The Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) T.50 doesn’t aim to dominate performance charts or shatter speed records.
It doesn’t boast headline-grabbing horsepower or aggressive styling to compete with today’s crop of hypercars. Instead, it’s built to rekindle the lost art of driving—a car that puts the experience of the driver at its core.
A Different Approach to Performance
Gordon Murray is no stranger to engineering greatness. As the mind behind several Formula 1 championship-winning cars and the iconic McLaren F1, Murray has proven he knows how to build fast, record-breaking machines.
The McLaren F1 held the title of the world’s fastest production car for over a decade, long before turbochargers and hybrid technology redefined the performance landscape.
But for the T.50, Murray’s focus wasn’t on numbers. He wanted a car that would embody simplicity, balance, and engagement—qualities often sacrificed in the pursuit of power and speed.
The T.50 is a three-seater supercar with a central driving position, a nod to the McLaren F1. But it’s also smaller, lighter, and more efficient, reflecting Murray’s obsession with engineering perfection.
Lessons From the McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 was revolutionary, but even Murray acknowledges it had its imperfections. The brakes squeaked, the air conditioning was unreliable, and the clutch required constant adjustment. For the T.50, he set out to fix those shortcomings while preserving what made the F1 special.
This time, Murray designed a car with modern materials and technology:
- Carbon-ceramic brakes for consistent stopping power.
- A durable fuel tank, eliminating frequent replacements.
- Enhanced air conditioning, ensuring comfort without sacrificing weight.
These refinements address the practical limitations of the F1, making the T.50 a car that’s both high-performing and more user-friendly.
The Engine: A High-Revving Marvel
At the heart of the T.50 lies a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V-12 engine developed by Cosworth. It’s an engineering masterpiece that prioritizes precision over brute force.
- 661 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and a 12,100 rpm redline.
- 353 lb-ft of torque, with a broad curve starting at just 2,500 rpm.
- A lightweight design, tipping the scales at just 392 pounds.
This engine isn’t just about numbers. It’s about how it delivers power, with a responsiveness and sound that harkens back to 1990s Formula 1 cars. The components, from titanium connecting rods to a 29-pound crankshaft, are crafted for maximum performance and efficiency.
Driving Experience: Light and Balanced
Thanks to its carbon-fiber construction and meticulous engineering, the T.50 weighs an astonishingly low 2,400 pounds. This lightness allows the car to remain agile without relying on massive tires, oversized wings, or extreme downforce.
Its most distinctive feature is the rear-mounted fan, inspired by Murray’s Brabham BT46 Formula 1 car. Unlike traditional aero elements, the fan optimizes airflow under the car for improved stability and efficiency. It even has a mode to enhance fuel economy while driving on the highway.
The six-speed manual gearbox, developed by Xtrac, is paired perfectly with the engine, offering crisp shifts and a direct connection to the road. Steering is unassisted at most speeds, but the car’s lightness makes every input feel natural and rewarding.
A Cabin With Purpose
Inside, the T.50 combines simplicity with practicality. The central driver’s seat is flanked by two passenger seats, a layout that offers excellent visibility and an intimate driving environment.
Lightweight materials are used throughout, with even the paint being applied sparingly to reduce weight. The result is an interior that feels purposeful but not spartan. Details like the exposed shifter linkage and the tactile feedback of the buttons add to the car’s mechanical charm.
While space is limited, the car is designed to accommodate weekend getaways, with luggage pods positioned on either side of the engine.
Exclusivity and Availability
Only 100 units of the T.50 have been produced, each priced at $3.2 million. All were sold out shortly after the car’s 2020 announcement.
In the United States, the T.50 falls under the “show or display” exemption, which limits road use to a few miles per year. Despite its rarity, the T.50 is already making waves as a new benchmark for driving-focused supercars.
A New Standard for Supercars
The GMA T.50 isn’t about chasing the biggest numbers or adopting the latest trends in hybrid or electric technology. It’s about delivering an authentic, unfiltered driving experience. Gordon Murray’s decades of expertise are evident in every detail, from the lightweight construction to the high-revving V-12 engine.
For those who value driving as an art form, the T.50 is more than a car—it’s a masterpiece.
READ MORE: Top 10 Classic Cars of All Time, Which One Is Your Favorite?
