WATCH: Dario Franchitti develop the GMA T.50

There’s no more privileged place for an automotive journalist to be entrusted with access than to the development of a new model.

The inside running on the creation of even everyday models is closely held.

If auto media outlets are let in it’s usually with long embargoes and promises of no public content until well within the vehicle’s go-to-market period.

High-performance, dare we say ground-breaking, supercars or hypercars are even less likely to see outsiders let into ‘the tent’.

We’ve seen 4x4 start-up INEOS use video to good effect to create interest in its new 2022 INEOS Grenadier.

Teasers are a constant from car companies, as evidenced by the recent new-generation 2022 Ford Ranger content.

But the level of access and transparency of the video content being created by Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) in cahoots with multi Indy 500 winner and all-round car-nutter, Dario Franchitti, is even more noteworthy and worth watching.

GMA is in the midst of developing the T.50, the brainchild of legendary ex-Formula 1 engineer and designer, Gordon Murray.

Targeting a weight of under 1000kg, the 2022 GMA T.50 promises performance akin to a Le Mans racer and is powered by a naturally-aspirated 3.9-litre V12 developed by Cosworth and revving to a stratospheric 12,100rpm.

The car features innovative aero and more than a nod to the Brabham F1 ‘Fan Car’ Murray designed.

And if that’s not hard-core enough, GMA has even released details of a (more) track-focused version which pays homage to the late, great Niki Lauda. The suggestions are that GMA has most, if not all, of the limited run of Laudas sold at more than $5.5m a pop.

Indeed, it’s highly likely that if you haven’t put your name down for even one of the ‘cooking-model’ three-seat centre-driving-position T.50s already you’ll miss out!

Which makes the need for the sort of publicity Franchitti’s fly-on-the-wall videos are creating surplus to requirements – but doesn’t make them any less engaging.

Franchitti is very clearly part of the GMA publicity strategy but his enthusiasm for the new venture is no less engaging for the viewer.

So far there are around a dozen of the videos, with the most recent embedded hereabouts.

The focus of the latest video is the amazing ‘soundtrack’ of the GMA T.50’s V12 engine.

Even if you’re not a fan of the Scottish IndyCar star (and who hasn’t got a bromance going on with Dario), the T.50’s engine has to be heard to be believed.