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Gordon Murray Drives T.50 Supercar Prototype For First Time

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Legendary McLaren F1 Chief Engineer Gordon Murray has designed his own supercar and taken the T.50 XP2 Prototype out for the first test drive.
Gordon Murray with the T.50 XP2 Prototype for the first test drive. Credit: GMA
Gordon Murray with the T.50 XP2 Prototype for the first test drive. Credit: GMA

Last year Gordon Murray announced he would be creating his own supercar known as the T.50 and powering it with the world’s lightest and highest-revving 3.9-liter V12 engine.

Described as his “ultimate car design,” the T.50 is the 50th car design in Gordon Murray’s extensive career and aims to supersede his legendary work on the iconic McLaren F1 in every possible way, thanks to the advancement of materials and an additional 30 years of development experience.

Gordon Murray taking his first test drive.
Gordon Murray at the wheel of the T.50 XP2 Prototype. Credit: GMA

Now Gordon Murray Automotive has released images and footage of Murray taking the first test drive in the T.50 XP2 Prototype around the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold, Surrey, UK.

Taking the T.50 XP2 around the track for the first time.
Taking the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 XP2 Prototype around the track. Credit: GMA

Seated in the center of the 3-seater prototype and riven with limited revs, Murray only pushed the engine to 3,000rpm (only a quarter of its 12,100rpm capability) but still appeared more than happy with the results noting in the video “You can tell when a car’s going to be good, you know it [the T.50] just feels so good already.”

"The T.50 felt fantastic on my first drive" - Gordon Murray. Credit: GMA
“The T.50 felt fantastic on my first drive” – Gordon Murray. Credit: GMA

In a statement to Road & Track, Gordon Murray additionally shared, “The XP2 prototype is currently running at considerably less revs than its 12,100-rpm limit, yet the T.50 felt fantastic on my first drive. The car was responsive, agile and rewarding to drive. It was a fantastic experience to be sitting in the center of the car once again with great all-round visibility and I can see how much the owners will enjoy this experience.”

The T.50's not-so-secret weapon: the giant 15.7-inch central fan at the rear of the vehicle. Credit: GMA
The T.50’s not-so-secret weapon: the giant 15.7-inch central fan at the rear of the vehicle. Credit: GMA

The T.50 is priced at £2.36m (before taxes) and limited to 100 vehicles in total. Production is set to begin in early 2022, not far from where the test drive took place.

Gordon Murray test drive.
Murray and team with the T.50
Test drive at the track Dunsfold, Surrey, UK.

Luxury Cars

Lamborghini Reveals Countach LPI 800-4 Revival

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Lamborghini is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Countach with a special edition LPI 800-4 model debuting at this year’s Monterey Car Week.
Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Aerial
The new Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4. Credit: Lamborghini

In celebration of the Countach’s 50th anniversary, Lamborghini has unveiled a special limited edition Countach LPI 800-4 as a futuristic tribute to the poster car of the 1980s.

While sharing the same name and drawing on the visual legacy of its predecessor, the new Countach LPI 800-4 is powered by Lamborghini’s aspirated V12 engine combined with new hybrid supercapacitor technology initially developed for the Sian.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Side 1
Powered by Lamborghini’s V12 engine with hybrid supercapacitor. Credit: Lamborghini

Delivering 802hp maximum combined power (rounded to 800 for the sake of its model name), the LPI 800-4 can reach 0-62mph acceleration in just 2.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 220mph.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Front Side
The Lamborghini Countach has a top speed of 220mph. Credit: Lamborghini

“The Countach LPI 800-4 is a visionary car of the moment, just as its forerunner was,” says Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “One of the most important automotive icons, the Countach not only embodies the design and engineering tenet of Lamborghini but represents our philosophy of reinventing boundaries, achieving the unexpected and extraordinary and, most importantly, being the ‘stuff of dreams.

“The Countach LPI 800-4 pays homage to this Lamborghini legacy, but it is not retrospective: it imagines how the iconic Countach of the 70s and 80s might have evolved into an elite super sports model of this decade. It upholds the Lamborghini tradition of looking forward, of exploring new design and technology avenues while celebrating the DNA of our brand. It is a Lamborghini that innately expresses the marque’s enduring and emotive power: always inspirational and thrilling to see, hear and most of all drive.”

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Front
Inspired by the Quattrovalvole edition with low rectangular headlights. Credit: Lamborghini

Inspired by the Countach’s distinctive silhouette, sharp angles, and wedge shape, the Countach LPI 800-4’s exterior inspiration was taken specifically from the Quattrovalvole edition in the bold lines of the front bonnet with long, low rectangular grille and headlights, as well as in the wheel arches with their hexagonal theme.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Rear Side
Futuristic hexagonal rear lights like those of the Sián. Credit: Lamborghini

Unfortunately for fans of the Wolf of Wall Street Countach, there’s no fixed rear wing on the latest model. However, there are still air scoops integrated fluidly into the car’s shoulders and the distinctive Countach slatted “gills” and famous scissor doors.

