Designer of McLaren F1 creates world’s most efficient electric car

Specification and performance targets announced

Gordon Murray Design and Zytek Automotive have announced the specification and performance targets of their jointly-developed electric city car, the T.27. It will have zero emissions at point of use, with full life cycle CO2 emissions 42% less than the average UK car. The T.27 will be powered by a 25kW motor and will have a lithium-ion battery. It will have a top speed of 105 kph and a 0-100 kph time of under 15 seconds. The range will be 80 – 100 miles.

Gordon Murray, designer of the revolutionary McLaren F1 supercar, is Chief Executive and Technical Director of Gordon Murray Design. Murray and Zytek have developed the T.27 to be the world’s most efficient electric vehicle by applying
the same principles that characterised the McLaren F1 - optimal lightness and maximum efficiency – to the T.27. The car’s designed weight is 680 kg including battery, making it the lightest electric car to date.

Murray’s powertrain partner, Zytek Automotive, is designing a brand new, innovative, lightweight and fully integrated electric motor, control system and battery that will ensure that maximum efficiency is achieved.

Revolutionary approach to design and manufacturing

The T.27 is a three seater, with the driver in the middle and forward of the two passengers. Access to the seats is, like the F1, through the front of the car, which tilts forward from the B pillar. Although smaller than a Smart, it will have more interior space. The layout and geometry of the car is similar to Gordon Murray Design’s innovative T.25 petrol-driven city car, an MPV with six possible internal layouts.

Part of the efficiency in cost, weight and performance comes from the low energy manufacturing system developed by Gordon Murray Design called iStream. The iStream assembly process is a complete rethink of the traditional manufacturing process. It means that the manufacturing plant can be about 20% of the size of a conventional factory. This reduces capital investment in the assembly plant by up to 80% and, in turn, reduces the energy required for manufacturing.

Running prototype T.27 expected April 2011

The development of the T.27 has been supported by a £9 million investment by the government’s Technology Strategy Board – £4.5 million to Murray (representing 50% of the total research and development costs) and £4.5 million to Zytek. It will enable the two companies to produce a running prototype by April 2011.  

Murray is now seeking a UK partner or consortium to produce the cars. Existing car makers are not thought appropriate because their production methods and ways of doing business are so totally different to Murray’s.

Once again, Murray is thinking ‘outside the box’.