Gordon Murray teases McLaren F1 sequel

The father of the original McLaren F1, Gordon Murray, has announced his car-maker is readying a wild V12-powered spiritual successor that will be on sale by 2022.

Set to cost £2.2 million (A$4m) when it arrives, almost 30 years after the original McLaren F1 debuted, the new T.50 supercar has been created by the same ex-Formula 1 designer and engineer and sold under the Gordon Murray Automotive brand.

Sharing the original's three-seat layout, which places the driver in the centre, Murray announced the new car will "improve upon its predecessor in every way".

Set to be limited to just 100 models, the all-new T.50 shares much in common with the original McLaren F1 under the bonnet – including a naturally-aspirated V12 powertrain – in this case a small 3.9-litre (the original F1 was powered by a BMW-sourced 6.1-litre.)

Murray says T.50's V12, developed by British F1 engine builder Cosworth, will produce 485kW and 450Nm but rev to 12,100rpm – the highest revving engine ever used in a production car.

That power figure is also on the conservative side, as its roof scoop is claimed to produce a ram-air effect swelling the peak figure to more than 520kW.

To keep weight down, the V12 will not feature any electrification and all its force will be directed to the rear wheels.

Braking will be via a set of carbon-ceramic brakes clamped by a set of featherweight alloy calipers.

Speaking of mass, the T.50 will be based around an ultra lightweight carbon-fibre monocoque that limits the kerb figure to just 980kg - the same weight as most city cars but with more than six times the power.

Size-wise, the new supercar will be smaller than a Porsche 911 but with a superior 50:50 weight distribution.

Despite tight packaging, the T.50 will be capable of GT-style cruising with plenty of luggage space.

New tech set to be introduced on Murray's F1 follow-up includes pioneering aerodynamics that uses fans to suck the floor to the car – a technique used by the F1 designer on the 1978 Brabham BT46B 'Fan Car' that won the one and only race it competed.

To help develop its unique aero package, Murray says it has teamed up with an unnamed F1 team.

Despite the McLaren F1 record-breaking reputation, Murray has already ruled out chasing Bugatti and Koenigsegg for top speed honours with the new T.50, saying his latest creation will be judged on the experience, rather than the numbers - hence its manual transmission.

Commenting on the T.50 Murray said: "I have absolutely no interest in chasing records for top speed or acceleration. Our focus is instead on delivering the purest, most rewarding driving experience of any supercar ever built – but, rest assured, it will be quick".

Until recently, Murray has been heavily involved with the design and engineering TVR's first sports car in more than a decade, but that project has been reportedly delayed.