Gordon Murray’s innovative Murray T25 and Murray T27 city cars have been sold to an unnamed manufacturer ahead of a projected market launch in 2016.
Murray confirmed the news on his official blog. "The T25 and T27 concept has now been sold to a customer and with a following wind a lot more drivers should be able to enjoy the centre drive experience in 2016," he said.
The T25 and T27 are city cars with a 1+2 seating, the front seat being central. A modified, rear-mounted three-cylinder 660cc 51bhp Smart petrol engine powers the T25, while the T27 is an all-electric version of the same car.
The cars foreshadow a new era of tiny, great-to-drive economy cars as well as a highly original manufacturing process called iStream that slashes the investment, factory space and energy required for manufacturing.
With a kerb weight of only 575kg tThe T25 weighs considerably less than the Smart Fortwo (which weighs in at 750kg), while its footprint is also much smaller measuring 2400mm in length, 1300mm in width and 1400mm in height. Its turning circle is around six metres.
Independent suspension features all-around, as does proper crash structures and features such as ABS, traction control and an airbag. The tubular steel and composite floor chassis frame creates a chassis that is "exceptionally strong", according to Gordon Murray Design.
It has just one door, which swings open upwards to allow access even in tight spaces. The T25 can be parked front on into a space a normal car would have to parallel park into. The rear passenger seats can be folded flat to offer a significant load-carrying capacity of 720 litres. The standard boot capacity is 160 litres.
In his blog, Murray also revealed he has signed contracts for four other projects based around his iStream manufacturing process, and two other projects not related to iStream. By the end of 2013 he plans to have two new prototypes running, meaning the firm would have created six working prototypes since its inception in 2007.
“The next challenge in the iStream story is to develop one or more of our current programmes into a mass-produced vehicle so that as many folks as possible can enjoy the benefits of low cost, low weight and very high levels of safety that iStream provides - truly Formula One technology for the everyday motorist,” he said.
Murray also revealed his Gordon Murray Design business has taken on 30 new staff to meet the increasing demand for its services, and has acquired two extra buildings next to his Guildford, Surrey, base to meet the expansion.
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Idiotic Comments
Both k12479 and askho prove just how stupid some people are. I would understand why you may not like the looks of the T25/27, but to question Gordon Murray and his resume shows just how little you know.
Multiple world F1 constructure champion, %100 responsible for the greatest sports car of all time the Maclaren F1: The Rocket, while not sold in any huge numbers and niche to say the least, it's still highly sought after and still holds a few world reckords today. Gordon Murray and Gordon Murray Design have also been engineering consultants and practitioners for multiple world renowned OEM's and is responsible for enginnering solutions and pasrts for many of the cars you can buy today in any showroom.
Last but not least, the Mercedes Maclaren SLR. I left to last because if you know anything about this car and Gordon Murray you would have never questioned his ability to produce any car in any quantity or quality.
MB went to MacLaren, said what they wanted and left Gordon and his hand picked staff to do it all. When I say "it all" I mean everything.
They designed and engineered it, created the service manuals and entire service and maintance schedule, created the sales and marketing materials, tested for and passed all safety regulations for every country of sale and the list goes on until finally, they could simply hand the cars over to MB for sale.
From nothinhg but an idea that MB wanted created, engineered, produced and then sold: that is what the Mercedes MacLaren SLR was. Gordon Murray and his team did it all.
So you 2 jack asses may want to think about what you said and what and who you questioned. I certainly can't stop you and don't want to, but I will point out you both for looking stupid all on your own!
Groagun wrote: Both k12479
Thanks for the information about Murray being "totally" responsible for the Mercedes McLaren SLR. He did "everything", as you said. That car was never rated highly by any road tester, including Autocar. Just prove my point, over rated, over hyped.
By the way, get the name right. It's Mclaren, not MacLaren.
Askhole said
By the way, get the name right. It's Mclaren, not MacLaren.
[/quote] YOU ARE STILL A COUPLE OF PLONKERSVery nice!!!
As your own transport?,buy with your own cash?,eh, no,it's a Boris car, like the Bicycles you use in London,it should have a slot on the side where you put your cash in,sooner have a Renault Zoe.
Gordon, if you're going for
Gordon, if you're going for the Japanese market, put a proper door. Height regs in Japanse mechanical parking lots are pretty strict.