2023 Gordon Murray Automotive T.50

Gordon Murray Automotive has made no secret of the fact that the T.50 is a modern interpretation of the legendary McLaren F1. Both share a powerful V12, a six-speed manual gearbox, low weight, and a central driving position. Of course, the modern T.50 pushes the performance envelope even further, producing 656 horsepower from its naturally aspirated V12, an engine that only becomes acquainted with its red line at 12,100 rpm. That surfeit of power in a car that weighs less than a Mazda MX-5 Miata is astonishing, and Gordon Murray's insistence on creating the most emotive driving experience possible is why the T.50 eschews electrification or forced induction of any kind. There isn't even a touchscreen to distract you. This is a supercar of great purity and tactility, and its price and exclusivity place it in the realm of exotics like the Koenigsegg CC850, Aston Martin Valkyrie, and Ferrari Daytona SP3. For the lucky few who can acquire one, the T.50 may just be the creme de la creme of driver's machines.

The T.50 went into production in the first half of 2023 as GMA's first supercar. Like the McLaren F1 that inspired it, the T.50 is characterized by low weight, a highly powerful V12, and a relentless focus on the driving experience. Since it isn't road legal in the USA, the 2023 T.50 can only be imported here under the Show or Display rule. Only 100 examples of the T.50 are destined to be produced, so the chances of spotting one in the wild are very low. A track-focused version known as the T.50s is set to follow the normal T.50.

With an engine that revs to over 12,000 rpm, one might expect the T.50 to look outrageous, but GMA went for a simplified, timeless design over one that would compete with a Lamborghini for attention. To that end, the T.50 is free of ostentatious wings and gaping vents. That doesn't mean it's boring to look at. It sits low to the ground, while the rear-mid engine layout has enabled a low, short hood. The high-intensity LED headlights are designed to mirror the ones on the McLaren F1, while the rear has circular LED taillights. The dual exhaust outlets are housed in a black grille with an elongated hexagon pattern. Together with the 15.7-inch fan at the back, the rear view is the car's most dramatic.

This fan guides air beneath the car, forcing it through the active control ducts in the rear diffuser. Driven by a 48-volt motor, there are six modes for the fan aero system, with High Downforce Mode boosting downforce by 50%. The aerodynamic technologies include two active rear spoilers that work with the fan depending on whether greater downforce or lower drag is required.

Forged aluminum alloys measure 19 inches in front and an inch larger at the back. GMA fits Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Not only is the Cosworth GMA V12 a mechanical marvel, but it's also a visual treat and can be viewed below the twin rear gullwing openings. And, in case you still doubted its supercar status, the T.50 has dihedral doors.

Customers can have a carbon roof or one with glass panels.

One of the best ways to save weight is to keep things compact. The T.50 does that by having a footprint similar to that of the Porsche Boxster. It starts with a short wheelbase of just 106.3 inches and a length of 171.3 inches. Other key dimensions for the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 include a width of 72.8 inches and a height of 45.8 inches.

GMA proudly says that the T.50 weighs nearly a third of what a comparable supercar does. The total weight is 2,174 lbs, and the dry weight works out to just 2,110 lbs. Those figures are even lighter than the base Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Besides the fact that the T.50 isn't a large car, its light mass is also enabled by body panels and a monocoque fashioned from carbon fiber. The body alone weighs under 330 lbs, and the 392-lb V12 is the lightest road-going V12 ever. Even the windscreen glass is 28% thinner than normal windscreen glass.

GMA says that a normal supercar has a weight-to-power ratio of about 463 lbs per 100 PS (98.6 lbs), far above the 332 lbs per 100 PS of the T.50.

GMA has a customer experience center where each T.50 can be individually configured. This experience includes a full inspiration brochure for customers who don't yet know how they want to tailor their T.50. Unsurprisingly, the variety of available colors is too long to cover in detail here. There are around 6,000 potential color combinations, so everything from simple silvers and blacks to eye-popping green, yellow, orange, and red hues will be available. It all forms part of GMA's goal to make each one of the 100 cars unique. If a customer loves a specific color, the live configurator team can adjust the lightness or darkness of that color in real time.

