McLaren legend reveals eco-friendly T27 city car

by Steven Mostyn - Jul 1 2011, 07:48

Renowned vehicle engineer Gordon Murray, once the driving force behind growling beasts such as the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and the McLaren F1, these days channels his talents into creating battery-powered cars built for the planet, not the track.

This week sees Gordon Murray Design unveiling the T27, a new electric vehicle (EV) that’s described as being the most efficient of its kind thanks to a lightweight and fully integrated electric motor, control system and battery.

In terms of core features and specifications, the T27 comes with a 25 kW engine (33bhp) good for a 0-62mph time of under 15 seconds, a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a single-charge driving range of around 100 miles, and a total weight of 1,500 pounds (680kg). 

Clearly crafted as a nippy three-seat alternative to conventional petrol-powered cars, the T.27 has a total length of just 98 inches (approx. 2.5m), a width measurement of 51 inches (1.3m), and a height of 63 inches (1.6m).

Despite the apparent eco-credentials of the T27, it would appear Gordon Murray has a way to go where aesthetic appeal is concerned—did this guy really design the sexy McLaren F1?

Specifically, while beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we here at The Tech Herald find it hard to believe anyone but the most ardent of tree-huggers will be attracted to the extremely clunky T27.

Although the T27 doesn’t yet have a confirmed price point, its predecessor—the similarly unattractive T25—costs around $9,000 USD.

Expect to see the T27 tootling through inner city areas come 2013 if Murray can secure investment for his little runabout.

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