FYI: Renowned designer Gordon Murray’s latest masterpiece, the GMA T.50 supercar, showcases innovative engineering on "Jay Leno’s Garage," with racing legend Dario Franchitti presenting this stunning vehicle.
Gordon Murray’s Latest Supercar to Shine on "Jay Leno’s Garage"
British car designer Gordon Murray, famed for creating the iconic McLaren F1 supercar in the 1990s, has unveiled his latest groundbreaking vehicle, the T.50, a supercar destined to become another legend in the automotive world. The T.50 recently took the spotlight in the latest episode of "Jay Leno’s Garage," with none other than the legendary racing driver Dario Franchitti showcasing its prowess.
Jay Leno, a well-known McLaren F1 owner, expressed his admiration for the T.50, describing it as a worthy successor to the iconic F1. Featuring a central driver’s seat, a lightweight carbon fiber tub, a high-revving V-12 engine (capable of reaching 12,100 rpm), and a six-speed manual transmission, the T.50 mirrors many characteristics that made the F1 so revolutionary.
Dario Franchitti’s Exclusive Showcase
As an ambassador for Gordon Murray Automotive, Dario Franchitti was ideally placed to present the T.50 to Leno, bringing his racing expertise to the table. Currently, in its prototype phase, the T.50 wasn’t available for Leno to drive, but it’s expected to join his extensive collection soon.
Production and Future Plans
The production of the T.50 commenced in early 2023 at a dedicated factory in the UK. Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) plans to manufacture only 100 units of the T.50, alongside 25 units of a more extreme variant named the T.50s Niki Lauda. Post the T.50 series, GMA will shift focus to develop a comparatively less aggressive supercar, the T.33, with an open-top T.33 Spyder also in the pipeline.
Innovative Design – The Rear Fan System
The T.50 distinguishes itself with a unique rear fan system designed to enhance downforce without relying on large wings or spoilers, which Murray personally finds unappealing. The fan optimizes the rear diffuser and spoiler, featuring multiple modes to adjust downforce levels.
- High Downforce Mode: Increases downforce by 50%.
- Brake Mode: Enhances braking effectiveness and potentially reduces stopping distances from 150 mph by 98 feet.
- V-Max Boost Mode: Elevates engine output from 654 horsepower to 690 horsepower with ram air capability.
Unlike the fan system developed for the Brabham BT46B "fan car" that Niki Lauda drove to victory in 1978, which functioned like a vacuum to pull the car towards the ground, the T.50’s fan enhances aerodynamics in a more versatile manner.
Competition and Future Directions
Besides Gordon Murray, other notable F1 designers are also venturing into the supercar market. Adrian Newey, an ex-Red Bull Racing designer, has created the RB17 track car, set for production and sale soon.
Conclusion
Gordon Murray’s T.50 is more than just a follow-up to the legendary McLaren F1; it’s a testament to the evolution of automotive engineering. Revealed in "Jay Leno’s Garage," the T.50, with its innovative fan system and meticulous design, embodies Murray’s vision of perfection. This limited-production supercar is poised to become a prized collector’s item, representing the pinnacle of automotive innovation.
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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
