04 Jul 08 16:41
Gordon Murray's T25
Gordon Murray - the man behind the McLaren F1 - has revealed more details of his T25 project to develop a super-economical yet affordable city car.
The T25, named as it's his 25th car, will weigh between 800-1000kg, a good 400kg less than the average car its size yet not so light that safety is compromised - Murray is aiming for at least a four-star score in the Euro NCAP crash tests.
Target reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is to emit less than half of the class average, with similar fuel savings. And the car will cost 'substantially less than current small cars', too.
The T25 has been developed from the start to be cheap to build and produce: it can even be shipped abroad in a flat-pack type arrangement for final assembly for a local market, and it will be simple to put together.
Its manufacturing process also necessitates only low carbon dioxide emissions, radically reducing the car's environmental impact over its entire lifecycle by an estimated 40%.
The car has 20% fewer individual components than average, and its separate body/chassis structure also allows for a variety of different body styles as well as 'MPV flexibility' and up to six different seating/load-space configurations within the standard layout.
Intriguingly, it's going to be small enough that three cars can fit 'in one parallel parking space' (sideways-on) and two 'in one motorway lane', contributing to an easing in congestion. An image released shows an overhead view: it's smaller than even a Smart Fortwo.
Murray's first complete prototypes will make their debut in early 2009. Backed by American venture capitalists Mohr Davidow Ventures and the UK's Caparo Group, he now employs 29 people at Gordon Murray Design Ltd.
Other partners involved in the T25 project include Prodrive, working on the powertrain and vehicle development, and GEO Technology, working on the engine.
No word yet at to what that powertrain might entail, but Murray mentions 'low to zero' emissions, yet also a 'better power-to-weight ratio than the average 2-litre luxury saloon.'
Gordon Murray Design is currently in discussion with several prestigious companies and groups regarding both the sale of the T25 programme for volume production.'
Speaking at the 1st birthday party for his company, Murray added: 'We believe that the T.25 architecture and manufacturing process will represent the biggest step forward in our automotive world since the Model T Ford, exactly 100 years ago.'