There are also various wheel and brake caliper shades to choose from, while the carbon bits can have a satin or gloss finish. The Gordon Murray Automotive T.50's badging can be finished in various colors, too. Gordon Murray himself said that almost every configuration is included in the starting price unless the customer requests something truly extraordinary that adds significantly to the production time.

The 3.9-liter naturally-aspirated V12 engine in the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 produces 656 hp and 344 lb-ft of torque at 9,000 rpm. Besides its sheer power, it's the symphony delivered by the V12 that may be its finest attribute. The Direct Path Induction Sound engineering helps direct sound into the cabin for a completely immersive aural experience that no sound system can hope to surpass. The six-speed manual gearbox is another important aspect of the T.50 puzzle, allowing the driver to rev out the engine time and time again. Although this was never designed to be the quickest car in the world, it's anything but slow. The Gordon Murray Automotive T.50's 0-62 mph sprint flashes by in about 2.8 seconds, and the top speed is 217 mph.

As capable on a twisty road as on a straight one, the T.50 has an exceptionally low center of gravity thanks to the placement of the V12. For maximum feel, the rack-and-pinion steering is unassisted when the speeds rise. The T.50 has a double wishbone suspension, while the semi-structural engine is mounted to the chassis. Despite its agility, the rear-wheel-drive T.50 has a surprisingly compliant ride, although its status as a non-road-legal car in America means anyone importing one won't get to try the car out on back roads.

The red line of 12,100 rpm makes it abundantly clear that the V12 loves to rev, but that doesn't mean it's lifeless at lower revs, with 71% of the torque peak delivered at 2,500 rpm. In GT Mode, the engine speed is limited to "only" 9,500 rpm, and power peaks at 592 hp to make the RWD T.50 easier to drive on normal roads. Unbridled, the engine produces 656 hp and 344 lb-ft of torque. It's the most power-dense naturally-aspirated V12 equipped to a road car, and such is its responsiveness that GMA says it can go from idle to the limiter in 0.3 of a second.

The six-speed manual gearbox from Xtrac has short throws. The first five ratios are designed for peak acceleration, with the sixth for cruising.

There are no EPA ratings for the GMA T.50, but we assume that the large V12 won't return much more than 13 mpg combined. Assuming this is correct, it will have a range of about 274 miles based on the fuel tank capacity of 21.1 gallons.

Like a true F1 car, the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50's interior features a central driving position. Unlike an F1 car, there is also room for two friends to come along for the ride. GMA has gone to great lengths to minimize driver distractions, so there is no flashy touchscreen, the steering wheel isn't overloaded with controls, and there is a prominent analog tachometer that can be viewed at a glance. Various physical controls are positioned around the steering wheel and on the lower center panel, but the one that will delight enthusiasts most is the tall gear shift lever for the manual gearbox with its exposed mechanism. Racy materials like carbon fiber and titanium are dotted around the cabin.

The unorthodox seating layout of the GMA T.50 sees a center driver's seat flanked by two smaller seats for passengers. The passenger seats are set slightly further back than the driver's seat, and although it's snug, three adults can actually be seated in surprising comfort. Broader-shouldered individuals may feel a bit claustrophobic in the passenger seats, but the available glass roof makes the interior space feel brighter and airier.

To ensure a perfect driving position, customers can visit GMA for a tailored fitting. Depending on the frame of the customer, the seat, steering wheel, and pedal box will all be optimally adjusted. This is especially important for getting the steering wheel in the ideal position since GMA elected not to equip manual or electric adjustment of the steering column to save weight. GMA will even build unique seat foams for specific customers if requested. Even the clutch footrest can be repositioned for each customer. Wide door openings improve ingress and egress, and because torsion beams are positioned outside the chassis and not in the middle of the passenger compartment, there is a flatter floor.

