Gordon Murray’s “Modern McLaren F1” To Have 650-700 HP, Six-Speed Manual


In 2022, Gordon Murray will launch the spiritual successor to the iconic McLaren F1, which he masterminded back in the 1990s.

The new supercar, dubbed T.50, will be manufactured by Gordon Murray Automotive and is being touted as the “purest, lightest, most driver-focused supercar ever built.”

Powering the T.50 will be a naturally-aspirated 3.9-liter V12 developed and built by Cosworth with 650 HP and 331 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque, which will rev to a stratospheric 12,100 rpm. While those figures aren’t extraordinary in the modern world of supercars and hypercars, Murray notes that maximum power is, in reality, closer to 700 HP thanks to the ram-air effect provided by the large roof scoop.

Coupled to the engine will be a lightweight six-speed manual transmission currently being developed by Xtrac. Power will be sent to the rear wheels and braking will be provided by lightweight monobloc alloy calipers and carbon ceramic discs.

Underpinning the T.50 will be a carbon fiber monocoque and all of the exterior body panels will be made from carbon, toom resulting in an extraordinarily low weight of just 2,160 lbs (980 kg), while the car’s footprint will be smaller than a Porsche 911’s.

“Just as with the F1, we have no specific targets for acceleration, top speed or lap times,” Murray said. “The F1 was fast because it was light and relatively small. The T.50 will deliver performance and dynamic characteristics simply out of reach for other supercars not least because of its low weight. Once again, I have focused on the complete driving experience, not horsepower or top speed.”

Much like the F1, the T.50 will be a three-seater with the driver sitting in a central position. The car has a perfect 50:50 weight distribution and, according to Murray, will be capable of GT-style cruising and offer superb packaging and luggage space.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect owill be the use of an electronically-controlled 400 mm ground-effect fan to suck the car into the tarmac. Murray pioneered this technology with the Brabham BT46B Formula One ‘Fan Car’ back in 1978 that was so ahead of the competition it was withdrawn from racing after just one race, the Swedish Grand Prix, which the late Niki Lauda won with spectacular ease.

Production of the T.50 will be capped at just 100 units worldwide, with prices starting at over £2 million ($2.5 million).

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