Gordon Murray’s T25 and T27 confirmed for production

August 14, 2013: British automobile designer Gordon Murray’s innovative T25 and T27 city cars have been sold to an unnamed manufacturer ahead of a projected market launch in 2016.

Murray confirmed the news on his official blog. "The T25 and T27 concept has now been sold to a customer and with a following wind a lot more drivers should be able to enjoy the centre drive experience in 2016," he said.

The T25 and T27 are city cars with a 1+2 seating, the front seat being central. A modified, rear-mounted three-cylinder 660cc 51bhp Smart petrol engine powers the T25, while the T27 is an all-electric version of the same car.

The cars foreshadow a new era of tiny, great-to-drive economy cars as well as a highly original manufacturing process called iStream that slashes the investment, factory space and energy required for manufacturing.

With a kerb weight of only 575kg, the T25 weighs considerably less than the Smart Fortwo (which weighs in at 750kg), while its footprint is also much smaller measuring 2400mm in length, 1300mm in width and 1400mm in height. Its turning circle is around six metres.

Independent suspension features all-around, as does proper crash structures and features such as ABS, traction control and an airbag. The tubular steel and composite floor chassis frame creates a chassis that is "exceptionally strong", according to Gordon Murray Design.

It has just one door, which swings open upwards to allow access even in tight spaces. The T25 can be parked front on into a space a normal car would have to parallel park into. The rear passenger seats can be folded flat to offer a significant load-carrying capacity of 720 litres. The standard boot capacity is 160 litres.

In his blog, Murray also revealed he has signed contracts for four other projects based around his iStream manufacturing process, and two other projects not related to iStream. By the end of 2013 he plans to have two new prototypes running, meaning the firm would have created six working prototypes since its inception in 2007.

“The next challenge in the iStream story is to develop one or more of our current programmes into a mass-produced vehicle so that as many folks as possible can enjoy the benefits of low cost, low weight and very high levels of safety that iStream provides -- truly Formula One technology for the everyday motorist,” he said.

Murray also revealed his Gordon Murray Design business has taken on 30 new staff to meet the increasing demand for its services, and has acquired two extra buildings next to his Guildford, Surrey, base to meet the expansion.

MARK TISSHAW, AUTOCAR UK