Monday 23rd October 2017

Gordon Murray launches independent carmaker

New, low-volume manufacturing division should see more Murray designs hitting the road soon

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This year marks several significant anniversaries for Gordon Murray. It's his 50th year in vehicle engineering and design, it's been 25 years since the McLaren F1 entered production, and a decade since his company - and its innovative iStream manufacturing process - launched.

He has, of course, put pen to paper on many noteworthy race and road vehicles during that time. From Senna's title winning MP4/4, to the Global Vehicle Trust's flatpack OX, via the aformentioned F1; the one thing to connect all of his concepts, whatever the segment, remains an attempt to push the boundaries of design.

Today's announcement concerns the foundation of Gordon Murray Automotive, a new company which will take his creations off the drawing board and into limited-run production. The firm's first car is described as a flagship model, launching under a new Gordon Murray brand and set to "buck the current trend for ever more complicated and heavy vehicles."

The designer himself quoted as saying, "With our first new car, we will demonstrate a return to the design and engineering principles that have made the McLaren F1 such an icon." Something to look forward to then!

Alongside production of that car, the new business will also be able to manufacture vehicles on a low-volume basis for external clients, using an evolution of the iStream system. Further details will be released on Friday November 3rd at the 'One Formula' exhibition, created to celebrate those 50 years of outstanding automotive design. Which just leaves the question: which one has been your favourite?

[sidesauce]

Hmm, interesting... Will watch this space with interest.

[Escapegoat]

> "With our first new car, we will demonstrate a return to the design and engineering principles that have made the McLaren F1 such an icon."

Another LCC Rocket?

[Mudgey]

FFS, can somebody please offer to re-design their logo? I can't be the only one who wouldn't want to buy a car with a mermaid blow-drying her hair stuck to the bonnet...

[CABC]

Escapegoat said:

> "With our first new car, we will demonstrate a return to the design and engineering principles that have made the McLaren F1 such an icon."

Another LCC Rocket?

it could be along those lines, maybe at 900kgs and 2 seater.
build simplicity with iStream and then partner with regional brands to help sell and support it.
if it were an EV it wouldn't even need conventional dealer support, other outlets such as domestic appliance repair shops could adapt their outlets.

[anonymous-user]

My first thought was "Ouch, to compete with the new TVR then..?"

[urquattroGus]

Gordon Murray has a side line in hair dryers and or hair salons!

Who'd of thought it.

And now you're going to tell me that Dyson will make car's as well as hair dryers...

[C70R]

Is this in any way related to "Gordon Murray Design", which has been promising a "revolutionary" city car and supercar concept since 2007? Has this guy actually done anything tangible since the mid-90s, or is he just trading on his F1 cred?

[Dakkon]

thecook101 said:

My first thought was "Ouch, to compete with the new TVR then..?"

GMD are commissioned to make the first two new TVR models....I don't understand your post?

[Yipper]

The logo is memorable, but a bit too feminine for the macho car industry.

And GM himself is no spring chicken at 71, so he's gonna have to move fast to build a legacy.

[AndrewEH1]

C70R said:

Is this in any way related to "Gordon Murray Design", which has been promising a "revolutionary" city car and supercar concept since 2007? Has this guy actually done anything tangible since the mid-90s, or is he just trading on his F1 cred?

Pretty much exactly what I thought of when reading this press release.

Logo is certainly revolutionary so I'll give him that one.

[Thankyou4calling]

Haven't we seen this several times before.

Talk about trading on your name.

Can't blame him though but we never actually see an outcome.

[768]

Yipper said:

The logo is memorable, but a bit too feminine for the macho car industry.

Yeah, she'll never take off.

[Konrod]

thecook101 said:

My first thought was "Ouch, to compete with the new TVR then..?"

My thoughts exactly. GMD did most of the design work, provide the production technology (iStream) and will build the first prototypes pending the factory being equipped/staffed/trained etc. to allow regulatory approvals (that is my supposition by the way - no inside knowledge).

TVR has effectively validated the GMD concepts, which is not an issue provided they then aren't used to compete against TVR, which will be tough to define as TVR will probably want to move into other segments once they have a succesful first product.

[anonymous-user]

Dakkon said:

thecook101 said:

My first thought was "Ouch, to compete with the new TVR then..?"

GMD are commissioned to make the first two new TVR models....I don't understand your post?

Oh I'm not saying that GMD are in any way setting out to compete with TVR, not at all. It's just that in an already narrowing market TVR have positioned the new Griffith as a back to the basics drivers car designed by GM with all the knowledge that he brings. Now it seems TVR won't be alone in that space. GM said a while back that he has one more true sports car that he'd still like to do, and I think many of us saw that as the Griffith. I'm a deposit holder for the TVR, because I want a raw drivers car to enjoy on weekends, but now I'm definitely intrigued as to what GM will come out with...

[jhonn]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

Yes, well it could be... however I'm not convinced that we'll see anything on the market any time soon.

+1 on the logo, it looks pretty naff - I can't work out what's he trying to convey with that image.

I am aware that all that sounds a bit negative, so I'll finish by wishing him the best of luck with his new venture.

[williamp]

Mudgey said:

FFS, can somebody please offer to re-design their logo? I can't be the only one who wouldn't want to buy a car with a mermaid blow-drying her hair stuck to the bonnet...

I think its a Jam tart rather then a hairdryer. Mermaids are very partial to a jam tart don'cha know

[danp]

Great news, hope they do something along the lines of the Yamaha concept he was involved with.

[markcoznottz]

C70R said:

Is this in any way related to "Gordon Murray Design", which has been promising a "revolutionary" city car and supercar concept since 2007? Has this guy actually done anything tangible since the mid-90s, or is he just trading on his F1 cred?

Pick up any evo magazine from early 2000's, same old almost word for word. It's also not clear who actually designed the MP4/4, the Wikipedia has been changed, it initially said Murray had almost no input, but then changed to say he co designed. Speaking to mclaren insiders at the time would suggest he had no input at all.

[bronthinswede]

HMM well lets hope they are more interesting that the SAD new TVR design launched recently..

[bonecrusher]

Mudgey said:

FFS, can somebody please offer to re-design their logo? I can't be the only one who wouldn't want to buy a car with a mermaid blow-drying her hair stuck to the bonnet...

Brilliant...