The rear of the Countach LPI 800-4 still features a distinctive inverted wedge shape, with the rear bumper featuring a lower, sleeker line and the hexagonal rear light design similar to that of the Sián.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Side
The famous scissor doors still remain. Credit: Lamborghini

Lamborghini has revealed only 112 models of the new Countach LPI 800-4 will be produced (a number chosen in honor of the internal project name “LP 112” used for the original Countach development) with allocations already fulfilled prior to the public launch.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Front Side
Only 112 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4’s will be produced. Credit: Lamborghini

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Porsche & Manthey Racing Collab on Limited Edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25

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Porsche Motorsport celebrates 25 years partnership with Manthey-Racing and reveals the limited edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25.
The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25. Credit: Porsche
The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25. Credit: Porsche

Porsche Motorsport is celebrating 25 years of collaboration with Manthey-Racing GmbH and has unveiled the limited edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 to commemorate.

Founded by racing driver Olaf Manthey in 1996, Manthey-Racing GmbH is responsible for running the Porsche 911 RSR of the factory squad in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and has made a name for itself in both the motor racing world and as a GT road car specialist.

Celebrating 25 years partnership with Manthey Racing. Credit: Porsche
Celebrating 25 years partnership with Manthey Racing. Credit: Porsche

The basic concept and technical ideas for the new special edition was provided by Manthey and based on the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport with Porsche providing the final design. 

Developed specifically for track days and circuit racing, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 is powered by a 3.8-liter flat-six twin-turbo engine and produces 515 HP directed to the rear wheels through Porsche’s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (PDK). 

Green and yellow design accents inspired by "Grello". Credit: Porsche
Green and yellow design accents inspired by “Grello”. Credit: Porsche

Taking inspiration from Manthey’s 911 GT3 R, known as the “Grello” because of its distinctive green and yellow livery, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 sports a similar green and yellow color scheme to highlight functional areas of the vehicle and adopts many vehicle components and elements from future Porsche racing cars. 

Limited to 30 vehicles worldwide. Credit: Porsche
Limited to 30 vehicles worldwide. Credit: Porsche

“The design of the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 expresses the long-standing collaboration between Porsche Motorsport and Manthey,” emphasizes Grant Larson from Style Porsche. “It amalgamates the respective strengths of each partner into one racing car, and at the same time bridges the gap between the 991 and 992 model generations of the 911.”

The Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 is limited to 30 vehicles in total (only six are allocated for North America) with deliveries expected to begin in early 2022.

To order, customers will need to email 911GT2RSClubsport25@porsche.de directly and have a spare $620,00 on hand. 

2021 Porsche 991 GT2 RS Aerial

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Pagani to Reveal Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta at Monterey Car Week 2021

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The new Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta is set to make its debut at this year’s Monterey Car Week and celebrates ten years of the Huayra supercar.
Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta Front Side View
The new Pagani BC Huayra Pacchetto Tempesta. Credit: Pagani Automobili

This year at Monterey Car Week, Pagani celebrates ten years of the Huayra with the world premiere of the new Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta.

Based on the Huayra BC, the new Pacchetto Tempesta package means the Huayra BC’s high-performance platform can be equipped with a range of “state-of-the-art technical and artisan solutions” to maximize the car’s racing abilities and achieve an 8% power increase to deliver 827 hp and 1,100 Nm torque.

Pagani has only teased several introductory images of the green carbon fiber bodied beauty ahead of the premiere, and although full details are yet to be shared, Pagani has noted that the Pacchetto Tempesta features a new front splitter, dedicated air intake, rear wing with an integrated central fin, and six-pipe exhaust system to maximize aerodynamic efficiency.

Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta Rear Aerial
New rear wing design with an integrated central fin. Credit: Pagani Automobili

A tweaked suspension system and the addition of an all-new “Soft Driving mode” also ensure drivers are afforded maximum comfort in the aggressive Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta.

The Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta will make its debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering event on Friday 13th August at Monterey Car Week 2021 and will be seen alongside the Huayra R project and an up-close-and-personal look at the all-new Pagani V12-R engine, six-speed sequential gearbox.

While no prices have been revealed yet, the Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta will no double start above the $2.25 million price tag of the Huayra BC.

Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta Rear
New six-exhaust design (four central and two below). Credit: Pagani Automobili

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