The McLaren F1 was one of the vital vital automobiles of the 20th century. And due to a BMW-supplied V12 engine beneath the rear clamshell, it’s seemingly multiple BMW fanatic’s dream supercar. Gordon Murray, the designer behind the McLaren F1, hasn’t been resting on his laurels for the reason that mid-Nineteen Nineties, although. After almost 20 years with McLaren, he’s began his personal store. Half a decade in the past, he surprised the world with the GMA T.50. Now, the T.50 is being elevated even additional. Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) is introducing, primarily, a modernized McLaren F1 GTR dubbed the GMA S1 LM. And although its BMW energy plant could be MIA, the lineage couldn’t be clearer.
GMA Goes F1 With the S1 LM
As we talked about, the GMA S1 LM is predicated on the T.50. However GMA took steps to raised align the automobile’s exterior design with the McLaren F1 GTR of yore. The automobile’s aluminum and carbon fiber tub is shod in new carbon fiber bodywork displaying an array of strakes, divots, and intakes — seemingly within the title of aerodynamics but additionally paying clear homage to the F1. 5-spoke wheels pay clear homage to the F1 GTR’s wheels. Whereas the S1 LM loses the rear fan adorning the again of the T.50, it good points a quad exhaust, F1-style lighting, and F1-inspired badging. It additionally good points a novel aero package comprising a entrance splitter, rear diffuser, and multipiece rear wing. A decrease roofline and decrease journey peak additional additional differentiate the automobile from the T.50 it’s primarily based on.
As within the T.50, the S1 LM’s engine is within the again. Whereas the BMW-sourced S70 is out, GMA has a contemporary V12 engine that’s greater than able to stepping in. The 4.3-liter V12 produces round 690 horsepower (700 PS) and is able to revving to an otherworldly 12,100 rpm. Just like the McLaren F1, the S1 LM options gold foil warmth shielding within the engine bay. The V12 bolts as much as a handbook gearbox that shares its casing and internals with the T50’s. The S1 LM doesn’t share a suspension with the T50; GMA claims it’s “bespoke.”
Room For Three
Inside, the S1 LM even replicates the BMW-powered F1’s odd three-across seating association. Though, that shouldn’t be a shock — that’s really a holdover from the T.50, too. The central driving place, clear gauge structure, and premium supplies are a typical thread throughout all Gordon Murray-designed automobiles. There is no such thing as a cause to anticipate something totally different right here within the S1 LM.
The three-seater structure implies that solely fifteen individuals on Earth may ever discover themselves sitting in an S1 LM on the similar time. GMA is producing “the shopper” solely 5 examples of the automobile. The phrasing actually signifies that only one (superb) buyer is taking dwelling all 5, however we’re speculating. Regardless of channeling the F1 GTR — the race model of the F1 — the S1 LM is totally street authorized. No phrase on value however deliveries start in 2026. These are the form of automobiles we love seeing. We respect GMA making the most effective of the most effective nearly as good as it may be thirty years later. Even when we’ll by no means sit in, not to mention drive, one.
