Always wanted to buy an original McLaren F1? Well, Gordon Murray, the man responsible for the F1, is planning a new hypercar called the T.50. And on paper, the initial stats look very impressive. Even more impressive than the F1.
The plan is to make a modern interpretation of the McLaren F1, and that includes the iconic three-seat cabin configuration with a central driving position. As you can see by this teaser image showing the side profile, it will be a very low-slung car with a mid-mounted engine.
Speaking of which, Gordon Murray Automotive is planning to build a bespoke 4.0-litre (3980cc) naturally aspirated V12 for the T.50, producing 485kW and just 450Nm. The torque figure gives you some idea of the engine style; this will be a rev machine, capable of hitting a ridiculous 12,100rpm. In other words, it’ll be like an F1 car for the road, which is what the original McLaren F1 was all about.
There’s no mention of any projected performance figures, such as 0-100km/h times. However, with a projected overall weight of just 980kg, it will be one of the lightest weight supercars on the market. The low weight translates to an awesome power-to-weight ratio.
According to the specs the body will be made from carbon composite panels, while the primary structure will be a handmade sandwich-style carbon fibre monocoque. At the front is a double wishbone suspension setup, like an F1 car, and a double wishbone layout at the back. According to Gordon Murray, the T.50 won’t concentrate on acceleration or top speed or any specific area. Murray says:
“Just as with the F1, we have no specific targets for acceleration, top speed or lap times. 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.”
Like the F1, the T.50 is being pitched as the purest, lightest and most driver-focused road-going supercar ever built. Murray says the new car will rewrite the supercar rulebook. In a statement, he added:
“I designed the F1 as a sort of super GT car – absolutely road-focused with no plan to go racing, which is why the car set new standards for packaging and luggage space. The T.50 design has the same focus and betters the F1 in every area – ingress and egress; luggage capacity; serviceability; maintenance and suspension set-up. Also, driver-selectable engine maps ensure a driving mode to suit every situation.”
So, how much? Well the starting price will be “in excess of £2 million” before taxes (about AU$3.64m), with first deliveries to begin rolling out in 2022. You better get in quick though, only 100 are being planned. This will make it more exclusive than the F1 as well, of which 106 were made in total, including race versions called the F1 GTR. Preliminary specs are as follows:
Technical specifications
| General | |
| Body type | Two doors, three seats, Grand Tourer Supercar |
| Engine | Cosworth-GMA 3.9L 65-degree V12 N/A twin-cam |
| Weight | 980kg |
| Length | 4380mm |
| Width | 1850mm |
| Motor and transmission | |
| Type | Naturally aspirated V12 |
| Displacement | 3980cc |
| Layout | Rear mid-engine |
| Maximum power | 650hp |
| Maximum torque | 450Nm |
| Valves | Four valves per cylinder |
| Fuel system | Petrol pfi aluminium fuel tank |
| Maximum engine revs | 12,100rpm |
| Engine details / overview | Dry sump lubrication |
| Variable valve timing | |
| Highest-revving road car engine (no flywheel / lightweight clutch) | |
| Structural chassis member | |
| Ram-air induction system | |
| Cutting-edge materials and coatings | |
| All light alloy (including magnesium and titanium) | |
| Transmission | Bespoke lightweight six-speed transmission |
| Light alloy casing | |
| Limited-slip differential | |
| Lightweight clutch | |
| Gun-drilled drive shafts | |
| Chassis and body | |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Chassis | Primary structure handmade sandwich-panel carbon monocoque, including semi-structural powertrain utilising high-modulus adhesive |
| Body | Carbon composite panels |
| Occupant architecture | Central driving position – three seats |
| Suspension and brakes | |
| Front suspension | Rod / operated rising rate; double wishbone; anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension | Rod / operated rising rate; double wishbone – inclined shear axis; powertrain mass damper |
| Brakes | Carbon-ceramic discs |
| Aluminium floating disc bells | |
| Monobloc light alloy calipers | |
| Low boost assist / ABS | |
| Steering | LSPA rack and pinion |
| Wheels | Forged light alloy |
| Aerodynamics | Active ground-effect with full-width diffuser and fan-assisted underbody airflow – brake balance foil |
