Gordon Murray Automotive unveils two modern-day McLaren F1s
If you love exotic cars, you're bound to be familiar with the McLaren F1. Not one of the team's many Formula 1 cars, but the most sensational road car of its time. Designed by engineer Gordon Murray, it redefined the standards of exotic cars when it arrived in the early 1990s.
Equipped with a naturally aspirated 618-horsepower V12 engine from BMW, its power surpassed that of any contemporary Ferrari or Lamborghini. And its cockpit, with three seats and the driver in the middle, was also out of the ordinary.
Thirty years later, Gordon Murray no longer works for McLaren and has developed his own brand, GMA (Gordon Murray Automotive). Drawing inspiration from the McLaren F1, as well as the Brabham BT46B Formula 1 car with its rear vacuum cleaner, he created the T.50. A car with three seats, a naturally aspirated V12 engine, and highly advanced aerodynamics.
Building on this foundation, the Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV) division has unveiled two special models that are intended to be a modern reinterpretation of the McLaren F1. The first is the GMSV Le Mans GTR, an obvious reference to the famous endurance race where McLaren F1s shone, with an overall victory in 1995.
The bodywork has been completely redesigned, with a look reminiscent of the prototypes that raced on the famous French circuit. At the rear, the famous T.50 fan has been removed, replaced by a sloping hood topped with a large spoiler.
The engine is also identical to that of the T.50. It is a naturally aspirated 4-liter V12 developing 661 horsepower at an incredible 11,000 rpm! The engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. A total of 24 units will be built at a price that has not been disclosed. But considering that this is a special edition and that a base GMA T.50 costs more than US$3 million, the price tag is likely to be quite steep!
Five cars, one customer
The second car, named S1 LM, was ordered in a batch of five by a single customer. This customer must be more than passionate about Gordon Murray's creations! The design, which differs from that of the GMA T.50, is indeed very similar to its early 1990s inspiration.
This very special model also features some distinctive elements from the McLaren F1 GTR that raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, such as the five-spoke wheels, large front air intakes, four central exhausts, and fixed rear wing.
Under the hood, the S1 LM has the same naturally aspirated V12 engine (revised to 4.3 liters) paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. According to the manufacturer, the power output exceeds 690 horsepower, with a weight (not disclosed) that should be around one ton. The price has not been revealed either, but in any case, the car is not for sale...
