Gordon Murray, the man behind many a successful F1 car and the mighty McLaren F1 supercar has been busy... announcing his innovative super lightweight T.50..
Believe it or not it was over 25 years since the mighty Murray designed McLaren F1 broke cover to the world media - at the time the most innovative supercar to grace the roads, showcasing a design philosophy that pretty much defined the world of performance supercars for the next decade.
Having since branched out into many different forms of design, Murray is back once again with a follow-up to that outstanding machine - announcing the super limited edition T.50 that Murray claims will be "the purest, lightest, most driver-focused supercar ever". A pretty big claim, but not one without substance it seems.
Professor Gordon Murray CBE, Chairman of Gordon Murray Group, said:
"An unflinching dedication to lightweighting, highly-advanced active aerodynamics and world-leading standards of advanced engineering will ensure the T.50 rewrites the supercar rulebook. Our experienced team is applying the same uncompromising approach to design and engineering that shaped every facet of the F1, and they are able to deliver substantial improvements over that car in every meaningful way".
Clearly using the original F1 as a design base for the new T.50 model, Murray and his team at Gordon Murray Design have basically looked at every aspect of the original car and improved up it to such a degree that the new machine is set to be a full 1/3 lighter than the average supercar, something that Murray believes is a key ingredient towards making the ultimate drivers experience behind the wheel.
The T.50 breaks from performance-car convention, just as the F1 did in 1992. It weighs significantly less than any other current supercar. It has the most advanced aerodynamics of any road car, and it relies on design and engineering excellence to deliver the purest, most driver-focused performance and dynamics of any road car since the F1.
It will be powered by a compact and light, naturally-aspirated, all-new V12 engine. The unit will be capable of an extraordinary 12,100rpm,, unparalleled in a V12 road car, and 650hp to deliver unmatched power-to-weight.
Despite these impressive figures, Murray isn't interested in producing the fastest road car in the world, with the focus of the team firmly behind creating an immersive and exciting driving experience.
"I have absolutely no interest in chasing records for top speed or acceleration. Our focus is instead on delivering the purest, most rewarding driving experience of any supercar ever built, but, rest assured, it will be quick" added Murray.
Sticking with the three-seat central driving position format of the original F1, the new car will still be familiar to cognisors of supercar history. Designed and built in the UK, and sourcing all components from UK based companies, this is certainly a testament to what the British motorcar industry is capable of - the home of many modern Formula One teams.
Key Features:
Designed to the same exacting engineering standards as the driver-focused McLaren F1; improves upon its iconic predecessor in every way
Mid-engine and rear-wheel-drive layout; famed central driving position and
H-pattern gearbox all key to a matchless experience behind the wheel
All-new V12 to be the highest-revving engine ever used in a production car; produces unrivalled power-to-weight
'Fan car'™ technology delivers the most advanced aerodynamics yet seen on a road car
Unique carbon fibre tub and a focus on minimising the weight of every component underpin lightweighting'™ strategy - overall weight is just 980kg
New model will set new standards for supercar packaging, providing driver and two passengers with exceptional comfort, safety, practicality and luggage space
Only 100 exclusive models to be produced costing in excess of £2m (before taxes); deliveries from early 2022.
Technical specifications
General
Body type Two doors, three seats, Grand Tourer Supercar
Engine Cosworth-GMA 3.9l 65° V12 N/A twin-cam
Weight 980kg
Length 4,380mm
Width 1,850mm
Motor and transmission
Type Naturally aspirated V12
Displacement 3,980cc
Layout Rear mid-engine
Maximum power 650hp
Maximum torque 450Nm
Valves Four valves per cylinder
Fuel system Petrol pfi aluminium fuel tank
Maximum engine revs 12,100rpm
Engine details / overview Dry sump lubrication
Variable valve timing
Highest-revving road car engine (no flywheel / lightweight clutch)
Structural chassis member
Ram-air induction system
Cutting-edge materials and coatings
All light alloy (including magnesium and titanium)
Transmission Bespoke lightweight six-speed transmission
Light alloy casing
Limited-slip differential
Lightweight clutch
Gun-drilled drive shafts
Chassis and body
Drive type Rear-wheel drive
Chassis Primary structure handmade sandwich-panel carbon monocoque, including semi-structural powertrain utilising high-modulus adhesive
Body Carbon composite panels
Occupant architecture Central driving position – three seats
Suspension and brakes
Front suspension Rod / operated rising rate; double wishbone; anti-roll bar
Rear suspension Rod / operated rising rate; double wishbone – inclined shear axis; powertrain mass damper
Brakes Carbon-ceramic discs
Aluminium floating disc bells
Monobloc light alloy calipers
Low boost assist / ABS
Steering
LSPA rack and pinion
Wheels
Forged light alloy
Aerodynamics
Active ground-effect with full-width diffuser and fan-assisted underbody airflow – brake balance foil
, I never thought I would see something like this ever again. Between this and the Valkyrie this is really the modern resurrection of the underground effect)
