Automotive

Gordon Murray's City Cars finally revealed in full

Gordon Murray's City Cars finally revealed in full
The Gordon Murray Design T.27
The Gordon Murray Design T.27
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The Gordon Murray Design T.27
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The Gordon Murray Design T.27
The Gordon Murray Design T.27
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The Gordon Murray Design T.27
Specs for the T.25
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Specs for the T.25
The awesome entry system for the T.25/27
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The awesome entry system for the T.25/27
Interior layout options for the T.25/27
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Interior layout options for the T.25/27
The T.25/27 dashboard
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The T.25/27 dashboard
The T.27's Zytek motor
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The T.27's Zytek motor
The T.27's drivetrain configuration
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The T.27's drivetrain configuration
Specs for the T.27
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Specs for the T.27
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After much anticipation, UK-based >Gordon Murray Design has finally unveiled the full, complete versions of its two microcars, the T.25 and the T.27. The three-seater combustion-engined T.25 got its first public exposure last week at Smith School’s World Forum on Enterprise and the Environment, in Oxford. Details of the T.27, essentially an all-electric version of the T.25, have recently been published on the company's website. Besides looking dead sexy, the little auto has been promoted as “the world’s most efficient electric car.”

Specs

First, the nitty-gritty details... The T.25 has a semi-automatic 5-speed sequential transmission, and a 660cc 3-cylinder four-valve engine, producing 51Hp at 7,000rpm. Its top speed is restricted to 145kph (90mph), and it can reach 100kmh (62mph) in 16.2 seconds. Its combined city/highway mileage is 74mpg (3.83L/100km), and its CO2 output is 86g/km.The T.27 has a 25kW Zytek motor, powered by a 12kWh lithium-ion battery. It has a top speed of 105kph (65mph), will be able to reach 100kph in under 15 seconds, and has a range of 130 to 160 km (80 to 100 miles) per charge. Its emissions, based on a UK energy mix, are 48g/km CO2 for combined city and highway driving, and 28g/km for city alone - needless to say, the car itself has zero emissions. It is estimated that over the lifetime of the car, it will be responsible for 42 percent less CO2 than the average UK car.

The Gordon Murray Design T.27
The Gordon Murray Design T.27

The build system

Both the T.25 and T.27 will be built using Murray’s much-touted iStream assembly process. Winner of Autocar magazine’s 2008 Idea of the Year award, iStream will reportedly allow T.25/27 assembly plants to be 20 percent the size of traditional auto factories, reducing the required capital investment by 80 percent, and drastically lowering the plants’ carbon footprint.What makes iStream so efficient? For one thing, there’s the simple fact that small cars only require a small factory. Beyond that, though, there are some key differences from regular auto assembly plants:

  • All the major components are attached to the chassis first, with the recycled plastic body panels being added towards the end of the process
  • Body panels are prepainted, so no painting facilities or associated air handling equipment is required
  • Those body panels are attached mechanically, as opposed to being welded in place
  • A single type of chassis can be the base for various vehicles, so switching between the assembly of different models requires only minor retooling

The awesome entry system for the T.25/27
The awesome entry system for the T.25/27

Both cars will be smaller than a Smart Fortwo, yet offer more interior space. They will also offer six interior layout options, making the most of their diminutive dimensions.

In 2008, the T.25 had an estimated price tag of GBP5000. Murray’s T.25/27 project is slated for completion next April, so hopefully there will be more details on pricing and availability for both cars then.

View gallery - 22 images
8 comments
8 comments
yrag
\"the T.25 . . .looking dead sexy\".

Umm, that\'s going way to far. It\'s functionally cute, let\'s agree on that.

Overall I think this seems to be a great concept and hope it does go into production.

However, I\'m not very impressed by the way you need to lift the entire top front of the vehicle to get in. In teeming rain, driving snow or frigid winter days gettting in and out not going to be pleasant.
robinyatesuk2003
the concept is certainly different. I think the forward hinging front will make it easier for the old or disabled to get into the vehicle. I am impressed overall.
bramachari
They say imitation is a great form of flattery, so Rick Woodbury and his guys as www.communtercars.com should find this knock-off of their car, The Tango, quite a compliment indeed.
The Tango\'s design and safety features blow this T 25 (\"T\" as in \"Tango?) away.
PeetEngineer
Neat looking vehicle. Now get rid of the stupid electric motor and put a motorcycle engine in it, then it\'ll be like a modern day messcherschmitt bubble car.
yrag
peterraymondsharpe, take a moment to read the article. \"The T.25 has a 660cc 3-cylinder four-valve engine, producing 51Hp at 7,000rpm.\"
Facebook User
\"In 2008, the T.25 had an estimated price tag of GBP5000.\" That\'s only $7500 US ($7750Cdn) which is pretty good, being about half the price of a Yaris or Civic. I would seriously consider one for that price. Though if it crept up to $8500-9000 it would have to compete with the Hyundai Accent 5yr-100,000km warranty. 145km/h and a 0-100 at 16 seconds is alright too.
Facebook User
That thing is so cool! Purely for the freak out value I should get one!
Will, the tink
The size and 660cc 3-cylinder make me think that the T.25 was made to at least compete with Japanese \"kei\" car imports if not exported to compete in that category as well. Too bad the USA does not allow this class of car to be imported anymore. I say anymore because I have one of the original Honda 600 sedans from 1970. Back when America was not so hyper-protective of occupants. Truth be known, I think it was more to protect the big three American lead sled manufactures than occupants!