One of the most influential engineers in motorsport and road-car history, Gordon Murray, firmly believes many modern vehicles have lost their core essence. His perspective isn’t rooted in nostalgia—it’s pure engineering logic backed by decades of hands-on experience.
Formula 1 Legacy and the Shift to Road Cars
Gordon Murray’s name is synonymous with Formula 1’s golden era. His designs for Brabham and McLaren powered multiple championships and technical dominance in the late 1980s. Eventually, he stepped away from the sport, feeling excessive regulations were stifling true engineering creativity.
His next masterpiece was the McLaren F1—a road car still regarded as the benchmark for engineering excellence. A naturally aspirated 6.1-liter V12, ultra-low weight, and driver-centric design made it unforgettable. Decades later, Murray revisited those principles with the GMA T.50, enhancing them with modern technology while staying true to his vision.
Why Today’s Cars Often Disappoint
According to Murray, most new vehicles have grown excessively large and heavy. He attributes the increase in size and weight less to safety requirements and more to marketing demands and styling trends. The result? Reduced efficiency and interior layouts that rarely benefit from the extra bulk.
Murray argues that performance cars have lost vital traits: perfect driver positioning, minimal mass, and technical honesty. Instead, complex electronic aids and shared mass-production platforms dominate.
Seven Principles of a True Driver’s Car
The engineer outlines key criteria that exceptional cars should meet:
- perfect, natural driving position;
- lowest possible weight;
- meaningful use of technology;
- clear brand identity;
- form following function aesthetics;
- limited production volume;
- attention to individual owner preferences.
Today’s volume manufacturers, he says, largely ignore these fundamentals.
Lessons from the Past and Everyday Vehicles
Murray’s critique extends beyond supercars. He praises early models like the first-generation Renault Espace—compact on the outside yet remarkably spacious and light inside. Similar virtues appeared in the original Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
By comparison, many modern hatchbacks and crossovers are larger yet often less practical. Added weight and complexity don’t always translate to real-world benefits for drivers.
Conclusion
Gordon Murray’s views champion an engineering philosophy where functionality, lightness, and human focus remain paramount. His stance reminds us that technological advancement doesn’t automatically equal improvement—and that many lessons from the past are still highly relevant today.
