Gordon Murray Design Archives

‘MOTIV’ autonomous vehicle platform by Gordon Murray Design ready for real-world trials

Gordon Murray Design and its consortium partners Delta Motorsport and itMoves unveil the ‘MOTIV’, a unique and extremely versatile autonomous vehicle platform, at the MOVE 2020 show in London this week. Part-funded through the UK-government’s ‘IDP14’ programme, the new platform breaks the mould for future mobility development by creating a cost-effective, ultra-lightweight quadricycle vehicle platform that is designed to meet full passenger-car crash safety requirements.

As a development test bed for autonomous systems, MOTIV’s autonomous-ready design is far easier for companies to convert than a conventional vehicle. It has been purpose-built as a platform for autonomy so testing of its driverless capabilities can begin from launch.

Alongside its industry-leading safety credentials, the new fully-electric unit is targeting significant cost-savings and improved refinement over its rivals, while delivering the range capabilities, platform flexibility and plug-and-play versatility required by autonomous customers with personal mobility or commercial delivery requirements.

Designed with autonomy in mind, MOTIV is a single-seater ‘pod’ which provides the versatility of either personal transportation or last-mile deliveries. Engineered using Gordon Murray Design’s iStream Superlight technology which keeps overall weight below 450 kgs (excluding battery pack), the microcar’s single-seater layout provides a private mobility experience for people moving through busy cities.

MOTIV has the potential to significantly reduce congestion and emissions in city centres due to its fully-electric powertrain and compact footprint. Its 1628 mm high pod measures just 2537 mm in length, with a width of 1310 mm.

Due to its compact footprint and layout, MOTIV offers greater flexibility than any of its rivals, it is claimed. To further increase its practicality, the microcar can be adapted in the future to seat multiple occupants (eg for wheelchair use or even for commercial deliveries). In its goods transportation form, the platform can be altered to enable maximum load capacity, creating a volume of more than 1,100 litres.

Power comes from a 20-kW electric motor drawing power from a 17.3-kWh liquid-cooled battery pack which is expected to provide a potential range of up to 100 kms. It will be able to operate at speeds of up to 65 km/h while recharging from 20% capacity to 80% can be within 40 minutes.

“MOTIV has the potential to transform future mobility. The best way to make any vehicle commercially viable and cost-effective, while delivering first-class efficiency, is to make it as light as it can be while retaining the highest levels of safety. With MOTIV, we have used our iStream technologies to create an ultra-lightweight body structure that delivers a vehicle that is compact, refined, safe and versatile, while remaining capable of significant range,” said Professor Gordon Murray, Chairman of the Gordon Murray Group.

Creator of McLaren F1 looking to build new supercar

Gordon Murray, the creator of the legendary McLaren F1 supercar, is currently hard at work designing something new that invokes the very traits that made the F1 such a success. Murray himself has announced that he is indeed working on a limited-run flagship vehicle that will utilize an innovative design language.

He also admitted that his new supercar will incorporate the same design and engineering principles that made the McLaren F1 an instant hit about 25 years ago. The car had an engine bay that was lined with gold, a three-seat cockpit layout and was constructed from lightweight materials.

“The new manufacturing business significantly expands the capabilities of our group of companies,” explained Professor Gordon Murray. “With our first new car, we will demonstrate a return to the design and engineering principles that have made the McLaren F1 such an icon.”

According to an article by The Drive, unlike the current crop of supercars, Murray’s creation won’t utilize heavy and complicated machinery and mechanicals, rather a more minimalist approach will be preferred. This is a similar philosophy to that which has served as the bedrock of Lotus Cars for decades.

This new supercar will be launched under Murray’s own car company called Gordon Murray Automotive. Vehicles built under this brand will be based on a new version of the company’s automotive product system called iStream. This platform can be used to manufacture low-volume vehicles for customers with deep pockets.

In depth details regarding performance figures are a bit sketchy at the moment but further details of the car will be released on Friday, 3rd November at ‘One Formula’ exhibition, celebrating 50 years of Gordon Murray car designs.

TVR to launch new super sports car in September

TVR’s resurrection is tabled for the 8th of Septmber 2017 where it will unveil its first ever sports car since it went dark a few years ago. This is to be the first of a range of cars that are culmination of effort of TVR, Gordon Murray and Cosworth.

This car will be unveiled at the Goodwood Revival Earls Court Motor Show, marking the brand’s 70th anniversary. Based on the teaser image that was recently released, the car features angular contours that are reminiscent of its predecessors.

According to TVR, this vehicle will offer performance that will rival that of some of the established models from the likes of Porsche, Jaguar and Ferrari. And contrary to popular belief, the British automaker has a solid team in place that are serious about restarting one of the most revered driver-focused British sports car brands in existence.

Gordon Murray Design Limited and iStream have been involved in the design work of the new range of cars. Both design firms have a wealth of knowledge in engineering and constructing automobiles. Both teams should help bring the company to new heights.

And in case you didn’t know, Gordon Murray was responsible for the McLaren F1. The very car that was not only beautiful to look at, but had the performance of an aircraft. It held the record for the fastest production car in the world for many years and it was only that the car was dethroned.

If you are as anxious as we are for the launch of the new TVR, stay tuned and we will bring you the very latest news when we find out.

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