Gordon Murray’s Spiritual Successor to the McLaren F1

The T.50 is Gordon Murray’s spiritual successor to the McLaren F1 – the epoch-defining supercar of the 1990s. His vision was to perfect the few areas of the F1 that he wasn’t completely happy with the first time around, while also taking advantage of three decades’ worth of advances in materials and technology. The goal? To “design and engineer the most driver-centric supercar ever built.”

A Supercar That Lives Up to the Hype

The T.50 is the result, and glowing reviews from Top Gear and Henry Catchpole of Hagerty indicate that Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) has fully delivered on that promise. The 2024 Gordon Murray T.50 has been hailed as a masterpiece of engineering and performance, praised for its balance, responsiveness, and purist design.

The Most Advanced V12 Ever Built

At the heart of the T.50 is a Cosworth-developed 4.0-litre V12 engine – the lightest in the world at just 178kg, and the highest-revving, reaching 12,100rpm. The T.50’s engine produces 166bhp per litre, making it the most power-dense naturally aspirated V12 ever fitted to a road car.

This engine isn’t just powerful – it’s incredibly responsive. It can reach the rev limiter from idle in a mind-blowing three-tenths of a second. It also develops 353lb ft of torque, with 71 percent available from just 2500rpm.

Paired with a Lightweight Six-Speed Manual Gearbox

The engine is mated to an extremely light, Xtrac-built six-speed manual gearbox, designed to complement the car’s lightweight ethos. Weighing just 997kg, the T.50 is about a third lighter than most of its competitors, a feat that significantly enhances its handling and agility.

Aerodynamics Inspired by Formula 1

The T.50 features advanced aerodynamics that set it apart from other supercars. A ground-effect fan, inspired by Murray’s Brabham BT46B Formula 1 car, boosts downforce, improving grip and stability at high speeds.

A Driver-Focused Interior

Inside, the T.50 is all about driver engagement. It features three seats, with the central driver’s seat weighing just 13kg thanks to its carbon fibre construction. The interior design is a study in minimalist precision, with beautifully crafted pedals, a gear lever, and a gearchange mechanism that epitomise Murray’s unique blend of engineering and art.

The Pure Driving Experience

Performance figures aside, the T.50 is all about the driving experience. From the centrally mounted steering wheel, the car connects you directly to the road, delivering an unfiltered, visceral experience. It’s this feeling – this sense of being alive and at one with the machine – that sets the T.50 apart from its rivals, many of which rely on layers of technology to deliver performance.

Every Car Is Bespoke

Every one of the 100 cars to be produced is bespoke, making each T.50 unique. For instance, Chassis 11, which I photoed at the Concours of Elegance 2024, boasts a distinctive Goodwood blue exterior, with an interior trimmed in Athol Blue Alcantara and a Gordon Murray Heritage Orange leather centre seat.

The Last Great Analogue Supercar

As Ollie Marriage, head of car testing at Top Gear, puts it: “The last great analogue supercar – that’s the promise Gordon Murray made, and he’s held up his end of the deal in stunning fashion. With the electric era upon us, we can’t see anything coming along to usurp it. So let’s call it: it will never get better than this.”

Technical Specifications

Engine – 3994cc/V12/naturally aspirated/DOHC

Transmission – Six-speed manual, RWD

Power – 661bhp

Torque – 353lb ft

Top Speed – 226mph

0-62mph – 2.8 seconds

Weight – 997kg (dry)

I would so love to drive this car. The rear end looks like no other supercar/ hypercar, with it’s fan, and is sounds great. What do you think of this car? This car really caught my attention and made it into my top 10 cars at the 2024 Concours of Elegance. Check out that top 10 here.

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