As with the exterior, a plethora of interior configurations are available. Like the McLaren F1, the driver's seat can be specified in a bright color to make it stand out from the darker surroundings and visually emphasize the center seating position. Both leather and full Alcantara seats are available, and there are seat colors like orange, cream, black, Authol Blue, and many, many more. GMA will allow customers to bring their own embroidery pattern to the customization experience, which can be implemented inside the cabin. Elsewhere, there is a carbon fiber steering wheel and a titanium gearstick.

Despite its small size and the rear-mid-engined layout, the cargo space in the GMA T.50 is quite generous. With two occupants, the cargo volume is 10.2 cubic feet, or just above eight cubes, with three people on board. Vertical luggage compartments can be found within the haunches on either side of the car. This means that the total space is split between two cargo areas, so large items will struggle to fit.

In the cabin, there are five compartments for smaller items. Collectively, these measure just over 1 cubic foot in size.

This is no grand tourer, and the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 is light on features. This was intentional to keep the car's weight as low as possible. One major improvement over the McLaren F1 is a more effective air conditioning system. The driver's seat only has the most basic adjustments, but that's not a huge concern since the individual seat fitting will ensure a perfect driving position. The paddles behind the steering wheel initially appear odd, considering the manual gearbox, but these are for the horn and high beams. Low-speed electric power steering helps greatly with parking, but the steering is unassisted at high speeds. There are dual digital displays on either side of the analog rev counter, there's a flip-up cover for the start/top button, and there are power windows. It has everything you need and nothing you don't.

The T.50 has a basic infotainment system that can be controlled via a dial positioned in front of the gear shift lever. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a ten-speaker sound system with 700 watts from Arcam are included. Of the two digital screens provided, the one on the right-hand side is for infotainment duties. The left screen, meanwhile, contains information such as speed and the status of various aerodynamic components like the rear fan.

Besides an extremely low production run, the T.50 hasn't been around long enough to establish its reliability. However, we expect that GMA will approach any potential problems with the same attention to detail as they have the rest of the car. GMA said that a network of five global service centers, including in the USA, will be established where experienced technicians will be able to service and repair the T.50.

Detailed warranty information for the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 has not been disclosed.

The T.50 is one of the least likely cars to be crash-tested. Conducting a safety review of the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 would be too expensive. However, the carbon fiber monocoque should be strong, and GMA previously shared a video of the car undergoing airbag calibration testing, so occupants will be protected with the basics in the unfortunate event of a crash.

Besides airbags, the T.50 also has traction and stability control, while powerful six-piston front brakes and four-piston rear ones will bring the T.50 to a stop safely. High-tech driving aids like lane departure warning and hands-free assistance aren't on the menu, not that you'd want to hand over control of this involving machine to a computer.

Gordon Murray's stubborn commitment to prioritize driver enjoyment has given us one of the most spectacular supercars ever. The T.50 is the polar opposite of the overly sanitized, computerized approach to building modern sports cars, where on-paper performance is overvalued at the expense of the raw sensations from behind the wheel. From its incredibly high-revving V12 to its manual gearbox, the T.50 delivers a thrilling drive. The center driving position is more than just a novelty, making the driver feel truly ensconced in the action, and the combination of the low center of gravity and ludicrously low weight endow it with an athleticism not possible in a larger car. There are many obstacles to owning one in the USA - production numbers are limited, the price is stratospheric, and it's not road-legal - but we do hope the few individuals who acquire one will do more with it than just put it on display. If any car deserves to be driven, and driven hard, it's this masterful spiritual successor to the McLaren F1.

With local taxes included, the MSRP of the 2023 Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 is about £2.8 million in the UK. At the time of writing, that price translates to over $3.5 million.

GMA doesn't offer many feature upgrades despite the car being heavily customizable in terms of how it looks. On a positive note, uniquely speccing your car won't cost extra as long as the requests are within reason. You can, however, go for a glass roof instead of the carbon fiber one, an option that costs nothing extra. Unlike exotics from Ferrari or Lamborghini, where options can add tens of thousands to the price, Gordon Murray Automotive has kept it simpler with the T.50. We suspect GMA avoided any heavy extras to keep the weight of every car low.

There is only one T.50 trim to choose from, but how you configure it is up to you. Such is the bespoke nature of the car that no two examples are expected to be identical.