Gordon Murray's T.50

[Humdizzle]

^ great interview.

i've been watching it during my drive to work and back through the week and finished it today. they hit on some great points such as how he almost built a ~150k BMW supercar... but BMW said no and he went over to Mercedes to build the SLR (which he is not proud of).

How EV's aren't really as 'clean' as people make them out to be. And how SUVs are the completely unnecessary (saying how they see so many SUVs with only 2 people in them 95% of the time).

[ZoomZooom]

Originally Posted by yco

a bit automotive geek talk on T.50..you can see from this video that how Gordon is obsessed with weight and size of cars.. knowing that he drove a Smart Cabr. for 16 years, having a Renault Kangoo 4x4 probably that car never been in US.. and drives a Suzuki Jimny and an Alpine A110 for daily. such a clear vision he has and a very modest man..

was wondering about the homologation of the fan answer is here also..
better start from 1:05..

This was a great watch. I agree with Gordon and this is the reason why I am driving the car I am now.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by yco

actually T.50 shows all the manufacturers that we can still have lightweight cars.. 980kg on T.50 and another such a great car LaFerrari is 1600kg almost.. its a crazy difference..

That has never been the issue. Of course manufacturers can still make lightweight cars. I think using a $3 million super car with an essentially a road legal carbon fiber safety cell as the cockpit is a poor comparison.

But to meet the increasing demand for amenities in even entry level cars and dramatically more strict crash ratings, they only way is to use expensive materials.

And I'm sure the average middle-class family who aren't enthusiasts don't care about their Camry being $15k more expensive to weigh 300 lbs less.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

That has never been the issue. Of course manufacturers can still make lightweight cars. I think using a $3 million super car with an essentially a road legal carbon fiber safety cell as the cockpit is a poor comparison.

But to meet the increasing demand for amenities in even entry level cars and dramatically more strict crash ratings, they only way is to use expensive materials.

And I'm sure the average middle-class family who aren't enthusiasts don't care about their Camry being $15k more expensive to weigh 300 lbs less.

The ND Miata did it. It's 100 pounds heavier than the original, has a ton more airbags, stronger door bars, pedestrian safety features, a back up camera, stability control, a modicum of roll over protection, etc. It's even a good bit cheaper in inflation adjusted terms.

Comparing a Mk4 or Mk5 GTI to a Mk7 or Mk8 actually nets you a few hundred pounds of weight savings. Not all cars have porked up.

[ZoomZooom]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

The ND Miata did it. It's 100 pounds heavier than the original, has a ton more airbags, stronger door bars, pedestrian safety features, a back up camera, stability control, a modicum of roll over protection, etc. It's even a good bit cheaper in inflation adjusted terms.

Comparing a Mk4 or Mk5 GTI to a Mk7 or Mk8 actually nets you a few hundred pounds of weight savings. Not all cars have porked up.

What he said and a lot of fun to drive but I might be biased

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

The ND Miata did it. It's 100 pounds heavier than the original, has a ton more airbags, stronger door bars, pedestrian safety features, a back up camera, stability control, a modicum of roll over protection, etc. It's even a good bit cheaper in inflation adjusted terms.

Comparing a Mk4 or Mk5 GTI to a Mk7 or Mk8 actually nets you a few hundred pounds of weight savings. Not all cars have porked up.

I didn't say all cars have porked up.

I was pointing out, that outside of enthusiasts, most people don't care if cars continue to get bigger and heavier. That's why I used the example of a Camry. There is no incentive for manufacturers to do so on appliances, what Mazda did with the Miata.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

I didn't say all cars have porked up.

I was pointing out, that outside of enthusiasts, most people don't care if cars continue to get bigger and heavier. That's why I used the example of a Camry. There is no incentive for manufacturers to do so on appliances, what Mazda did with the Miata.

Which is why I also pointed out the Golf. It's an appliance, but much better received when it's lighter. The Mk5 is generally seen as the low point and it's also the heaviest.

Our F30 was a terrible car, but being fat was a primary reason we don't have a BMW anymore. Their unchecked weight gain has really been horrible.

But yes, the average consumer DGAF, hence X7's, M SUV's and all sorts of huge trucks and SUV's being best sellers.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Which is why I also pointed out the Golf. It's an appliance, but much better received when it's lighter. The Mk5 is generally seen as the low point and it's also the heaviest.

Our F30 was a terrible car, but being fat was a primary reason we don't have a BMW anymore. Their unchecked weight gain has really been horrible.

But yes, the average consumer DGAF, hence X7's, M SUV's and all sorts of huge trucks and SUV's being best sellers.

I can't say much. I'm literally considering an SRT8 Grand Cherokee as a tow vehicle for the Miata and the girlfriend wants a camper.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

I can't say much. I'm literally considering an SRT8 Grand Cherokee as a tow vehicle for the Miata and the girlfriend wants a camper.

I'm stuck there too, my normal one man, minimalist bivy isn't something I want to force on my kid, so a camper trailer would be great.

[yco]

"racing focused" version is here also..

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/n...only-s-version

[yco]

[supra93]

https://gordonmurrayautomotive.com/press

[freakystyly]

I just hope whoever manages to buy one of these is forced to drive it and not just end up siting in a hermetically sealed garage for the rest of time. Such is life with these boutique cars tho.

[Darth One]

Zoinks that Niki Lauda version looks terrible