How Gordon Murray managed to reduce the weight of the T50 supercar to 2,160 pounds.
Legendary designer Gordon Murray's latest project is the T50 supercar, the successor to the McLaren F1. Like the McLaren F1, the T50 is as light as it is powerful, with a curb weight of just 2,160 pounds (8.6 kg). Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) claimed in a press release on Thursday that this weight is nearly one-third less than a typical supercar.
Weight is the enemy of performance. It ruins everything from acceleration to handling. Adding power can counteract mass, but Murray believes it leads to cars that don't measure up well in the real world.
"Driving enjoyment is being lost because many supercars today only "live" at the upper limits of their performance," Murray said in a statement.
"The pursuit of top speed only adds weight (especially with ever more powerful engines), and the future of true performance cars lies in intelligently reducing weight.
To make that happen, Murray and his team examined every component in detail. The team holds weekly "weight watcher" meetings where staff members check the weight of every part, down to the nuts, bolts, and washers.
According to GMA, the diameters and lengths of the fittings, which total about 900, were optimized by calculating the amount of force each would be subjected to. As a result, the parts are no larger than necessary and lighter in weight.
Other components were similarly placed under the microscope: the T50 has the same three-seat configuration as the F1, with the driver in the center; according to GMA, the driver's seat weighs less than 15 pounds, and the passenger seats between them weigh less than 7 pounds each. The pedal box is also claimed to be 0.6 pounds lighter than the F1.
Carbon fiber construction also contributes to the weight savings, with GMA claiming that the monocoque and body panels combined weigh less than 330 pounds.
While weight reduction was a priority, Murray did not ignore power. The compact T50 (smaller than a Porsche 911) is powered by a Cosworth-developed 3.9-liter V-12 engine that produces 650 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. This engine is assisted by a mild hybrid system that can temporarily add 30 hp. The Ram Air system can be used to further increase total output to 700 hp. Drive is to the rear wheels only, via a six-speed manual transmission.
It will also feature a rear fan that generates downforce, inspired by Murray's Brabham BT46B F1 "fan car."
Production of the T50 is expected to begin in early 2022. Only 100 road-going versions will be built, priced at $2.5 million each. An additional 25 circuit-only models may be added.
