Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) has confirmed it will produce a racing version of the recently revealed T50 supercar.
Just 25 examples of the track-only car, codenamed T50s, will be built, each with extensive revisions that promise to make it even lighter than the road-going version, at just 890kg.
Each example will cost £3.1 million (AUD$5.05 million) before taxes – a substantial increase over the road car’s £2.36 million (AUD$3.85 million) plus taxes. Over half of the production run had already been accounted for before the car’s existence was revealed to the public.
The Cosworth-developed, naturally aspirated V12 engine powering the T50 has been re-engineered with revised cylinder heads, a higher compression ratio and an all-new free-flow exhaust system to produce beyond 720kW. According to Murray himself, this was only possible in a track car, which doesn’t have to contend with noise or emission regulations. A bespoke new six-speed transmission has new drive ratios and replaces the road car’s manual gearstick with paddle shifters.
Significant upgrades to the car’s aerodynamics pair the road-going T50’s signature rear-mounted fan with a new 1758mm-wide rear wing, new front splitter, underbody aerofoil and adjustable diffusers. Combined, the changes allow the T50s to generate more than 1500kg of downforce. A new roof-mounted aero fin also helps boost cornering stability, allowing the car to generate 2.5-3g under braking.
Unlike the road car, which has multiple aerodynamic modes, the T50s will run in High Downforce mode at all times, with the diffuser ducts fully open and the fan running permanently at 7000rpm.
Ride height has been lowered by 40mm front and rear, oil cooling systems relocated to improve airflow to the rear wing and new brake ducting added to assist with temperature management. Forged magnesium wheels significantly reduce the car’s unsprung mass, but as per Murray’s insistence that supercars don’t require bespoke tyres, the T50s will ride on Michelin Cup Sport 2s.
Stripping back the interior has helped shave 94kg compared with the road-going car, with air conditioning, infotainment, storage and sound-deadening materials all removed. Road-going displays have also been removed, with performance-focused information moved to an F1-style rectangular steering wheel.
The centrally positioned driver’s seat has been exchanged for a carbonfibre racing bucket and six-point racing harness, while one of the two passenger seats has been deleted in the name of lightness.
“With an unwavering focus on performance, and free from road-going legislation and maintenance considerations, the T50s will achieve astonishing performance on track, demonstrating the full extent of the car’s capabilities,” Murray said. “We’ve thrown everything at pushing this car beyond the levels of anything that’s been done before. It’s a celebration of British engineering and our team’s extensive motorsport experience.”
GMA is currently discussing the potential for a GT1 sports club and race series with the SRO Motorsports Group, with Murray’s team offering a full range of pit, garage, and support equipment for owners. Owners will receive a ‘Trackspeed’ customisation pack that includes set-up, training, racing and support, with options to fine-tune suspension and chassis balance to suit their driving style.
According to the company, the T50s will carry a “historically significant” name, which is set to be announced later this year alongside the official reveal of the car. This suggests it could carry the GTR name seen on track-only versions of the Murray-penned McLaren F1, to which the T50 is a spiritual successor. There’s a chance it will reference the BT46 designation carried by the original Brabham fan car, also designed by Murray.
The road-going T50 sold out within 48 hours of its official unveilling. Just 100 cars will be built throughout 2022. Production of the 25 racing T50s cars will then follow in early 2023.
Tom Morgan