Gordon Murray T.33: A bullish V12 supercar cometh

Joining the T.50 and T.50 Niki Lauda version, Gordon Murray Automotive has lifted the veil off its all-new T.33 two-seat mid-engined model. 

The new GMA T.33 is built on a newly-developed carbon and aluminium superlight architecture and according to the marque, it tips scales at less than 1,100 kg making it slightly heavier than the T.50 that tips the scales at 986 kg. 

Powering the T.33 is a reconfigured GMA.2 3.9-litre V12 unit that also beats at the heart of the T.50 road car. The engine weighs only 178 kg and delivers 453 kW of power and 451 Nm of torque with 75% of power that’s available from as low as 2,500 r/min. 

According to GMA, the engine can rev all the way up to 11,100 r/min. As far as the reconfiguration of the new engine goes, the V12 has been fitted with new camshafts, variable valve timing as well as the introduction of engine mapping. The engine mountings, water cooling, and oil cooling systems are also entirely new and were developed specifically for the GMA.2 V12.

The RWD GMA T.33 employs an engine that is mated to a standard 6-speed manual gearbox that weighs just 82 kg and can be fitted with a paddle shift transmission as an option. The setup is combined with a low inertia clutch and a limited-slip differential.

For enhanced handling and ride comfort, the T.33 features a new suspension package that comes courtesy of lightweight double wishbones for both axles in conjunction with coil springs over aluminum alloy dampers. 

There is an anti-roll bar as well as aluminium alloy uprights on the front suspension while the rear is bolstered with Axis Shear mounting system. For maximum occupant protection, the GMA T.33 is equipped with a Formula One-inspired ‘safety cell’. 

The T.33 rides on bespoke light forged aluminium alloy wheels that measure 19” and 20” at the front and back axles respectively. Each wheel weighs less than 7 kg and is wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres measuring 235/35 R19 at the front while the rear tracks measure 295/30 R20.  

These are home to Brembo Carbon Ceramic Material brake discs that feature six-piston aluminium Monobloc alloy front callipers and four-piston aluminium Monobloc callipers at the back. 

For effective aerodynamics, the GMA T.33 does away with the T.50’s rear mounted fan and employs what is called Passive Boundary Layer Control system.

This allows the channeling of air underneath the floor, thanks to a ground effect inlet. There is also a diffuser with a boundary layer removal duct activated by the base suction behind the car that enables a level of aerodynamic efficiency that is 30% more effective than the traditional ground effect supercar, according to GMA. 

Further aero tweaks include wings, skirts, vents and an active rear spoiler that deploys automatically or manually for increased downforce as well as aero-enhanced braking prowess. 

Inside, the Gordon Murray Automotive T.33 has a simplistic driver-focused approach, thanks to the lack of touchscreens and sub menus, however, you’ll still find Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus premium materials in the form of aluminium alloy pedals, a carbon steering wheel plus multi-adjustable iStream carbon seats with GMD’s patented cored, honeycomb carbon structure. 

Gordon Murray Automotive will only build 100 units in its new global headquarters in Windlesham, Surrey. Customers can choose between right- or left-hand-drive and manual or IGS paddle shift transmissions. 

Each unit is priced at £1.37m which translates to roughly R26,918,970 at the current exchange rate. Deliveries are earmarked to start from early 2024.