I can almost imagine what the T.50 might feel like. But the Valkyrie? It’s a whole new world
I can almost imagine what the T.50 might feel like. But the Valkyrie? It’s a whole new world
Have you stopped drooling yet? GMA’s T.50 broke the internet. Dozens of videos hit YouTube discussing the sophisticated fan-assisted aero, bamboozling us with astonishing facts such as the engine’s theoretical ability to gain 28,400rpm per second and treating us to millions of other bits of trivia chiefly concerning the chasing out of weight wherever possible. Gordon Murray is a genius. On that we can all agree. A McLaren F1 Mk2 could be the greatest road car ever. No question. It costs £2.36 million (AUD$3.85 million). So why do we care so much? I have a secret. I don’t. And I’m struggling to explain why that might be. Is questioning the T.50 even allowed?
Let me be clear: Philosophically I adore the car. It’s everything Automotive Daily’s exclusive partner evo stands for in one understated, minimalist package. The spidery carbonfibre cradle that supports the six-speed gearbox lever and mechanism makes me go weak at the knees. The delicate, organic elegance of the pedal box is mesmerising and I have no doubt that chasing the 12,100rpm limiter will be a life-affirming experience. It’s light, compact and – everyone’s favourite expression – promises a truly ‘analogue’ experience. Do I want to drive it? Absolutely. But still the T.50 hasn’t quite fired my imagination.
Maybe it’s because I’m way more excited about relatively ‘normal’ cars that have embraced old-school driving thrills in a modern package. Porsche reverting to a normally aspirated flat-six for the 718 Cayman GTS is oddly inspirational. I still daydream about owning the fantastically pure Alpine A110 and can’t wait to try the hardcore S version, and the M2 CS has me frothing at the mouth. I hope and pray these cars and others like them continue to value the principles to which we all cling. Maybe that’s it, then. I’m just too poor to feel like a T.50 is anything other than a far-fetched dream. Then again that’s never stopped me falling in love before.