The Echo of Le Mans: A Review of the 2027 Gordon Murray S1 LM

Gordon Murray’s career has been a singular pursuit of engineering purity, a philosophy that reached its zenith with the McLaren F1. Decades later, with the launch of Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA), he has revisited and refined his core principles. The 2027 S1 LM the inaugural commission from his new Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV) division is more than just a new supercar; it is a meticulously crafted, road-legal homage to the very car that defined a generation: the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR.

The S1 LM, where "S1" denotes "Special One" and "LM" is a clear nod to the Le Mans victory, is an act of automotive archaeology fused with bleeding-edge technology. It is a car built for one dedicated client a collector with a deep-seated passion for the F1 GTR who commissioned a modern interpretation of their all-time hero. The result is a machine of almost unimaginable exclusivity, analogue focus, and extreme performance, slated for delivery beginning in 2026.

Review: Purity of Purpose, Rarity of Form

The S1 LM successfully manages the almost impossible task of being both a tribute and an evolution. Unlike the T.50, which was an evolution of the F1 concept, the S1 LM is a direct visual and spiritual successor to the F1 GTR racer. It eschews the fan-assisted ground effects of the T.50 and T.50s in favor of a more traditional, high-downforce aero package, which includes a prominent, dual-element rear wing, a deep front splitter, and a vast rear diffuser.

Design and Aesthetics: Every body panel is new, made from ultra-lightweight carbon fiber. The silhouette is instantly recognizable, with its pronounced "coke-bottle" profile and low roofline—a design cue Murray always felt was missing from the original F1. Direct callbacks to the GTR are abundant: the five-spoke wheels, the roof-mounted air scoop feeding the voracious V12, the centrally mounted quad exhaust pipes, and the lozenge-shaped vents on the front wheel arches. This is not a restomod; it is a hyper-modern car wearing the battle scars of a 1990s legend with pride.

The Driving Experience: While no journalist has had the pleasure of driving one, the specifications and engineering ethos guarantee an experience of profound mechanical purity. The S1 LM retains the central driving position and three-seat layout pioneered by the F1 and continued in the T.50, placing the driver front and center. The interior is a masterclass in "Engineering Art"—Murray’s design principle—featuring a skeletal, minimalist cockpit dominated by carbon fiber, bespoke craftsmanship, and mechanical interfaces.

The commitment to a pure, analogue experience is unwavering. The car is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, utilizing the T.50’s internals and casing but with an optimized linkage to deliver the "rifle-bolt short throws" that define driver connection. Crucially, the engine is solid-mounted, a technique usually reserved for pure race cars, which transmits more engine vibration and noise into the chassis but offers an unparalleled level of throttle response and transient handling purity. The S1 LM promises a driving experience that is visceral, engaging, and demanding—a true antidote to the increasingly digitized hypercar market.

Specifications: The Ultimate Analogue Machine

The heart of the S1 LM is a further development of the Cosworth-designed naturally-aspirated V12 engine that powers the T.50. This engine is arguably the last of its kind—a mechanical masterpiece that forms the core of the car’s personality.

The V12 Engine: Bored out from the T.50’s 4.0-liter unit to 4.3-liters, the V12 now produces over 700 PS (approximately 690 bhp), exceeding the output of the T.50 road car. This power is achieved through lighter internals and a higher compression ratio, yet it retains its breathtaking 12,100 rpm redline. The symphony of this engine, fed by a roof scoop and expelled through a quad-tip Inconel exhaust system—complete with the F1-inspired, 18-karat gold-foil heat shielding—promises to be one of the most intoxicating sounds in the automotive world.

Chassis and Dynamics: The S1 LM builds upon the T.50’s fundamental architecture but with significant revisions to create a more track-capable road car. The bespoke suspension features a lower ride height and unique damper settings, engineered for sharper, more connected handling. The removal of the T.50’s fan system necessitated the prominent, race-derived aerodynamic surfaces, which generate significant downforce and stability. The focus is not simply on brute force, but on the balance, agility, and responsiveness that only a meticulously engineered, lightweight package can deliver.

Price and Exclusivity: The Price of Unattainable Art

The 2027 Gordon Murray S1 LM is not a production car in the traditional sense; it is a bespoke commission under the GMSV umbrella. Its exclusivity is absolute:

• Total Production: Only five examples will ever be built.

• Availability: All five units were commissioned and acquired by a single, private client.

The official price has not been publicly disclosed, a common practice for such ultra-exclusive, bespoke vehicles. However, given the price point of the T.50 (which was over $3 million USD) and the unique, one-off nature of the S1 LM’s design, engineering, and extremely limited run, it is certain to command a multi-million-dollar figure, comfortably exceeding the T.50's tag. Estimates circulating in the collector market place its value in the realm of an unobtainable work of engineering art, likely rivaling the highest-priced commissioned vehicles in the world.

Conclusion: A Final Word on the Analogue Era

The 2027 Gordon Murray S1 LM stands as a monument to a philosophy—the belief that the ultimate driving machine prioritizes lightness, mechanical engagement, and a screaming, naturally-aspirated V12 engine. In an era where hypercars are increasingly dominated by hybridization, turbocharging, and digital interfaces, the S1 LM is a defiant roar from the past, built with the technology of the future.

Its sheer exclusivity—five cars for one collector—ensures it will be an almost mythical sight, an echo of Le Mans that is forever woven into the history of the man who penned the ultimate analogue supercar, now recreated for a privileged few. It’s the final word in the argument for the pure driver’s car, and a definitive statement on the enduring power of Gordon Murray’s design genius.