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Gordon Murray Automotive has unveiled its T.50 supercar in full for the first time, showing the finished exterior and interior design and
confirming its ground-breaking technical specifications. The T.50 has been engineered to be the purest, lightest, most driver-centric supercar ever.
Improving on his acclaimed McLaren F1 “in every conceivable way”, Professor Gordon Murray CBE is leading the team that will begin building customer versions of the 986kg supercar in January 2022. Justifying its £2.36m (before taxes) price tag, the T.50 promises to deliver an unsurpassed driving experience. It is powered by a 100% bespoke 3.9-litre, 663PS V12 engine that revs to a record-breaking 12,100rpm, and features the most advanced and effective aerodynamics ever seen on a
road car – aided by a 400mm rear-mounted fan.
The global premiere is the first time the clean lines of the exterior
and the driver-focused interior have been seen. From his first ballpoint sketches, to every engineering and design detail, Murray has led the Gordon Murray Automotive team and briefed and overseen suppliers to drive the project forward at an unrelenting pace.
Murray’s design for T.50 was the 50th in a prestigious line of race and road cars he’s penned over his illustrious 50-year career – both reasons combining to name the car T.50.
The most dominant characteristics of the T.50 exterior design are its
purity and balance, free from the wings, skirts and vents that adorn
most modern-day supercars. The clean surfaces are enabled by the most advanced and effective aerodynamics ever seen on a road car, resulting in deliberately simple, beautiful lines and a timeless appearance.
The purity of the silhouette is broken dramatically when the pair of dihedral doors rise up and forwards, coming to rest high above the passenger cabin. Inside, the driver-centric approach is plain to see – from the central, jet fighter-like driving position, to the
aerospace-grade primary and secondary controls arranged in an
‘ergonomic bubble’ around the driver.
Quality of materials, the utmost precision, and simplicity of visuals
define the whole car, but nowhere is this more evident than inside the
cockpit. British suppliers are responsible for every major component
throughout the interior, as well as every facet of the car’s
exquisitely-engineered underpinnings – an attribute insisted upon by
Murray who was determined the T.50 would be a true British sports car.
From the record-breaking V12 engine, and best lightweight transmission,
to the world-first aerodynamic package and the feather-light titanium
throttle pedal, every element is 100% bespoke and crafted by a British
company that leads in its field. Murray pushed each supplier to their
limits to deliver ingenuity, the highest quality and of course new
levels of lightness.
With a vision that the car, and every element of its componentry, would
be considered ‘engineering art’, Murray set out to create a vehicle
that surpassed all others, fostering new levels of pride and connection
among owners. Every T.50 customer has the opportunity to meet Murray to
discuss their car and personalise it inside and out. Part of this
process includes a seat, steering wheel and pedals ‘fitting’ session
– personalised to every owner – that will ensure the T.50 is
ergonomically perfect and individualised for each discerning customer.
_Murray: “Just 100 customers will share my vision, a car created to
improve on the F1 formula in every conceivable way. With 30 years of
technological and systems advancement, now, the time is right to design
the greatest analogue driver’s car. I believe no other company could
deliver what we will bring to market in 2022, producing this British
supercar will be my proudest moment.”_
The T.50 mission – Driving perfection
_Murray: “From the first touch of the titanium throttle pedal to the
V12 screaming at 12,100rpm, the driver experience will surpass any
supercar ever built. No other road car can deliver the package of power,
instant responsiveness and driver feedback in such a direct and focused
way while remaining comfortable, refined and usable every day.”_
At the heart of T.50 ethos is the ultimate, sensory-rich driving
experience, which all starts with the central driving position. The
‘jet-fighter’ style seating position affords an unhindered view out
of the cabin, offering the type of pure driving experience usually
associated with a single-seater race car layout.
