Small is quickly becoming the new big, and Gordon Murray Design is delving into the trend. The Surrey-based company is aiming to be a world authority in vehicle design, and they’ve pulled talented designers and engineers together to create a new kind of ‘city car’ called the T.25.

Gordon Murray Design says the three-seat T.25 pushes the boundaries of lightweight, compact design. (Photo: Gordon Murray Design)
Though Gordon Murray is perhaps most famous for designing the blistering McLaren F1 supercar, his latest work has the far more sensible and modest goal of solving congestion and traffic-related issues faced by big cities while delivering low to no-emissions performance.
Smaller than a Smart Fortwo or a Toyota IQ, Gordon Murray Design says the three-seat T.25 pushes the boundaries of lightweight, compact design-- and that up to three units can fit in the same parking space or highway lane occupied by a single conventional car.
Of course, the T.25’s diminutive size means it’s also very light-- and that it can be powered by a small and very thrifty engine. The powerplant fitted for the model’s recent launch was a 600 cc three-cylinder unit that develops 51 horsepower while turning in 0-60 figures of around 16 seconds.
Mileage is rated at over 60 miles per gallon-- or under 4L / 100km for us Canadians. Ultimately, the T.25 seeks to help would-be owners save fuel, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep more money in their pockets.
The T.25’s efficiency extends further than just its drivetrain, too. A unique iStream production process saves energy and allows the T.25 to be built in smaller and more efficient plants.
Holger Erker, Managing Director of IPE Engineering, comments "After a complete and comprehensive comparison of the process details and seeing the vehicle prototype build, our conclusion is affirmative that the innovative vehicle and process design of this project is outstanding. From our analysis, the iStream process can be positively qualified as the most promising manufacturing process development in the car industry of the next decade".

Photo: Gordon Murray Design