Gordon Murray Automotive: T.50s Niki Lauda

Gordon Murray Automotive has unveiled its T.50s Niki Lauda track-focused supercar for the first time. Developed in parallel with the T.50, the most driver-centric supercar ever built, the T.50s Niki Lauda has been conceived, designed and engineered to offer the ultimate on-track driving experience.

Like the T.50, the T.50s Niki Lauda has been designed and engineered without compromise but with an even more extreme specification. It weighs just 852kg and will be powered by a substantially redesigned version of our 3.9-litre V12, producing 725bhp, revving to 12,100rpm and going through a six-speed paddle-shift gearbox.

The 3.9-litre V12 engine is a dramatically different version of the engine that powers the T.50. It is even more powerful and faster-revving too, delivering 711PS at 11,500rpm, on its way to a 12,100rpm rev-limit. At 178hp/litre, the specific power output of the T.50s Niki Lauda’s V12 exceeds that of our all-conquering DFV Formula One engine, the most successful F1 engine to date. The power-to-weight ratio of 835PS/tonne betters that of a naturally aspirated LMP1 car.

The T.50s Niki Lauda’s engine is fed by a newly designed, roof-mounted, high- performance RAM induction airbox (which can increase maximum power to 725bhp). The maximum torque figure is 485Nm, produced at 9,000rpm. A newly developed, bespoke, straight-through exhaust system also takes the engine sound to a new level. Right through the rev-range it promises to be one of the greatest and most characterful sounding cars ever made.

Our state-of-the-art V12 pushes the boundaries of engine design even further, with many new components. Changes include completely revised cylinder heads and camshafts, plus a higher compression ratio of 15:1. A simpler induction system features 12 throttle bodies on top of the engine, fed directly by the racing-style air box.

Through meticulous attention to detail, this new iteration of our V12 weighs just 162kg, 16kg less than what was already the lightest road going V12 engine ever. The weight-saving measures extend to the intake, exhaust and control systems, as well as the engine itself. All the valves are made from titanium, while there is no variable valve timing due to the additional weight of the geartrain and electronic control system.

Extract from GMA T.50s press release