Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

[ajprice]

It was on BBC4 lastnight, partly about his F1 designs, partly about the McLaren F1 supercar, and partly about the T25 city car he's working on. On the design and build, they compare it to the Smart a lot, on the road and stripping one down to measure the weight of individual parts (they stripped a Mitsubishi i too). Side by side with a smart it's a foot shorter and 8 inches narrower, and seats 3.

'How to go faster and influence people' it will be on iplayer now

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Community/Car-Magazines-Blogs/Ben-Oliver-Blog2/Gordon-Murray-documentary-on-BBC4-CARs-preview/

[Ian54]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

Thanks for the "Heads Up" on that; I hadn't seen the programme advertised but just watched it on iPlayer. I don't see how anyone could fail to be impressed by Gordon Murray and the work he has produced over the years and I wonder how many Smart owners will convert to T25s, or other GM designs, when they become available for purchase?

Ta.

[ritzy roadster]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

There was an interesting article about the T25 and the electric one in Top Gear Magazine a couple of months ago (I think). It was an interesting article and review of the car driven by James May. I was disappointed to read that Gordon wasn't seriously considering going into production, he's more interested in the production process and a material he's developed nicknamed Gordon Fibre. I think his idea is to sell the production process and blueprints for the car.

[Hogster]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

Absolutely fascinating documentary – I was on my way here to start a thread on it myself!

Although the mpg of the petrol T25 sounds initially a little disappointing at 74mpg, I think many people are mistakenly comparing it to *diesel* cars like VW's BlueMotion range and saying why is the T25's mpg so low ... It's slightly lower than the Fiat 500 TwinAir's quoted mpg figure interestingly. If he decided to design a diesel alternative I'm sure it would get over 100mpg.

Really inspiring programme, reminds me a lot of the 'How To Build' episode about the McLaren MP4-12C.


David

[ajprice]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

Still no mention of production, but Autocar have done a test drive http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/murray/t25

[madDan]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

Ask yourselves this while you are at it, how come a two seater car using a smart 600cc engine is giving 74mpg? smart=bloat

[Thrumbleux]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

Partly because reconfigured and without a turbo it makes (from memory) only 45-50hp.
The T25 is built particularly leanly though.
The problem it has I think is that where fortwos were initially bought for there endearing looks (something that is getting progressively lessened with each new version of the 451) the T25 will probably be shunned for its looks. Pretty it aint, and in this image concious country - looks are all.

[J500ANT]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

I'm not keen on that flip front thing, if you slam it into the back of something you're never going to get out.

[Z06-LITE]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

Won't the interior get very wet when opening the flip front on a rainy day?

[madDan]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

not as wet as a crossblade!

[Evilution]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

I'm confused, it states a smart 660cc engine which has obviously never existed yet the shot of the engine shows a 451 non turbo engine which would be 999cc. Would they really bother making these engines 660cc?

[Kapt. Q]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

I'm confused, it states a smart 660cc engine which has obviously never existed yet the shot of the engine shows a 451 non turbo engine which would be 999cc. Would they really bother making these engines 660cc?

Yes it is a little confusing, the 5 speed 'modified' Smart gearbox suggests 451 too. 'Improved for faster shifting' sound very interesting as well.

Cheers!

[Thrumbleux]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

Would he have downsized the engine to suit the Japanese 'K' regs?

''Its modest but enthusiastic Smart engine (with special friction-reducing bore coatings for extra efficiency)''

Could this be relinering to achieve his desired coatings and reduced bore to give 660cc?
Would make for a pretty undersquare engine though and 77hp/litre suggests it breathes better than that at higher rpm. Is there a smaller capacity version of the 451 unit used in Japan in one of Mitsi's own (K) cars?

[Big Performance]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

Mitsubishi i

[Thrumbleux]

Re: Gordon Murray F1 and city car programme

Mitsubishi i

Lifted straight from there then?

Perhaps 451 fuel consumption didn't appeal to GM.