MALVERN-based motoring company Morgan has launched its most expensive car ever in celebration of its success in a national racing championship.

The company, in Pickersleigh Road, Malvern Link, is manufacturing just 15 of the limited edition Aero 8 GT Coupes, retailing at £72,500.

The car is being hand-built in conjunction with Aero Racing, which shares the same premises and is owned by several members of the Morgan family.

It marks the success of the Morgan Aero 8 GT in this year's British GT Cup Class Championship - with the cars coming second and third in the competition.

The limited edition version is based on the racing model and has several modifications on the original Aero 8, of which 300 have been manufactured since it was released in September 2001.

The modifications include a bigger engine, a hard-top roof and alterations to the bodywork.

The new model is the same colour as the second-placed Aero 8 GT in the British championships, with a dark blue top and silver metallic wings.

Ten of the 15 cars have already been reserved.

"The race car is brilliant and has done remarkably well in its first year," said sales and marketing director Matthew Parkin.

"This limited edition model is a fabulous-looking car and very much a collector's piece."

As with the standard Aero 8, which costs £58,500, the GT Coupe is not available in America, although an American version is being launched next year.