Six-Speed Manual Only: Gordon Murray S1 Reclaims Pure Analog Driving
Debuting at Monterey Car Week, the street-legal 680-horsepower supercar features active aero and a central driving position.
Summary
Gordon Murray Special Vehicles debuted the S1, a road-going, 3-seat tribute to the McLaren F1.
It features a 680-hp 4.2-liter naturally aspirated engine paired strictly with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Upgrades include active aerodynamics, raised suspension, and an Inconel exhaust with 24-carat gold heat shielding.
Gordon Murray Special Vehicles debuted the S1 at Monterey Car Week, presenting a naturally aspirated supercar designed as a road-going tribute to the iconic McLaren F1. The new model serves as a refined counterpart to the track-focused S1 LM revealed in 2025. While the two vehicles share a carbon-fiber monocoque, the street-legal version features entirely bespoke bodywork and replaces aggressive fixed wings with an integrated active rear aero system.
Under the rear clamshell sits a 4.2-liter Cosworth V-12 producing 680 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. The mid-mounted powerplant utilizes titanium valves, titanium connecting rods and silicon carbide-coated lightweight pistons to safely achieve a staggering 12,100-rpm redline. Engineers tuned the motor to deliver 80 percent of its peak torque at just 2,500 rpm for improved everyday drivability. Buyers receive a six-speed manual transmission as the sole gearbox option, complete with straighter cable routing to enhance shift feel. The engine bay also visually honors its 1990s predecessor by incorporating a polished Inconel exhaust setup surrounded by a 24-carat gold-plated heat shield.
To transform the hardcore platform into a capable touring machine, the engineering team increased the ride height by 10 millimeters and softened the suspension setup to maximize mechanical grip. The exterior design incorporates traditional dihedral doors equipped with standard roll-down glass rather than the fixed Lexan windows found on the LM variant. It rides on a staggered wheel setup featuring 19-inch front and 21-inch rear alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, with stopping power provided by cross-drilled Brembo brakes.
Inside the cabin, the signature three-seat central driving position remains intact but gains thicker seat padding, enhanced sound insulation and a specially designed lightweight audio system. Founder Gordon Murray stated the special projects division exists to execute unique commissions that deviate from the rigid engineering formulas of the standard product lineup. Production is capped at 64 examples globally, marking a significant increase from the five-unit run of the LM. Although official pricing remains undisclosed, market demand for Murray’s creations remains astronomical, highlighted by a recent auction where an S1 LM commanded over $20.6 million USD.
