Both Cosworth and Gordon Murray are some of the world's most renowned names in the automotive industry. The first is credited as the maker of some incredible engines. The second virtually needs no introduction when discussing his McLaren F1 design legacy. And we all know that Cosworth and Murray joined hands for the development of the GMA T.50 hypercar. Let the fast times roll with great aerodynamics and a 12,100 rpm V12 voice.
Gordon Murray Automotive rocked the world late last year when the T.50 supercar was revealed sporting a massive fan at the rear. The spiritual successor of the McLaren F1 is aimed at breaking new aerodynamic grounds and is also an ode to the classic prowess of the elegant V12 combustion engine.
The official global introduction of the GMA T.50 will take place on August 4th and the company has now revealed all the juicy details pertaining to the unique Cosworth GMA V12 engine that will be used inside the hypercar. According to GMA we are dealing with “highest revving, fastest responding, most power dense, and lightest naturally aspirated V12 road car engine ever.”
The 3.9-litre V12 is inspired by a historic design – the 3.3-litre V12 of the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO – so we already know Gordon has set high benchmarks for the Cosworth engineers. The London-based company has so far delivered – alongside the technical details GMA also went to social media to reveal the first engine fire-up on the dynamometer stand.
While we are only allowed to check up the V12 sound at 1,500 rpm Cosworth did promise it will follow up with a full throttle jump to 12,100 rpm.
Meanwhile, we can tell you the final figures as well: 3,994 cubic centimeters, 663 PS at 11,500 rpm and 467 Nm (344 lb.ft) at 9,000 rpm with 71% of maximum torque already available at 2,500 rpm.
Breath in, breath out and let us continue: engine fuel cut-off comes at 12,100 rpm, there is also a 672 PS per ton power-to-weight ratio and the 166 PS-per-liter power density that bodes well with the 178 kg (392 lbs.) displayed for the total engine weight.
While we are still recovering from delivering this high figure count, we should also note the GMA T.50 was designed for classic purists. As such, the company has also revealed the bespoke short-throw manual transmission with just six gears will feature a manual H pattern (with reverse lock-out for the forgetful). The unit weighs just 80.5 kg (177 pounds) and was developed by British specialist Xtrac.
It will send the engine’s power through a limited-slip differential of the equally historic Salisbury type.
The cherry on the cake, GMA also promises the best sounding V12 ever as the T.50 employs a “Direct Path Induction Sound” system that was first deployed on the McLaren F1 and upgraded for the 21st century inside the T.50.
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News