The Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 is finally here, and the famed automotive engineer’s latest creation is quite a machine. It weighs a mere 2,174 pounds (986 kilograms) while packing a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre V12 making 654 horsepower (488 kilowatts) and 344 pound-feet (467 Newton-meters) of torque. As if these numbers aren’t impressive enough, there’s a fan at the back, sucking the vehicle to the road.
From the front, it’s hard not to see the resemblance to the McLaren F1 – another Gordon Murray project. Both models share a low-slung nose with smooth styling and narrow inlets in the corners. An expansive, rounded windshield, large windows in the doors, and clear panels in the roof create an airy greenhouse. A subtle scoop in the roof directs air to the V12, and the clear portions of the gullwing-opening rear panel offer just a peek at the inboard suspension.
Both the chassis and body are carbon fibre, and the components are incredibly lightweight. Gordon Murray Automotive claims the monocoque and exterior panels weigh less than 331 pounds (150 kilograms).
The 15.75-inch (400-millimetre) rear-mounted fan is among the T.50’s most fascinating features. The piece spins at up to 7,000 rpm and runs on a 48-volt electric motor. It works with the active rear spoilers and diffusers to increase downforce by 50% in normal driving or by 100% in its Braking mode. The system also functions as ram-air induction for the engine to increase the powerplant’s output by around 49 hp (37 kW).
It’s worth noting that T.50’s performance and tech come in a compact footprint. At 171.34 inches (4,352 millimetres) long, the vehicle is just over an inch shorter than a Porsche 718 Cayman at 172.4 inches (4,379 millimetres). As a further comparison, a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 is 182.3 inches (4,630 millimetres) long.
The engine is a bespoke unit from Cosworth and Gordon Murray Automotive and has a redline of 12,100 revs. At 392 pounds, the company claims this is the lightest road-going V12 ever. The powerplant displaces 3,994 cubic centimetres, although in the announcement the automaker refers to it as a 3.9-litre mill.
The engine runs through a six-speed manual gearbox. During development, the company paid special attention to making sure it had an ideally light and crisp feeling when snicking the gear shift through the cogs.
The cabin evokes the F1 by having the driver sit in the centre and the two occupants flanking the pilot. The important controls are on pods on each side of the steering wheel.
For the perfect fit, each buyer gets to meet with Gordon Murray Automotive to have the position for the seat, steering wheel, and pedals tailored to the person’s wants.
- Source: Gordon Murray Automotive