Gordon Murray Automotive unveils limited edition supercar
Gordon Murray’s limited edition T.50 is named after former teamate Niki Lauda and shoots for the ultimate track experience
Gordon Murray Automotive has unveiled a limited-run supercar – the T.50 Niki Lauda. Named after the legendary F1 world champion and former teammate of Murray, the supercar was developed in parallel with the T.50 but has been optimised for the racetrack with hundreds of new components.
Design-wise, the car treads a balance between aerodynamics and retaining the proportions of the T.50. The most noticeable difference is the central fin aimed at enhancing stability and adorned with a Niki Lauda logo. The front of the car features sculpted barge boards to improve airflow to the side ducts while prominent splitter and dive planes further reflect the car’s aero-influenced design.
“The styling of the T.50s is completely aero driven, but still attractive. There’s not one body panel carried over from the T.50, but the road car has such a strong and classic shape that it still manages to shine through,” says Murray.
Power comes from a redesigned version of the original T.50’s Cosworth 3.9-litre V12, producing 725bhp, which, coupled with the car’s 852kg mass courtesy of its lightweight carbon fibre monocoque will create face-melting speeds. The central fin will produce 1500kg of downforce to ensure optimum track performance.
“We had no interest in achieving the ultimate lap time or creating an over-tyred and over-downforced spaceship at the expense of driver involvement,” Murray continues. “Ultimately, you have to possess an F1 driver level of skill and fitness to get the best out of them.”
On the inside, which is accessed by dihedral doors, it is all about the driver, who occupies a carbon-fibre with fore and aft adjustment and is controlled by a rectangular steering wheel. Ostensibly a two-seater, buyers can specify the car as a single-seater to further improve performance.
Just 25 T.50s Niki Laudas will be made, costing £3.1m (before taxes). Production will start in January 2023 at Gordon Murray Automotive’s manufacturing centre in Dunsfold, Surrey, UK, after the run of 100 T.50 supercars is completed.