Automotive design legend Professor Gordon Murray, who is arguably most famous for his work on the McLaren F1, may have given his 1990s masterpiece some new competition. The veteran auto engineer’s company has announced two new supercars, the GMSV S1 LM and the Le Mans GTR.
The classically inspired Le Mans GTR “draws on Murray’s own longtail Le Mans racers,” while pulling inspiration from other longtail vehicles of the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s. The “Le-Mans” references don’t stop at the styling. Murray will be building 24 Le Mans GTRs — though if you want one, you shouldn’t get your hopes up. Like many limited-run supercars, they’re already sold out.
In terms of unique features, the Le Mans GTR’s “acoustic cabin” sets it apart from the rest. A finely tuned engine will produce a great sound, and the GTR’s v12 is no exception there. The vehicle’s “roof-mounted ram air intake” also serves a dual purpose. It should pipe a bit of that V12 chorus right over your head, adding to the “orchestral cabin experience” the vehicle apparently offers.
The Professor himself had this to say about the new Le Mans GTR: “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.”
Two new cars and a new Gordon Murray Company?
As breathtaking as the Le Mans GTR is, it’s not the only new offering from Gordon Murray, nor is it the only Le Mans-inspired vehicle in the company’s Monterey Car Week lineup. Stylistically, the GMSV S1 LM takes heavy inspiration from Gordon Murray’s iconic 1995 Le Mans-winning version of the F1.
Powering the GMSV S1 LM is a specially developed 4.3-litre V12 engine which cranks up to over 12,000 RPM and spits out close to 700 horsepower.
As for whether you can have one or even expect to see an “S1 LM” in the wild, again, it’s not likely. That S1 stands for “Special One,” and it’s rare enough to make the Le Mans GTR look as common as a RAV-4. Just five bespoke vehicles are being built, and they’re all going to the original commissioning client.
The special vehicles will not be handled by Gordon Murray Automotive. Instead, they will be built by a brand new company: Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV). In addition to the two new models, GMSV will be responsible for various “bespoke customer commissions, limited-edition designs, and heritage-inspired models” going forward.
