Gordon Murray and his company GMA have already blown us away with the T.50 and the T.33. And he has done it again with the new T.33 Spider. A 600 hp V12 powered convertible that is potentially the ultimate convertible supercar. One of its biggest features is the incredibly light transmission. At just 82 kg or 180 lbs, there is no transmission lighter in any supercar. It is designed to deliver the quick, smooth and precise shifts that supercar enthusiasts both demand, and expect, without the weight penalty of multi-clutch automatic systems.
On top of all that, the T.33 Spider retains the sensational looks of the T.33 Coupe and goes as fast as it looks as well. For those lucky enough to get their hands on the T.33, it is a car they will cherish for the rest of time itself.
The T.33 Spider’s 180-LBS Transmission Can Control A 600-HP V12
Gearheads will adore the transmission that Murray has chosen for the T.33 Spider. Not only is it light, but it is also a six-speed manual. This Xtrac unit is very light, and handles 609 hp from the mighty V12 engine. Weighing in at 180 lbs it is the lightest transmission seen on any supercar. And it makes use of a multi-plate clutch to drive the rear wheels. A mechanical limited slip differential offers the ultimate in feedback for the driver. While it also helps to control the power delivery of the Cosworth V12.
The T.33 Spider is only available as a manual car. Just four of the 100 people who ordered the Coupe opted for an automatic, meaning the T.33 Spider is stick shift only. This is what helps to make it an absolute dream for gearheads. In an era where stick shift cars are getting incredibly rare, Murray has given us hope that they are not dead just yet. The transmission truly is the big talking point for the T.33 Spider. But there is so much more to this supercar than just that manual transmission, as incredible as it is.
T.33 Spider Engine Weighs Just 392-LBS
When Murray came up with the T.33 design, he already envisioned a convertible version. The original chassis was actually created to deliver the rigidity needed for the open-top version. This means that the weight difference between the two is just 18 kg, or around 39 lbs. And the T.33 Spider does not compromise on its performance at all. The engine is a slightly detuned and reworked version of the T.50s 3.9-liter V12 from Cosworth. It has 609 hp on offer and the engine itself weighs just 178 kg or 392 lbs.
Murray and GMA have not released the performance figures for the car just yet. But the T.33 Spider’s top speed will be over the 200 mph mark. Making its performance just as impressive as the T.33 Coupe and T.50 that came before it. That lightness of the engine also makes it the lightest production V12 engine in the world. Yet another way in which Murray has reinvented the wheel in the supercar world. Amazingly, he has had the idea of the T.33 for an incredibly long time.
Gordon Murray Waited Over 25 Years To Create The T.33 Spider
A remarkable stat about the T.33 Spider is how long Murray has waited to create the supercar. In an interview with Top Gear at the Spider’s launch, he revealed he has had the idea for over 25 years for the T.33 Spider. That waiting has at least allowed Murray to perfect the design and the idea in his head. Even perfecting how light the removable roof is, made from carbon fiber panels. Murray and his team have perfected the lightweight convertible supercar. Something that they deserve an enormous amount of credit for. And the T.33 is very much a member of a very exclusive club.
Convertible supercars are a rare breed, and they will only get rarer as time goes on. The onslaught of electric and hybrid vehicles will curb the enthusiasm for such a car. So we need to enjoy the mighty V12 T.33 Spider while we can, as these cars are not going to last forever.
The GMA T.33 Spider Is Only 39-LBS Heavier Than The Hard Top
The fact the entire car weighs just 1,108 kg or 2,442 lbs is a testament to the work Murray has put into the T.33 Spider. Creating a convertible supercar that is almost the same weight as its Coupe cousin is an incredible achievement. Murray and his team are not done there. A new, performance-oriented version of the T.33 is also on the way that should complete the 300 vehicle run. Beyond that, ‘Project Three’ is also in the works, the follow-up to the T.33. Gordon Murray is ensuring that the future of supercars is still bright, even in this ever-changing and volatile world.
Source: Gordon Murray Automotive