Gordon Murray S1 Brings a New Edge to Analogue Performance

Gordon Murray has revealed the S1, a new ultra-exclusive supercar designed to make long-distance driving as rewarding as a fast blast through the hills.

Unveiled at The Quail during Monterey Car Week 2026, the S1 takes the engineering of the extreme S1 LM and gives it a more relaxed character. Only 64 examples will be built worldwide, making this a particularly rare addition to Gordon Murray’s growing family of driver-focused cars.

At its heart sits a naturally aspirated 4.2-litre Cosworth V12. It produces up to 690 PS and revs to an extraordinary 12,100 rpm. Better still, Gordon Murray pairs it with a six-speed manual gearbox.

That combination already makes the S1 unusual. Its focus on comfort and touring makes it even more intriguing.

Gordon Murray Automotive continues to build its cars around the idea of the purest possible driving experience, with low weight and driver involvement at the centre of its philosophy.

S1 LM DNA with a different purpose

The S1 shares its foundations with the S1 LM, but the two cars take different approaches.

The S1 LM celebrates Gordon Murray’s 1995 Le Mans victory with an uncompromising road-legal interpretation of a racing car and it takes that same platform in another direction.

Instead of chasing maximum aerodynamic downforce, it prioritises mechanical grip, balance and confidence.

That change is obvious from the outside.

The S1 removes several of the S1 LM’s most aggressive features, including:

• The large fixed rear wing
• The extended front splitter
• The deep side skirts
• The race-inspired side window design

Every exterior panel is new. As a result, the S1 has a cleaner shape with more traditional proportions.

It also gains an active rear aerodynamic system. The system sits neatly within the bodywork and adjusts to provide stability when the car needs it.

A 12,100 rpm Cosworth V12 takes centre stage

The S1’s engine deserves plenty of attention.

Its bespoke 4.2-litre naturally aspirated Cosworth V12 develops up to 690 PS and around 500 Nm of torque. It can spin to 12,100 rpm, giving the car a very different character from the turbocharged engines found in many modern supercars.

Gordon Murray has also tuned the engine for road use. More than 80 per cent of its torque is available from 2,500 rpm, helping the S1 feel responsive without requiring the driver to constantly chase the upper reaches of the rev range.

The engine uses several lightweight, competition-derived components, including:

• Silicon carbide-coated lightweight pistons
• Titanium valves
• Titanium connecting rods
• A dry-sump lubrication system

The result should be an engine that responds quickly to throttle inputs while retaining the sound and character of a high-revving V12.

Six gears and no automatic shortcut

The S1 sends its power through a six-speed manual gearbox.

That choice matters. In an era when automated transmissions dominate the supercar market, Gordon Murray has retained a physical connection between the driver and the engine.

The sixth gear also has a longer touring ratio. Therefore, the S1 can settle into relaxed cruising when the road stretches ahead.

Revised gearbox cable routing aims to make each shift precise and direct. It is another reminder that the S1 places driver involvement ahead of outright convenience.

Comfort without losing the driving focus

Although the S1 is related to the S1 LM, Gordon Murray has changed the suspension to suit longer journeys.

The ride height increases by 10mm, while revised damping adds greater compliance. However, the car retains the lightweight suspension architecture and wider tyres of its more aggressive sibling.

The company has also kept weight firmly under control. Despite additional cabin equipment, acoustic insulation and a more luxurious interior, the S1 has a target weight below that of the T.50.

That is a significant achievement for a car designed to offer greater touring comfort.

A cleaner interpretation of Gordon Murray design

The S1’s styling also looks back to Gordon Murray’s past.

Its new lighting arrangement gives the car a distinct identity. Meanwhile, auxiliary main-beam lights sit low inside the front intake.

That detail draws inspiration from Murray’s 1992 Monaco show car. The original design featured similar lower lights, although the feature never reached production.

The S1 also receives new lightweight wheels inspired by that same concept.

At the rear, the engine bay puts the V12 on display. A polished Inconel exhaust and 24-carat gold-plated heat shield add an extravagant finishing touch.

The A-pillar-mounted mirrors also integrate a discreet rear-view camera system, keeping the exterior clean without sacrificing visibility.

Three seats and a more luxurious cabin

Inside, the S1 retains one of Gordon Murray’s most distinctive ideas: a central driving position.

Two passenger seats sit behind and to either side of the driver, creating a three-seat layout. The low scuttle also gives the driver a clear view of the road ahead.

However, the S1 introduces more comfort than the S1 LM.

Its cabin features:

• Premium leather and bespoke fabrics
• More supportive touring-focused seats
• Improved acoustic insulation
• Revised infotainment screens
• A lightweight bespoke audio system
• Tailored interior trim

The driver can also select different levels of power-steering assistance. That allows the S1 to feel more relaxed during a motorway journey or more direct on a demanding road.

Even the doors have changed. New dihedral doors incorporate drop-down glass and open wider than the S1 LM’s race-inspired arrangement.

Gordon Murray S1: key specifications

A rare supercar with a clear mission

The Gordon Murray S1 occupies an interesting position in the modern supercar world.

It has the dramatic engineering expected from a limited-production flagship. Yet it also has a clear interest in comfort, usability and long-distance driving.

Most importantly, Gordon Murray has resisted the temptation to make every new car more extreme than the last. Instead, the S1 takes the S1 LM’s foundations and explores what happens when the same ingredients are given a more relaxed purpose.

With just 64 cars planned, opportunities to experience one will be exceptionally limited.

The S1 therefore offers something increasingly rare: a lightweight V12 supercar with three seats, a manual gearbox and no need to chase the biggest numbers in its class.

Would you choose the touring-focused S1 over the more extreme S1 LM? And does a 12,100 rpm V12 with a manual gearbox make the S1 one of the most exciting new supercars of 2026? Tell us what you think in the comments.

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