A stunning V12-powered supercar
Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) has revealed its next supercar, slotting in below the T.50 halo machine.
Called the T.33, it’s amore conventional two-seater than the T.50 with its central driving position, but it doesn’t compromise on much.
It uses the same 3.9-litre V12 as the T.50 with a slight retune for more accessibility. The rev limit has been reduced slightly to just 11,100rpm, with peak power of 452kW hitting at 10,500rpm. Torque maxes out at 451Nm, but because the engine has no forced induction, full twist comes in at 9500rpm.
Basically, drive it like a superbike, revving it to red line in every gear. Clever tuning has resulted in 75 per cent of the torque coming in from 2500rpm, so the T.33 doesn’t feel sluggish off the line.
The engine has the same heads as the T.50, albeit slightly modified, with new camshafts, variable valve timing, engine mapping, a new ram-air induction system, and a new exhaust. It is paired with a bespoke 6-speed transmission built by Xtrac, offered with either a traditional manual shifter or paddle-shifters.
‘‘The engine is the heart and soul of any supercar. And to ensure driving perfection, it must be bespoke, and it must be normally aspirated,’’ Gordon Murray said.
‘‘When we once again joined forces with our technical partner Cosworth to create a bespoke engine for the T.33, every single detail was pored over in painstaking depth. Numerous systems and components were reengineered and redesigned to pursue excellence, and we are 100thper cent confident that the GMA.2 V12 provides the perfect match for the T.33’s driving characteristics.’’
The chassis gets a similar iFrame-based construction as the T.50, using a unique, superlight carbon fibre monocoque and cored carbon fibre panels. GMA says it ‘‘delivers the perfect balance of torsional rigidity, and lightness, resulting in a car which is 300kg lighter than the average supercar.’’
All in, the T.33 weighs a claimed 1090kg.
A new suspension package was developed for the T.33, using lightweight double wishbones at each end in conjunction with coil springs over aluminium alloy dampers. Paired with a specially developed hydraulic steering system and carbon ceramic Brembo brakes, the T.33 should be a seriously well-handling car.
As you might expect, there is a lot of aerodynamic trickery going on, despite the relatively calm appearance.
According to the company, it is 30 per cent more effective than a conventional ground effect supercar.
All combined, it’s one of the prettiest supercars ever made, in my opinion. The halo-effect rear lights, twin exit exhaust, slim roof intake, and headlights that look a little like a Porsche 917 racer all look absolutely superb.
The cabin features no touchscreens, which might seem a bit off, butGMAwanted to create an interior without modern distractions.
There aren’t even column stalks. The indicators are operated by thumb-buttons on the carbon fibre steering wheel’s horizontal spokes.
The horn and high-beams are operated by paddles mounted behind the wheel, where gear shifters usually would be.
Interested? Get in quick, only 100 will be made, offered across the world. It’ll cost a bargain £1.37m (NZ$2,784,792), with deliveries expected from early 2024.