Gordon Murray Special Vehicles has revealed the S1 at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week, a touring-focused evolution of the S1 LM limited to 64 cars worldwide. Each car is individually commissioned and specified by its owner, and pricing has not been disclosed. The S1 LM, which the company built in five examples to mark the 30th anniversary of the McLaren F1 GTR’s 1995 Le Mans win, was revealed at the same event last year.
Power comes from a bespoke 4.2-liter naturally aspirated Cosworth V12 producing up to 680 hp (690 PS) at 12,100 rpm, derived from the same lineage as the S1 LM engine but tuned for a broader torque range. The company says 80 percent of torque is available from 2,500 rpm, with roughly 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) at 7,000 rpm. The engine uses silicon carbide-coated lightweight pistons, titanium valves, titanium connecting rods, and dry-sump lubrication. It drives through a six-speed manual gearbox fitted with a touring sixth gear as standard, with straighter shift cable routing intended to sharpen shift precision.
The S1 removes the S1 LM’s fixed rear wing, long front splitter, and deep side skirts, and every exterior body panel is new. In their place is an active rear aero system integrated into the bodywork that responds to high-speed stability and braking demands, with the setup prioritizing mechanical grip over outright downforce. Width, track, and the lightweight suspension architecture carry over from the S1 LM, along with its wider tires, but ride height is raised by 0.4 inch (10 mm) and damping has been retuned for greater compliance. Gordon Murray Special Vehicles is targeting an overall weight below that of the T.50, despite the S1 carrying more cabin trim, a larger audio system, and additional acoustic insulation, though no figure has been given.
Front and rear lighting is bespoke, with daytime running lamps moved into the main light cluster rather than the narrow blade below the headlight used on the S1 LM. Auxiliary main beam lights sit low in the nose intake, referencing the 1992 Monaco show car designed by Gordon Murray, which used a similar arrangement that never reached production. The car also gets A-pillar-mounted mirrors housing a rear-view camera system and new lightweight wheels drawing on the same 1992 show car. In the engine bay, the V12 is presented with a polished Inconel exhaust and a 24-karat gold-plated heat shield.
Inside, the S1 keeps the central driving position and low scuttle height used across Gordon Murray’s road cars while adding premium leather, bespoke fabrics, revised infotainment screens, and a bespoke lightweight audio system across the three-seat cabin. Steering assistance is switchable, allowing the driver to select lighter effort for cruising or a heavier setting for more feedback. New dihedral doors with drop-down glass replace the fixed Lexan ticket window of the S1 LM, opening wider for easier entry and exit.
Gordon Murray Special Vehicles is the bespoke division of Gordon Murray Automotive, which has built its lineup around naturally aspirated engines and manual transmissions since the T.50 was unveiled in 2020. Production numbers for the S1 are capped at 64 cars, with specification and delivery handled individually for each owner.
GalleryPhotos by Gordon Murray
