A year and a half after the T.50, Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) yesterday introduced the cheaper and less extreme T.33. While the former’s 50 units sold for about $4 million each, the latter’s projected 100 units cost about $2.5 million each.
Gordon Murray, for those who don’t know, is the creator of the iconic three-seat McLaren F1 supercar and several F1 racing cars including the 1978 Brabham BT46B “Fan Car”.
Photo: Gordon Murray Automotive
Unlike the T.50, the new T.33 does not have a central driving position or ground effect fans in the rear. It’s also 220 pounds heavier at 2,400 pounds. However, it retains the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter Cosworth V12 and optional six-speed manual transmission (which Murray says is a lot more popular with buyers than he imagined).
The T.33 produces 607 hp at a high 10,500 rpm, while peak torque is 332 lb-ft at 9,000 rpm (including 250 lb-ft from 2,500 rpm). It draws fresh air from a roof-mounted ram intake scoop. Incidentally, the airbox is completely separate from the chassis and only attached to the engine itself.
Photo: Gordon Murray Automotive
From a design point of view, everything about this car has a function. There are no unnecessary wings or vents, in keeping with Murray’s focus on sleek minimalism. Even the GMA logo behind the side glass hides the handle for the V-opening door. Inspired by racing cars of the 1960s and barely larger than a Porsche 718 Cayman, the exquisitely designed carbon body is mounted to a new central structure that uses honeycomb carbon fiber panels bonded to an aluminum frame.
The only active aerodynamic component is the rear spoiler, which extends automatically at speed or can be extended manually by the driver. Large venturi tunnels on either side of the exhaust outlets connect to a new passive boundary layer control system under the car that adjusts airflow based on suction levels at the rear of the car. And amazingly, the suspension uses unequal-length wishbones at each corner, but no adaptive dampers or rear anti-roll bars.
Photo: Gordon Murray Automotive
As for the two-person cockpit, it looks unlike anything else on the road – except for the T.50, of course. There are no touchscreens, and even the turn signal levers have been replaced with buttons on the steering wheel. The 4.7-inch analog speedometer is flanked by two smaller displays that show speed and other gauges. And how cool is the shifter?
Photo: Gordon Murray Automotive
One last thing, owners will find storage compartments inside, as well as a front trunk and a pair of luggage lockers accessed through hinged panels behind the doors. The aim was to make the T.33 a real GT for people who want to cover long distances.
We already have a strong contender for Car Design of the Year folks.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://formulaone.news/mclaren/castore-to-create-up-to-150-jobs-this-year-after-recordbreaking-sales-and-profits
