Gordon Murray Le Mans GTR makes dynamic debut
The Gordon Murray Le Mans GTR XP1 supercar made its global dynamic debut over the weekend ahead of its 2027 release, as fans were able to see the car — alongside other Murray designs — in action for the first time.
And what more fitting a place for it to happen than Le Mans itself, with Dario Franchitti behind the wheel of the prototype at the Circuit de la Sarthe during the Le Mans Classic event.
Franchitti said: “Driving the Le Mans GTR at Circuit de la Sarthe was an incredible experience. The car has a real sense of purpose, inspired by endurance racing, yet it retains that signature Gordon Murray focus on the driver. Sharing that moment with the fans, alongside such an amazing selection of Gordon’s road and race cars, made it even more special. It was a privilege to bring these cars to life in the setting that inspired them.”
Powered by a Cosworth V12 producing 12,100 rpm and utilising a six-speed manual transmission, the ‘Le Mans GTR’ takes inspiration from some of Murray’s Le Mans racers and iconic cars from the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Only 24 will be made — all of which have been sold — and are set to reach customers in 2027.
Gordon Murray was at the event himself, watching on as cars he had designed completed the demonstration lap. The main man was then asked to wave the French tricolour flag from the start gantry above the pit straight to formally start the race.
Murray said: “It was a great honour to start the Le Mans Classic race, an event that celebrates everything I have loved about endurance racing throughout my career. My passion for longtail racing cars goes back decades – their blend of engineering purpose and aesthetic balance has always fascinated me. To see the Le Mans GTR, a car inspired by those machines, driving on this circuit for the first time was a very special moment.”
Full on-track Murray line up
Gordon Murray T.50 VP1 – Customer car in Bespoke Tartan Red
Gordon Murray T.50s Niki Lauda XP3 – Track-only prototype in which Dario Franchitti bettered, by seven seconds, the GT3 benchmark at the Bahrain International Circuit during final testing
Gordon Murray T.33 VP12 – Validation prototype in T.33 VP12 Sentinel Red
F1 GTR Shorttail 16R (Fina livery) – Le Mans-spec McLaren F1 GTR from the 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans
F1 GTR Shorttail (Lark livery, x2) – Championship-winning All‑Japan GT Championship cars from 1996
Duckhams LM Ford – Lightweight Murray-designed Le Mans racer from 1972
Brabham BT49B – Championship-winning Formula 1 car from the 1981 season
Brabham BT44B (Martini livery) – Iconic mid‑1970s Brabham racer
Brabham BT42 (Richard Mille) – Early Gordon Murray-designed chassis
GMA heads to Goodwood
After wowing crowds in Le Mans, the Gordon Murray team will now head back to the UK for the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the T.50s production car will lead its lineup. The 2025 event marked a huge milestone, and saw six decades of Gordon Murray design and engineering celebrated.
This year’s festival will see Murray and his team showcasing the sounds of GMA V12 engines at the famous Hillclimb and Supercar Paddock. The Le Mans GTR will be one of those making an appearance.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Gordon Murray Automotive