Gordon Murray unveils the T.33, the dream supercar?

You have loved the T.50, a supercar with a fan imagined by the pope of automotive engineering, Gordon Murray? The creator of the McLaren F1 has struck again with the T.33, a ''leaner'' version of the T.50.

“Assagie” is a way of speaking. Because with a naturally aspirated 12-liter V3.9 from Cosworth 612 horsepower, reaching 11 rpm and a maximum torque of 451 Nm delivered at 9 rpm, the T.000 is not really made for cruising, especially since it only weighs 1 090 kg ! Power is only sent to the rear wheels.

In reality, the engine, taken from the T.50, has been profoundly reworked in order to provide better smoothness of use: modified cylinder heads, camshafts, variable valve timing, intake and new exhaust and engine mapping are new. The X-Trac six-speed manual gearbox (total weight, 78 kg, unheard of in the segment) is also new. It will also be possible to opt for a sequential automatic transmission.

“The engine is the heart and soul of any supercar, says Gordon Murray. Andt to ensure driving perfection, it must be tailor-made, and atmospheric. We were lucky to have the world's largest V12 in the T.50 as a starting point. Yet nothing was taken for granted and no part was automatically taken over.

When we joined forces again with our technical partner Cosworth to create a bespoke engine for the T.33, every detail was carefully considered in depth. Many systems and components have been redesigned and redesigned to strive for excellence, and we are 100% convinced that the GMA.2 V12 perfectly matches the driving characteristics of the T.33. »

The exterior design of the supercar reflects this desire to tone down the T.50. No turbine this time on the program, but the former technical director of McLaren in Formula 1 was able to obtain a level of ground effect “30% larger than a conventional supercar.”

How ? Thanks to PBLC, Passive Boundary Layer Control. Behind this nebulous term (and untranslatable into the language of Molière), hides an ingenious system, under the bodywork. At the front of the car, an air intake channels air under the floor.

No, this is not a gearbox from the 1980s, but from 2022. © Gordon Murray

The ground effect dynamics provided by the PBLC system freed Gordon Murray and his design team from the need to equip the T.33 with the wings, skirts and vents that adorn most modern supercars. The only concession is the movable rear spoiler, which deploys automatically, but can also be activated by the driver. The rear wing also offers a high downforce mode, increasing downforce and an enhanced aerodynamic braking function.

Inside, forget the huge touchscreens and connect to the road. This is the message sent by Gordon Murray with a passenger compartment for two people and a very simple dashboard. “Our goal since day one of this project has been to deliver absolute driving perfection. And while the engine may be the heart and soul of a supercar, the cabin and its controls provide the space through which the driver engages with the engine and other elements of the car. The driver-centric interior of the T.33 allows you to enjoy every journey, no matter how short, without distraction and also offers the possibility of undertaking longer journeys. »

The holy grail of any car enthusiast. © Gordon Murray

In this regard, there is no point in talking about price. But we give it to you anyway: 1,6 million euros, excluding taxes of course. Only 100 copies will be produced and delivered… in two years, in 2024!