The T.50 was only the beginning for Gordon Murray Automotive, and their newest ultimate driving machine now goes by the name of T.50s Niki Lauda. Don’t get confused though, it may have only gained an S, and the name of a legendary driver, but these two cars are extremely different. As GMA puts it, the new T.50s Niki Lauda is “an on track experience like no other car to date”, and judging by the specs, we believe them!
Giving the GMA T.50s Niki Lauda its power is a Cosworth-designed 3.9-liter V12, putting out up to 725 horsepower at an incredible 11,500 rpm. The rev limiter doesn’t stop there, however, and tops out at just over 12,000 rpm. The engine gets its air through a newly designed, roof-mounted RAM induction airbox, which feeds 12 separate throttle bodies and helps achieve that 725 figure. A newly-developed, straight-through exhaust system has also been implemented, letting that V12 exhale and create a remarkable sound. Because it is strictly a track car, the GMA T.50S Niki Lauda does without catalytic converters.
A first look at the T.50s Niki Lauda will have you mesmerized by the aerodynamics. Covered in completely new aero, the T.50s combines to create an incredible 3,300 lbs of downforce. This is in part due to a massive 1,758mm-wide, rear-mounted delta wing, similar to the wing Murray had on the front of his own race-car. The front of the T.50s features a splitter that can generate huge load figures to balance out those from the rear wing. A central fin stretches from the roof to the rear lip of the car, and helps dramatically with yaw stability — it features the name of Niki Lauda.
Built around a specially developed, lightweight carbon fiber monocoque, the T.50s Niki Lauda is completely optimized for weight reduction and structural rigidity. The car was constructed with carbon fiber wrapped around a honeycomb aluminum core while the exterior body panels of the car are also unique to the T.50s, which are made of an ultra-lightweight carbon fiber. The T.50s also uses the same forged aluminum front and rear double wishbone suspension system as its processor, the T.50. The springs, dampers, and anti-roll bar, however, were all optimized for track performance.
Moving on to the interior of the T.50s, you’ll find a cabin which is completely race-car oriented, with a driver-focused central seating position. The center seat is made up of carbon fiber and secures the driver with a six-point harness. Two seats sit behind the driver, both complete with a four-point harness. Much of the rest of the interior is very simple, only giving the driver the key controls that they need.
It is with great honor that the T.50s was name after Niki Lauda. As Professor Gordon Murray CBE puts it, “The T.50s is named in honour of Niki to commemorate his famous win with the Brabham BT46B fan car in the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix. Niki was a great racing driver and he was also a good friend and it is absolutely fitting that we are launching the T.50s Niki Lauda on his birthday. Niki would have appreciated the innovation and engineering detail in our car.” The birth of the T.50s not only involves to racing legends, Gordon Murray and Niki Lauda, but will also receive help from Dario Franchitti, who will be helping with dynamic development.
The Gordon Murray Automotive T.50s will be limited to just 25 units, each given a price right around $4.3 million, and will begin production at the end of the year.
