Gordon Murray T.33, A Wonderful Analogue Supercar

Gordon Murray T.33

A Wonderful Analogue Supercar

| BY SOMNATH CHATTERJEE

As the world moves to an increasingly digital age, our obsession with rekindling our love affair with analogue trinkets from the past knows no bounds. It is the same with supercars as sales of old supercars with manual gearboxes are growing along with special naturally aspirated engined cars appreciating in value. We seek solace in analogue things and that sentiment seems to be shared with the new supercar from Gordon Murray. If you do not know already, he is the father of the McLaren F1 and a genius when it comes to combining new age materials alongside classic musical instruments like a V12 engine or even a manual gearbox. Gordon Murray Automotive created the T.50 which is a hardcore hypercar with a three-seater lay-out like the F1 and is built to replicate the value of the F1 albeit within a modern-day supercar mold. It is fast yet comes with analogue driving characteristics embedded in it. However, it is also stratospherically priced at $3 million a piece which means it is more of a Billionaire collector toy. That said, the more accessible T.33- expected to be priced at $1.83 million, comes across as a more approachable supercar with dripping the core values of what Gordon Murray emphasizes.

Hence, the T.33 is not your average supercar. Let us explain.

In essence, like the T.50, it is a rare, hand-built automotive sculpture with minimalism sprinkled all over. That said, unlike the T.50, the T.33 is less hardcore and designed for long distance touring. There is luggage space, a conventional two-seater lay-out and even an option for a paddle shift gearbox. A six-speed manual transmission is offered with a low inertia clutch and a Limited-Slip Differential (LSD). Whatever be the case, Gordon Murray is obsessed with lightness as explained by the fact that the gearbox weighs 82kg while being the world’s lightest supercar unit. The paddle shift gearbox is also the lightest of its kind.

Amongst this whiff of traditional analogue mechanisms like a stick shift, the T.33 is being built like any bona-fide supercar with exotic materials. It is entirely built around a carbon fiber monocoque and features cored carbon fiber panels. The lightness adds to the flexibility and also the performance of the car. Hence, that’s why it does not need some heavy battery system to make it go very fast. Yes, the T.33 uses a traditional gas-powered motor- as it should be! The engine is a 3.9-liter V12 which revs to 11,100rpm and produces 615PS @ 10,500rpm and 451Nm @ 9,000rpm. Supplies by Cosworth, the engine weighs 178kg but provides a driving experience where the driver has more revs to play with along with embracing a beautiful V12 soundtrack. Everything is a mix and match of the old and new with a hydraulically assisted steering system providing a more layered rich, steering feedback to the Carbon Ceramic- something of a norm at this end of the supercar game.

Even the interior is simple but made for the act of driving above anything else. The steering wheel is made from carbon fiber while unnecessary distractions are simply thrown out. All control, including the rev counter are all analogue while basic gadgetry is still provided. Some of the switchgear is from aluminum alloy including the pedals for a tactile feel.

With a small production run, owners would be catered to their ultimate whims and fancies including high levels of personalization. The T.33 is very much what Gordon Murray wants and likes along with showcasing what’s currently plaguing the rest of the supercar industry with too much complication.