The naturally aspirated V12 lives on.
The designer behind the iconic McLaren F1 will soon return with its spiritual successor. Almost one year ago, Gordon Murray announced plans to launch the ultimate analog supercar, the T.50, through his own company, Gordon Murray Design (GMA). Described as "the purest, lightest, and most driver-focused supercar ever," production will be limited to a mere 100 examples. Like the F1, the T.50 will pack a custom-built naturally aspirated V12 engine, only this new one doesn't come from BMW, but rather Cosworth. This naturally aspirated 3.9-liter V12 will produce somewhere in excess of 650 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.
And now UK-based Cosworth says it has completed constructing its first full-size engine prototype. Needless to say, it sounds absolutely incredible.
GMA has just released a new video on Twitter showing the engine revving to 1,500 rpm. Capable of revving all the way to 12,100 rpm, what you're hearing here is only a sample of this awesome engine's potential. To compare, Cosworth was also tasked with building the NA V12 for the Aston Martin Valkyrie, a 6.5-liter V12 with upwards of 1,000 hp. However, it's expected to max out at 11,400 rpm.
But why is GMA opting for a smaller 3.9-liter unit instead of something bigger and potentially even more powerful? Because a bigger engine adds unnecessary weight and weight is the ultimate enemy of achieving maximum performance.
Murray has said the T.50's engine weighs less than 400 pounds. Not only is it more powerful than the F1's V12, but also lighter. Upon completion, this new engine will send all of its power to the rear wheels through an also all-new H-pattern six-speed manual transmission. The T.50's target weight is only 2,160 pounds. To compare, the F1 tips the scale at around 2,500 pounds.
T.50 production is slated to take place in the UK and will be limited to only 100 examples, each priced from around $2.54 million. That doesn't sound all that bad compared to McLaren F1s that sell for around $20 million these days.
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