A
Auto Express
Guest
Gordon Murray Automotive has launched a new, track-only version of the T.50 supercar, called the T.50S. It’s a stripped-out, more powerful and even lighter version of the road-going model, which has been designed to rival more mainstream track monsters, such as the Lamborghini Essenza and McLaren Senna GTR.
This new track-only T.50 gives those who missed out on the road-going variant a second chance at ownership, after all 100 examples of the standard car sold out within 48 hours of its launch event. Production will be limited to just 25 units – and each carries a price-tag of £3.1 million before taxes.
Like the road-going version, the T.50S is powered by a Cosworth-engineered naturally aspirated 4.0-litre V12 engine. However, thanks to a fresh set of cylinder heads, a higher compression ratio, a new exhaust system and a more aggressive ram-air induction system, power soars from 654bhp to 720bhp.
GMA has junked the standard T.50’s six-speed manual gearbox, too, in favour of a six-speed paddle-shift sequential transmission – but, like the road-going supercar, all of the engine’s power still goes to the rear wheels and the engine’s redline is still set at 12,100rpm.
It barely seemed possible, but GMA has also managed to make the T.50S even lighter than its already featherweight road-going sibling. By ditching the car’s air conditioning system, infotainment screen, carpets, storage compartments and one of the passenger seats, the company saved 94kg – taking the supercar’s kerb weight down to 890kg.
There’s little left of the original interior – buyers get a carbon fibre race seat, a pair of racing harnesses and a pared-back carbon fibre racing wheel, which only features switches for the pit-lane intercom and the car’s traction control and launch control systems.
To cope with the extra power and the extensive diet programme, the T.50S has received a substantial aerodynamic redesign. The most noticeable difference is a large delta wing mounted along the centre line of the car, which pays homage to the front wing on Murray’s 1983 Brabham BT52 Formula One car.
GMA claims that, when coupled with the car’s existing 400mm fan, as well as a new front splitter, an adjustable diffuser and a new ground-effect underbody aero tray, the T.50S can generate more than 1,500kg of downforce – which is 170 percent of the car’s kerb weight.
Gordon Murray said: “Designing the racing car’s aerodynamics has been extremely rewarding. My love for motorsport really fuelled the development of this car. The aerodynamics are so effective that the T.50S would be capable of driving upside down, and could do so at as little as 175mph.”
The chassis has received an equally extensive update, with reworked suspension geometry, a 40mm lower ride-height, stiffer anti-roll bars, new brake cooling ducts and fresh set of lightweight magnesium wheels. However, like the road car, the T.50S rides on entirely conventional Michelin Cup Sport 2 rubber, rather than a set of specially developed tyres.
What do you make of the new track-only GMA T.50S? Let us know in the comments section below…
Continue reading...
This new track-only T.50 gives those who missed out on the road-going variant a second chance at ownership, after all 100 examples of the standard car sold out within 48 hours of its launch event. Production will be limited to just 25 units – and each carries a price-tag of £3.1 million before taxes.
- SEE MORE Best track day cars 2020
Like the road-going version, the T.50S is powered by a Cosworth-engineered naturally aspirated 4.0-litre V12 engine. However, thanks to a fresh set of cylinder heads, a higher compression ratio, a new exhaust system and a more aggressive ram-air induction system, power soars from 654bhp to 720bhp.
GMA has junked the standard T.50’s six-speed manual gearbox, too, in favour of a six-speed paddle-shift sequential transmission – but, like the road-going supercar, all of the engine’s power still goes to the rear wheels and the engine’s redline is still set at 12,100rpm.
It barely seemed possible, but GMA has also managed to make the T.50S even lighter than its already featherweight road-going sibling. By ditching the car’s air conditioning system, infotainment screen, carpets, storage compartments and one of the passenger seats, the company saved 94kg – taking the supercar’s kerb weight down to 890kg.
There’s little left of the original interior – buyers get a carbon fibre race seat, a pair of racing harnesses and a pared-back carbon fibre racing wheel, which only features switches for the pit-lane intercom and the car’s traction control and launch control systems.
To cope with the extra power and the extensive diet programme, the T.50S has received a substantial aerodynamic redesign. The most noticeable difference is a large delta wing mounted along the centre line of the car, which pays homage to the front wing on Murray’s 1983 Brabham BT52 Formula One car.
GMA claims that, when coupled with the car’s existing 400mm fan, as well as a new front splitter, an adjustable diffuser and a new ground-effect underbody aero tray, the T.50S can generate more than 1,500kg of downforce – which is 170 percent of the car’s kerb weight.
Gordon Murray said: “Designing the racing car’s aerodynamics has been extremely rewarding. My love for motorsport really fuelled the development of this car. The aerodynamics are so effective that the T.50S would be capable of driving upside down, and could do so at as little as 175mph.”
The chassis has received an equally extensive update, with reworked suspension geometry, a 40mm lower ride-height, stiffer anti-roll bars, new brake cooling ducts and fresh set of lightweight magnesium wheels. However, like the road car, the T.50S rides on entirely conventional Michelin Cup Sport 2 rubber, rather than a set of specially developed tyres.
What do you make of the new track-only GMA T.50S? Let us know in the comments section below…
Continue reading...