Murray insists that the engine contributes to at least 50% of a great
driving experience. With this in mind, Murray set out to create the
greatest ever V12. The bespoke Cosworth GMA unit hits the mark as the
world’s highest revving, fastest responding, most power dense, and
lightest road-going V12. In terms of aural enjoyment, the T.50 raucous
12,100rpm redline will certainly deliver on wow-factor. The car also
features Direct Path Induction Sound – a system pioneered on the
McLaren F1 and refined on the T.50 to channel the sound of the
throttle-induced induction growl into the cabin.
A cold-air ram induction intake sits immediately above the driver’s
head, and carefully crafted carbon fibre panels in the roof act as a
loudspeaker, amplifying engine sound within the cabin. The system is
actuated by throttle angle and not revs, meaning the T.50 is quiet and
refined on part throttle, growing louder as the throttle opens.
Inside the cabin, all of the T.50’s ergonomically-placed analogue
controls are beautifully weighted. From communicative steering, which
delivers pinpoint accuracy, to the weighting of the six-speed manual
transmission and titanium throttle pedal, the engineering focus has
always been on driving perfection.
During testing, the manual H-pattern gearchange motion and weighting was
honed meticulously. Signed-off personally by Murray, the T.50 provides
‘the ultimate gearchange’ – a tactile short throw with a narrow
cross gate for smooth, crisp, satisfying gearchanges.
The T.50’s kerb weight of 986kg makes it the lightest supercar of the
modern era, lower than the average supercar weight by almost a third.
Thanks to the focus on lightweighting, the car offers unparalleled
levels of agility, responsiveness and driver focus. The T.50 is a car
that is created to be ‘alive’ at normal road speeds, not only when
the revs climb past 10,000rpm. It will entertain and engage on low-speed
daily trips, as well as when driving on the open road just for the
thrill of it.
With minimal interference from driver aids the driving experience is
left to shine – importantly, ESP and traction control, can be disabled
entirely. The technologies that do influence performance – for
example, the six aero modes enabled through active and interactive
fan-assisted aerodynamics – enhance rather than numb the drive
experience. The 400mm rear-mounted fan expands the car’s performance
capabilities significantly versus an ordinary ground-effect supercar. In
partnership with the active rear spoilers and interactive diffusers, the
fan helps to increase downforce by 50% (in Braking Mode 100% more
downforce is generated); reduce drag by 12.5%; add around 50PS to the
car’s output, in combination with ram-air induction; and cut braking
distance by 10m from 150mph.
Sitting prominently at the rear of the car, the fan is just one example
of ‘engineering art’ on the T.50. Another, about which Murray feels
passionately, is the engine. Murray detests carbon or plastic engine
covers so, upon raising the twin gullwing openings that span the rear
half of the car, the Cosworth GMA V12 engine sits proudly on display
with its cam covers, primary exhaust manifolds and inlet trumpets all
taking centre stage.
It is Murray’s pride in perfection that has shaped every facet of the
T.50. Calling the exterior styling “a return to beauty” the clean
lines and visual balance seek to deliver a timeless design that will
help the T.50 age gracefully, a fresh and lasting celebration of
motoring engineering – the ultimate analogue supercar.
Commenting on the journey so far, Murray said: “For the past 18
months, the T.50 team has lived and breathed the ethos of the car,
accomplishing everything we set out to achieve and more. I couldn’t be
happier with the car and the team – they’re by far the best I’ve
ever worked with.”
T.50 supercar – key details
Focal point for every T.50 decision: _The driver_
T.50 is the most driver-centric supercar ever made. From the driver’s
position right in the middle of the car, to the placement of controls,
the sound of the engine, and the responsiveness of the throttle.
