We’re calling it now: Professor Gordon Murray is the king of the V12 engine – or at least he should be, after unveiling two new supercars at Monterey Car Week with V12 engines and Le Mans in their blood. These aren’t variants of the GMA T.50 and T.33, either; they’re new cars from a new brand, and the first of many vehicles to come from the recently formed Gordon Murray Special Vehicles, or GMSV for short.
The GMSV Le Mans GTR and GMSV S1 LM introduce us to what GMSV is all about, creating even lower-volume – but arguably more special – supercars created by Gordon, but which don’t quite fit in with the seven core pillars at the heart of Gordon Murray Automotive. These represent two of the three arms of GMSV, specifically the SV Design and Bespoke product lines, the Le Mans GTR from the former and the S1 LM from the latter. But enough waffling, let’s find out about the cars.
Stemming from the SV Design arm of GMSV, the Le Mans GTR is derived from an existing GMA platform. In this case, it’s the T.50, which means you get the Cosworth-developed 4.0-liter V12 revving to 12,100 rpm and a manual gearbox to go along with it. The spiritual successor to the F1 itself, the T.50 was a logical candidate to underpin such a car, but instead of building an F1 GTR-aping T.50, Murray has drawn inspiration from decades of iconic longtail racers from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Cars named as inspiration include the Porsche 917, Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3, and Matra-Simca MS660.
GMSV Le Mans GTR Specifications
Engine
4.0-Liter GMA Cosworth V12
Power*
661 HP @ 11,000 RPM
Torque*
353 lb-ft @ 8,000 RPM
Redline
12,100 RPM
Transmission
6-Speed Manual
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
No. Of Cars
24
*Figures based on T.50 outputs.
The longtail body shape allowed Gordon to work on a new aerodynamic profile, leveraging enhanced Passive Boundary Layer Control to reduce drag and maximize downforce, with ground effect aerodynamics developed by the front splitter, deep side skirts, and twin-channel rear diffuser. Because of its track-focused aero package, the Le Mans GTR is able to generate all its downforce without the need for the T.50’s rear-mounted fan, lending the rear a far sleeker appearance. What doesn’t disappear is the ram air intake over the cockpit to maximize induction noise, while a new double exhaust is said to maximize the V12 soundtrack.
“Longtail racing cars perfectly combine aerodynamic benefit and aesthetic balance, I’ve always loved their mix of considered engineering and flowing design. Our Le Mans GTR timelessly reimagines the longtail racers I’ve admired since I began designing cars, adding contemporary aerodynamics and our exquisitely engineered chassis, engine, and transmission.”
– Professor Gordon Murray
Because of its track focus, GMSV has made some significant compromises to daily usability, with stiffer, lighter suspension, larger Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and cooling and weight distribution optimized for track driving. Large frontal air intakes are matched to side-pod intakes for maximum cooling efficiency. The big mechanical change is in the solid-mounting of the engine to the chassis, albeit via a newly developed system that reduces much of the noise and vibration typically associated with such mounting.
Inside, the central seating layout remains, but several components are all-new. These include a newly designed dash with bespoke switches, dials, seat cushioning, and pedals.
To honor the 24 Hours of Le Mans, only 24 units will be built, each extensively customizable in the same way a regular T.50 might be. Various liveries are available to pay tribute to longtail racers of yesteryear, but customers can also design their own. Speaking of customer deliveries, the first cars are scheduled for completion as soon as 2026, with all 24 cars already spoken for. The price? GMSV won’t say.
If the Le Mans GTR is a broad love letter to Le Mans racers, then this is a tribute to Gordon’s own Le Mans victory with the McLaren F1 in 1995. Born from the Bespoke arm of GMSV, only five will be built, custom-commissioned by clients, with deliveries starting in 2026. While still loosely based on the T.50’s architecture, this is a very different beast, largely owing to what’s under the rear decklid. Instead of the 4.0-liter V12 from the T.50, this one will have a new 4.3-liter version thereof producing more than 690 horsepower, revving to 12,100 rpm, and deploying its power through a six-speed manual gearbox. Yes, please!
GMSV S1 LM Specifications
Engine
4.3-Liter GMA Cosworth V12
Power
Over 690 HP
Torque
Unconfirmed
Redline
12,100 RPM
Transmission
6-Speed Manual
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
No. Of Cars
5
And it’s a work of art, too, visible through a clear decklid to showcase the intricacy of the tailpipe design, ram air intake, inboard suspension, and a neat 30th anniversary plaque on the ram air intake plenum. And in true F1 style, there’s gold leaf heat shielding around the exhaust resonators.
Its design influence is a clear homage to the McLaren F1 Le Mans racer and the limited-edition F1 LM that followed, right down to the S1 LM’s logo and rear-end design. There’s definitely no fan here, but there is a quartet of tailpipes exiting below the bumper, above which stands a prominent dual-element wing, and on either side of which you’ll find a chunky twin-tunnel diffuser to aid with the ground effect aerodynamics. The front end is a curious design that lacks traditional headlights (it must have them, as it’s still road legal) and appears remarkably minimalistic, but hides subtle nods to the F1 LM with integrated air intakes. The aero profile is so extensive that even the high-mounted wing mirrors are aerodynamically optimized to allow air to flow through them instead of around them.
Inside, the three-seat layout remains, but the seats are aggressive race-style buckets with mesh sides for maximum airflow, and prominent bolsters on the headrests to help hold your helmet in place during lateral G maneuvers. Headsets with ear defenders and microphones give you an idea of how loud the new 4.3-liter V12 is likely to be, and the five-point racing harnesses prove the S1 LM means business.
Each car will be customized to the buyer’s taste, but the fixed elements like the racy instrumentation have been reinterpreted in a mechanically artful way, inspired by horology in a fashion that gives the S1 LM a vaguely Pagani-esque presence. The same can’t be said for the upholstery of the central seat and dash, which, in one example, is a wonderfully retro quilted silver padding that looks oh-so-90s, while in another, it’s green tartan accompanied by a wooden shift knob. Gold accents are yet another reminder of the famous gold leaf used in the F1’s engine bay.
Having spoken to Gordon about his love of Le Mans and what was to come earlier in the year, seeing these first two GMSV supercars has left me with no doubt that there is no one else who could be crowned king of the supercar more than Gordon Murray. He’s adamant these are not hypercars, and even when he breaks his own rules – thus necessitating a new company in GMSV – Gordon has crafted two incredibly beautiful, raw, and engaging machines that will age gracefully and remain icons forever.
The passion with which Gordon speaks of these cars is infectious, but it’s also genuine. These aren’t just cars; these are pieces of Gordon’s soul materialized for the rest of the world, or at least a select few buyers, to cherish and admire.
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