Gordon Murray, the creator of the famous McLaren F1, is now working on a supercar that will resemble the legendary British shot in a lot. He recently revealed the details of his engine.
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It makes no sense to introduce Gordon Murray to automotive experts. For years, he designed Formula 1 cars, whether for the Brabham or McLaren teams, but became most famous for his work on the McLaren F1, once the world’s fastest car. Recently, he has shifted to the creation of ecological minicars, but is currently working on something that has earned him the greatest glory. The T.50 will be a McLaren F1-style supercar.
The car is set for a show in 2021, with the first customers seeing it a year later, but Gordon Murray is already gradually revealing its details. After the first hint of shapes, it reveals the heart itself.
“Having a clean sheet of paper and setting out to create the best, highest-spinning, most beautifully crafted, and best-sounding engine in the world is something I’ve been waiting for for years.” comments on the basic character of the unit used by Murray himself.
We have known for some time that an unexpectedly compact 12-cylinder fork will take care of the drive today. The engine developed by the famous Cosworth company will have a volume of only 3.9 liters, which is really low for today’s V12 conditions.
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The inspiration was the Honda units used in McLaren monoposts or the twelve-cylinder BMW from McLaren F1, from which their ideas were used, which were further improved. Murray emphasizes that this unit should still look like an engine, so it will not be covered by a number of covers.
Intensive tests of the unit are now underway, so we already know that it will reach 663 horsepower (488 kW) and 467 Nm of torque.
Otherwise, the unit uses the latest technologies. The pistons are made of aluminum, the valves are titanium and there is also a 48V starter-generator as a replacement for a classic belt alternator. This solution can add up to 37 kW to the internal combustion engine. The compact Xtrac transmission then takes care of the transmission of power to the rear wheels.
The specialty is a construction that relies on high-strength aluminum alloys, a crankshaft made of lightweight steel or a whole range of titanium components, such as connecting rods, valves and a clutch housing. This, combined with the relatively small volume, means that this twelve-cylinder fork weighs only 178 kilograms, which is a remarkably low number per unit with so many cylinders. Maybe Lamborghini weighed 234 kilograms on the 6.5-liter Aventador twelve-cylinder at the time of its premiere.
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Compact dimensions are also an advantage. The entire engine is only 41 centimeters high, which will help the car’s low center of gravity. After all, low weight is one of the creators’ goals. Thanks to the combination of a light unit and a light construction, the T.50 should weigh only 980 kilograms.
The engine will also excite you with its work, as the red field will be up to 12,100 rpm. “I was amazed at how Cosworth and Xtrac use the latest technology and manufacturing methods. For example, I asked for two modes, one limited to what I call a Ferrari speed, around 9500 rpm, and the other allowing full power, “ comments Murray, noting that the engine will not need so much rotation in normal use. As much as 71% of the torque will be available at 2500 rpm.
Supersport T.50 is to be introduced to the world soon, the work is still going according to plan. Unlike other projects, Murray was not so much affected by measures against the spread of coronavirus, as many key suppliers are local. “I’m thrilled that this is a completely British product,” the creator himself comments on it.
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