Gordon Murray Automotivethe company founded by Gordon Murray, one of the living legends of automotive design, has just presented its new T.33 hypercar, which can be described as the ‘lite’ version of the mighty T.50. The T.33 is also more affordable than its predecessor, though with a starting price of $1,850,000, the term ‘affordable’ should be taken with a healthy dose of context and skepticism.
The term ‘lite’ must also be taken within the context of the rarefied world of hypercars, as the substantial savings of $1,150,000 that the T.33 represents over the T.50 gives the buyer more car or at least a heavier vehicle. The T.33 weighs in at 2,403 pounds, and as light as that sounds, that weight is 230 pounds more than the T.50 which at 2,173 pounds is a true featherweight. This is yet another reminder that in the high-speed world, where less weight means faster, every pound less is an expensive luxury.
However the T.33 is far from being a heavy brick on wheels. Its Cosworth-built 3.9-liter V12 with forced air induction revs like a Formula 1 with a redline at 11,000 rpm and is capable of generating 607 horsepower. Unlike its big brother, the T.33 can be ordered with automatic transmissions although Murray himself, who has already sold half of the only 100 units he plans to build, acknowledged speaking to Car & Driver that so far only two customers have opted not to make their changes manually.
Changes specific to the use of the V12 in the T.33 include modified cylinder heads, redesigned camshafts, variable valve timing, new engine mapping, new exhaust system, mounts, exhaust and cooling system.
But since love enters through the eyes, especially when each customer is expected to shell out almost two million dollars for each copy, the design of the T.33 had to be impressive and captivating at first glance. And in that respect Gordon Murray’s new car does not disappoint.
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The design of the T.33 takes inspiration from the magnificent Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale of 1967, but not imitating one or another element to justify the connection, but instead managing to fully replicate the spirit of the great Italian classic with sinuous lines that avoid straight surfaces. and flat, which in turn achieve perfect and evocative proportions.
With space for only the driver and one passenger, the T.33 is not a car to be used every day, even for those who do not wince exposing a nearly two million dollar car to the rigors of the daily traffic. Still Murray told Car & Driver He expects owners to use the T.33 on long trips, so he’s giving it 9.8 cubic feet (280 lt) of luggage space, and it can go up to 450 miles on a tank of gas.
Other comforts to make it a pleasure to use on long trips include an excellent driving position and connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems, as if it were a family crossover. The driver faces an instrument cluster featuring an illuminated 120mm-diameter rev counter, and is surrounded by expensive analog controls for aerodynamics, lights and climate.
The first copies of the only 100 T.33s to be built will begin to be distributed in 2024. By the time you read these lines, it is likely that the remaining 50 copies have already been sold.
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