Overview
* T.50 breaks from performance-car convention, weighing significantly
less than any other current supercar and delivering an unrivalled
driving experience
* Gordon Murray Automotive is not chasing power or top speed figures
* Its engine is designed to deliver optimum performance, not to hit
prescribed power, speed or acceleration target
* It has the most advanced and effective aerodynamics of any road car
* Non-committee-based vision and control enables purity of decision
making
* Purity of design – no unsightly flaps / vents / wings
* Daily usability – comfort for three passengers with good luggage
space, day-to-day refinement and practicality
Key points – Detail
* From January 2022, 100 exclusive customer cars will be built at
Gordon Murray Automotive’s production site in the UK
* Price: £2.36m (before taxes)
* As the 50th distinct design by Professor Gordon Murray, CBE, the
T.50 also celebrates Murray’s 50-year long career
* A true British supercar
* All engineering, design and styling is by Gordon Murray Design
* Powertrain, body, and chassis will all be made in the UK
* All major components are UK-sourced
Chassis and body
* Chassis and body constructed from high-grade carbon fibre
* Carbon tub monocoque provides exceptional stiffness and torsional
rigidity
* Carbon fibre body panels ensure lightness – total body including
monocoque weighs less than 150kg
* Monocoque construction and F1-style ‘passenger safety cell’
provides exceptional occupant safety protection
* Glazing is 28% thinner than typical glass delivering valuable weight
saving
Aerodynamics
* The most advanced aerodynamics of any road car
* Unique 400mm ground-effect fan combines with active underbody
aerodynamics and two dynamic rear spoilers to aid performance and help
deliver an unrivalled driving experience
* Six aero modes enable driver to optimise dynamic and outright
performance
* Auto / High downforce / Streamline / Braking / Test / V-Max Boost
* Streamline Mode – creates a ‘virtual longtail’
* V-Max Boost Mode and ram induction raise T.50 output to 700PS
Design
* Design combines purity and drama
* No unsightly vents, ducts, or flaps due to intelligent aerodynamic
design
* Striking dihedral doors deliver drama alongside practicality for
easy access
* Engineering art features throughout the car
Engine
* 100% bespoke 3.9-litre V12 Cosworth GMA engine
* Power: 663PS @ 11,500rpm
* Torque: 467Nm @ 9,000rpm (71% of max torque available from 2,500rpm)
* The highest-revving naturally-aspirated road car engine ever
(12,100rpm)
* Most-responsive naturally-aspirated engine ever (28,400 revs per
second pick-up)
* The most power-dense naturally-aspirated engine ever
(166PS-per-litre)
* The lightest road-going V12 ever = 178kg
* The best V12 sound ever
* Engine fully on show beneath gullwing-opening ‘viewing gallery’
Transmission
* Xtrac manual H-pattern six-speed transmission
* Five close ratios, geared for acceleration, with a longer sixth
ratio for cruising
* Casing engineered from aluminium, cast at just 2.4mm thickness
* Lightweight gearbox weighs just 80.5kg
Vehicle dynamics and lightweighting
* Total vehicle weight just 986kg – Almost a third lighter than a
typical supercar (approx. 1,436kg). Dry weight 957kg
* Weight-to-power = 150.77kg per 100PS (typical supercar = 210kg per
100PS)
* Power-to-weight = 672PS/tonne (or >700PS/tonne with V-Max Boost Mode
and ram induction)
* Forged aluminium double wishbone suspension, with forged aluminium
uprights
* Simple rack and pinion steering setup engineered for driving purity
with low-speed power assistance (LSPA)
* Semi-structural engine and transmission saves weight while retaining
refinement
* Lightweight bearing carriers and hubs with one locking nut reduce
un-sprung mass
* Brembo calipers and carbon ceramic discs for ultimate stopping power
and braking feel
Interior
* Jet fighter-style central driving position ensures optimal
visibility, balance and a totally-immersive driving experience
* Driver-centric controls
* Well-appointed, comfortable, refined
* Premium audio sound system – 10 speakers, 700W (nominal)
* Android Auto / Apple CarPlay with Bluetooth phone connectivity
Everyday usability and analogue features
* Comfortable seating for three adults
* Easy ingress and egress
* Class-leading, usable luggage space – up to 288 litres
* Refined cabin environment
* 120mm front and 140mm rear ride heights for practical everyday use
* Incredibly compact footprint – comparable to a Porsche Boxster
* Analogue rev counter and minimal controls / no column stalks or
touchscreens
* No turbos, no hybrid – just an exquisitely engineered V12 engine
* ‘GT mode’ engine map for improved day to day drivability
