which would go on to underpin the Aero 8 and Aero-chassis Plus 8 models.

The Plus 8 GTR is the second Morgan special project of 2021 and follows the Plus Four CX-T.