[Rehaan]

Originally Posted by ads11

Honestly there's such rich material for a podcast just mining the thoughts of automotive luminaries like Gordon et al.

See my post above with the Chris Harris video, that's pretty much what it is. They talk a bit about the car/s he daily drives too.

Originally Posted by carthick1000

And if you are interested about lightweight and packaging, here is a nice video about how Mazda brought down the weight of ND MX-5 to the levels of NA (both around 950kg), whereas NC was 100kgs heavier:

That smooth bell housing looks so strange.

It also looks HUGE (though it really isn't) -- but that reminds me of how the T.50 has taken things to the absolute next level by having a small-diameter clutch, so that both; rotational mass of the clutch and size of the housing could be reduced. That partially explains why it can revv up so fast.

[deetjohn]

The one thing I am most excited to find out on the T50 is the way it's going to sound.

That super responsive and high revving V12 NA motor gives me hope that it will be another eargasmic experience like the brilliant LFA. Also, Gordon really goes after driver engagement single mindedly. That fills me with great hope!

You can hear the engine a bit (outside the car) on this video below. 16:49 is the time stamp! This is really what F1 lost and I hope GMA has a racing franchise plan with the T50. That way we will be able to experience that sound fully!

https://youtu.be/kqKQ6uUUmsw

Also, love the fact that Gordon's daily drivers include the Alpine A110 and the humble Jimny. No prices for guessing what the prime deciding factor was for picking those two. What a dude!

[carthick1000]

Originally Posted by Rehaan

That smooth bell housing looks so strange.

It also looks HUGE (though it really isn't) -- but that reminds me of how the T.50 has taken things to the absolute next level by having a small-diameter clutch, so that both; rotational mass of the clutch and size of the housing could be reduced. That partially explains why it can revv up so fast.

Indeed the transmission of T.50 looks completely different than the bell housing of an MX-5. See here a small snippet of development of the Xtrac transmission:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG_9tbcpBbI

[FourWheelDrift]

For those interested in "reading" and not "seeing videos", you may want to read the design story of the engine and transmission here :

https://www.ukimediaevents.com/publication/9105e03c/6

The publication is Engine Technology International.

Cheers,

FourWheelDrift

[SSO]

Originally Posted by ChiragM

Everyone seems to be talking about a spiritual successor for the McLaren F1 nowadays. First it was McLaren with the Speedtail and now it is Gordon Murray.

There are actually 3 three seat supercars on sale right now, the McLaren Speedtail, GMA T.50, and SCG 004S. Of the three, only the SCG 004S is fully US street legal.

The V12 engine the T.50 will be using sounds phenomenal. While 652 bhp looks a bit light by today's hypercar standards but if you look at it on a power to weight ratio, its pretty impressive.

[meta]

Originally Posted by SSO

There are actually 3 three seat supercars on sale right now, the McLaren Speedtail, GMA T.50, and SCG 004S. Of the three, only the SCG 004S is fully US street legal.

Although an extra seat in a high-performance car can be useful (to some, sometimes), the real draw of a 3-seat setup is the central driving position.

By that measure, there are at least 4 road vehicles in the current industry pipeline: the ones you mentioned + the Czinger 21C.

I say "at least" because there also are things such as the current BAC Mono and the future Tesla Semi.

[SSO]

Originally Posted by meta

Although an extra seat in a high-performance car can be useful (to some, sometimes), the real draw of a 3-seat setup is the central driving position.

By that measure, there are at least 4 road vehicles in the current industry pipeline: the ones you mentioned + the Czinger 21C.

I say "at least" because there also are things such as the current BAC Mono and the future Tesla Semi.

If you are looking at 1+1 seating like the short lived Caparo T1, its not just the Czinger 21C, there's also the Delage D12 currently in development.

BAC Mono is a cool thing but not really something I would ever drive on the road.

[Venkatesh]

Gordon Murray Automotive has unveiled its T.50s Niki Lauda track focused supercar. Link

- Only 25 units to be made
- 3.9-litre V12 Engine with 735hp and revs to 12,100rpm
- Only 825kgs
- Central driving position
- price over 30 crores (before tax)

https://youtu.be/Hb6DAmm7sZg

[meta]

Originally Posted by Venkatesh

- Only 825kgs

852 kg, not 825 kg.

In any case, that number is a work in progress. Six months ago, GMA's wet[*] weight target for this car was 890 kg. So far, they've exceeded their own expectations with the current wet weight sitting at 852 kg. They have some promising leads for reducing the weight even futher and it is quite possible that the final weight might be a bit less. I realize your number is a typo, but if they can somehow get to 825 kg (unlikely), it'd be beyond awesome.

[*] Wet in GMA's terminology means including all fluids except fuel.

[amol4184]

Is there a video of the fan in action? Especially animation of the airflow from the fan around the massive rear diffusers?

[meta]

Originally Posted by amol4184

Is there a video of the fan in action? Especially animation of the airflow from the fan around the massive rear diffusers?

The fan works in conjunction with ducts and foils and does different things based on the mode the car is in.

In the T.50 (road car), there are 6 fan modes.

In the T.50s (track car), the fan is always in high downforce mode and runs at a constant 7,000 RPM.

GMA publishes and sends some truly interesting books and periodicals to their customers. I'm attaching a picture from one such book. It shows the airflow and operation of the various fan modes in the T.50.

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by meta

The fan works in conjunction with ducts and foils and does different things based on the mode the car is in.

In the T.50 (road car), there are 6 fan modes.

In the T.50s (track car), the fan is always in high downforce mode and runs at a constant 7,000 RPM.

GMA publishes and sends some truly interesting books and periodicals to their customers. I'm attaching a picture from one such book. It shows the airflow and operation of the various fan modes in the T.50.

Excellent. This is exactly what I was looking for. Brilliant engineering. But can't expect any less from GMA.

[Darkviper]

Gordon Murray drives the T.50 prototype on the Top Gear test track

http://youtu.be/MWqjZaH4H5g

[ads11]

Originally Posted by Darkviper

Gordon Murray drives the T.50 prototype on the Top Gear test track
http://Youtu.be/MWqjZaH4H5g

Oh man, seeing it out on track was great - it's dimensions are SO reminiscent of the F1, the minimal rear overhang, the bulbous forward glasshouse, the front headlights. Just can't help thinking back to that earlier car. Would love to see what the Stig manages with the final production car on Dunsfold.

Also, they clearly limited revs, but I wonder if they limited the idle revs too? I'm really curious to hear more of that fan, especially when combined with the engine at full chat. It's bound to have a distinct sound I'm sure. Thanks again for sharing

[Rehaan]

Man, the sound at 03:49 was just a tiny taste of things to come

At the end of the video where Gordon is talking, I couldn't help but wonder if maybe they've made such huge steps in terms of powertrain and weight-reduction, that the weak points (in comparison) will be suspension and traction management?

Originally Posted by ads11

I wonder if they limited the idle revs too?

What do you mean by that? It seemed to be idling at 1500 RPM which is a fairly high idle.