Gordon Murray designed T cars that will be produced in 2016
The British car designers Gordon Murray’s new designs for the T25 and T27 city cars will apparently be going into production in 2016 because the designs have been acquired by an unnamed manufacturer.
The models have been sold for an undisclosed amount and apparently the two models will offer a choice of petrol or electric powertrains.
The T25 was seen for the first time in 2011, running a 660cc three-cylinder petrol engine sourced from Smart capable of 38kW and 57Nm and using a five-speed semi-automatic transmission.
Weighing 575kg, the T25 can reach 100km/h in 16.2 seconds, with a 145km/h top speed but more importantly it only eats up 3.8L/100km of fuel and 86g/km CO2 emissions.
The T27, which is 1.2 seconds faster to reach 100km/h, is the all-electric option and uses a 12kWh lithium-ion battery coupled to a 25kW/875Nm electric motor to deliver a single-charge range of 161km but it tops out at 105km/h.
Both models will feature a ‘1+2’ seating arrangement, which will be accessed by a single, front-hinged door designed to aid ingress and egress in very tight parking spaces. Visibility will also be helped by the centrally positioned driver seat.
In the T25, the two rear passenger seats can always be folded flat, increasing the load capacity from 160L to 720L.
The T25 is not only lighter than the Smart, but it is also smaller measuring 2400mm long, 1300mm wide and 1400mm tall.
It has a six-metre turning circle – a third larger than the Toyota IQ – is a third smaller than a London cab’s.
The city cars will feature independent rear suspension, anti-lock brakes, as well as traction control and an airbag.
The vehicle’s safety credentials are boosted by the car’s tubular steel and composite floor chassis.
The T vehicles are something of a departure for the Murray design team considering that he has a background in Formula One and was part of the design of the legendary McLaren F1.
