The future Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 promises. The “father” of McLaren F1, Gordon Murray, shared with the world the achievement of yet another milestone in its development: the first wake-up of the 3.9 V12 developed by Cosworth.
Ever since we learned he was developing a new supercar, Gordon Murray hasn't been shy about releasing the future model's specs.
From what has already been advanced from what we consider to be the true successor to McLaren F1, we have to admit that expectations are high.
Three seats, with the driver in the middle, just like the F1; Atmospheric V12 capable of doing 12 100 rpm (!); rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual gearbox; less than 1000 kg; and there's no shortage of a 40 cm diameter fan at the back for aerodynamic effects (and not just that).
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It is not common to be able to “follow” step by step the development of a supercar that promises a driving experience with very little digital or synthetic.
And now, a few months after we have known the three cylinders that served as a model to validate all the solutions to put in the 3.9 atmospheric V12 that will equip the T.50, Gordon Murray Automotive has published a small film, where we see the engine, now yes, complete, being connected for the first time on a power bank:
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Being the first test of the strident engine developed by Cosworth, we still haven't seen it, or better yet, we've heard it reach the promised 12,100 rpm — it stayed with a “lazy” 1500 rpm.
When development is complete, this Cosworth's 3.9 V12, will deliver 650 hp at 12,100 rpm (700 hp with “ram air” effect) and 467 Nm… at 9000 rpm . Don't be scared off by the 9000 rpm where maximum torque is reached. To ensure easy day-to-day use, Gordon Murray Automotive says that 71% of maximum torque, ie 331 Nm, will be available at 2500 rpm.
V12 featherweight
The 3.9 V12 not only promises to be the “naturally aspirated V12 with the highest revs, fastest response, (and) highest power density”, it also promises to be the lightest ever used in a road car.
Accuses "only" 178 kg , a remarkable value for a V12 and an important contribution to guaranteeing the promised 980 kg for the T.50, an extraordinarily low value considering the type of vehicle it is.
For comparison purposes, the fantastic BMW S70/2 used in the McLaren F1 shows a difference of over 60 kg on the scale. How did you manage to be so light? The engine block is made of high-density aluminum and the crankshaft, despite being made of steel, weighs just 13 kg. Then there are a number of titanium components that help to reduce the mass of the V12 such as connecting rods, valves and the clutch housing.
As mentioned above, coupled to the V12 will be a six-speed manual transmission that also promises to be lightweight, weighing just 80.5 kg — about 10 kg less than that used in F1. And with Murray also promising “the best cash pass in the world”.
When will the T.50 be revealed?
Although development is still ongoing, the T.50 will be unveiled shortly on the 4th of August. Production, however, will only start in 2021, and the first units will only be delivered in 2022. Only 100 T.50 will be produced, with an additional 25 units destined for the circuits — Gordon Murray wants to take the T.50 at 24 Le Mans Hours.
The price per unit is expected to start at… 2.7 million euros.