Gordon Murray goes back to future with new S1
The 'touring-focused evolution' of the S1 LM has been unveiled at Pebble Beach. Jealous?
Given the reaction to last year’s S1 LM, which ranked somewhere between delirium and disbelief from all who saw it, Gordon Murray Automotive was hardly likely to leave it there. You’ll remember only five were ever commissioned, and one was sold for 20 million bucks. Demand and excitement were off the scale, even at an event crammed with exotics.
So, of course, there’s another S1 LM - it would be daft not to, right? Only now it’s just the S1, and probably it looks even more like the McLaren than the LM did, with 64 examples due to be built - or the same number as there were F1s. Still, if there’s a supercar from your back catalogue to redo, there aren’t any better.
The spec, as expected, is mouthwatering. The 4.2-litre V12, derived from the S1 LM and larger than used in the T.50, makes ‘up to 690hp’ and revs to 12,100rpm. With a focus on usability (at least compared to the LM), 81 per cent of the 369lb ft peak is from ‘as low as’ 2,500rpm, but certainly you’re still going to be busy on the six-speed manual to get the best from it.
GMA says the cable routing is straighter for this S1 than previous creations, for a ‘rifle-bolt’ - their words, not ours - shift feel ‘that remains central to the car’s physical connection.’ No artificial manuals here, just three pedals, half a dozen ratios (including a long sixth for cruising) and thousands of V12 revolutions - perfect.
Outright performance hasn’t been quoted yet, though the aim for this car is to undercut, with its carbon panels and lightweight wheels, a T.50 (which is a tonne dry); with almost 700hp available, it’s going to be more than fast enough.
Compared to the LM, the S1 understandably gets a less racy look, going without the rear wing and featuring larger headlights that aim to evoke the F1 concept seen at the 1992 Monaco GP (and which was slightly different to the final production car). Chassis-wise, the ride height is lifted a centimetre, the dampers reworked for ‘greater compliance’, and there are levels of assistance available for the power steering. Much of the LM’s underpinnings, however, are carried over, with identical width, track, tyres and suspension architecture. Nobody will want for driving sensation, that seems certain.
Where the S1 is obviously different from the LM is inside, with a focus on road-going habitability. That was always the F1 ethos - despite the name, it was always a road car first and foremost - so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see Gordon Murray continue on that path 30-odd years later. So there’s a proper sound system, rear-view camera, ‘luxurious cabin trim’, proper windows instead of Lexan sliders and wider opening doors. There will be no excuse not to drive it as much as possible, basically.
The 64 S1s will go all over the world, each individually numbered and with limitless spec possibilities. So don’t go getting a black one. As expected, the price hasn’t been shared, but we’re surely talking many millions given the precedent set by the LM (and F1 values).
The man himself added: “With the S1, we wanted to show how much beauty and purity there is in this design when the more extreme aerodynamic elements of the S1 LM are stripped away. It has the same intensity, response, and engineering integrity, but has been tuned for a different purpose. This is a car you could drive along the coast from Los Angeles to Monterey in real comfort, still enjoying every gearshift, every corner, and every note of the V12 when the road opens up. It is exclusive, analogue, and deeply driver-focused, but also more elegant, more refined, and more usable over distance.” Car of the show? You won’t find us disagreeing…
GM heavily interracts with his customers. He is obviously giving them what they want. S1 LM sold recently is the most expensive new car ever sold.
And then this - well - it looks right from every angle like the F1.
So all I’m saying is. The best pen work was done in 1995….
But at what point does it become a very expensive and very well engineered kit car? That s just a replica F1 with some LED s.
ETA: Next year it’s an S1GT with a slightly longer rear I assume?
And is this basically a nicked design? If it is, unless the original designer is being paid, it's pretty shameful.
I wonder if T50 buyers are pissed off...
ks so I don't have to show the reciepts.Ok for a track car but if you want to use it (as apparently this version is meant for) on the road then going for a long weekend or road trip with your beloved (wife or ?) will be no good at all with them sat behind you.
Who ever goes anywhere with three people?
I am a massive fan of Gordon and all he's achieved. He's clearly a charismatic genius with something genuinely in common with all of us. It's a shame he's trapped in a world where he can only flex his muscles with a customer base of the super rich. Some won't care and that's fine, but imagine a world where Toyota or Ford were like "this is our new 70k sports car, and guess who was the project lead..."
It's a pipe dream and probably has more barriers between it and reality than I can imagine, but so does the lovely thing in these photos if you're a primary school teacher, which I am 😂
Ok for a track car but if you want to use it (as apparently this version is meant for) on the road then going for a long weekend or road trip with your beloved (wife or ?) will be no good at all with them sat behind you.
Who ever goes anywhere with three people?
And then, if you want to, very occasionally, you can take passengers.
ks so I don't have to show the reciepts.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff