Gordon Murray S1 is a 21st century nod to the iconic McLaren F1 nineties supercar - and it's going to be pricey

Legendary car designer Gordon Murray has revealed his latest supercar, and it will bring back the spirit of the iconic McLaren F1 he famously penned some 35 years ago.In a rare turn for high-performance supercars of this generation, the Gordon Murray S1 will have a manual gearbox. It will also feature a bespoke 4.2-litre naturally aspirated Cosworth V12 engine producing up to 681bhp.Building on the Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV) S1 LM platform, the new S1 will be a 'touring-focused evolution', making it different in both 'character and purpose' from the race-inspired S1 LM.Gordon Murray fans will notice the car does share a similar character and purpose to the McLaren F1 road car, Murray's most famous automotive work and considered by many to be one of the greatest cars of all time.While 106 McLaren F1s were made between 1992 and 1998, only 64 S1s will be produced worldwide, making it one of the most exclusive supercars on sale today.But don't get too excited. Even if you have almost unlimited millions to play with, you won't be able to buy one because the entire production run has already sold out. Gordon Murray has revealed his latest supercar, called the S1 (left), and it will bring back the spirit of the iconic McLaren F1 he famously designed some 35 years ago Last year, Professor Gordon Murray unveiled the S1 LM, a modern interpretation of the 1995 McLaren F1 LM. This rare, road-legal supercar was a tribute to the GTR that won Le Mans in 1995.The S1 LM was the modern pinnacle of Murray's central seating position, manual gearbox and rear-mounted naturally aspirated V12. With 627bhp, it could reach 243mph thanks to its lightweight design.Exactly one year on from this road-legal, race-inspired, record-setting S1 LM, the S1 arrives with a substantial increase in accessible torque for effortless touring performance.Revealed at The Quail during Monterey Car Week, GMSV says that although the S1 shares the same design language and DNA as the S1 LM, every body panel has been redesigned and is unique to the new supercar.Looks-wise, the S1 removes the S1 LM's large, fixed rear wing, long front splitter and deep side skirts, resulting in a cleaner silhouette inspired by classic proportions. GMSV has integrated a new active rear aero system into the bodywork to increase mechanical grip, balance and confidence on the road.And while the S1 keeps the S1 LM's wide, lightweight suspension architecture and broad tyres, it features a 10mm increase in ride height. Like the original McLaren F1, Gordon Murray's new creation has a manual gearbox and a naturally aspirated V12 engine Only 64 S1s will be produced worldwide, making it one of the most exclusive supercars on sale today Last year, Murray unveiled the S1 LM, a modern interpretation of the 1995 McLaren F1 LM. This rare, road-legal supercar was a tribute to the GTR that won Le Mans in 1995 The first S1 LM sold for more than $20million at auction in 2025. Only five were made In keeping with Gordon Murray's laser focus on weight reduction, the S1's body is made from ultra-lightweight carbon fibre, while the suspension uses lightweight components throughout.The power steering can be tailored to suit the driver's preference, whether for more relaxed cruising or a more unfiltered connection.Other features unique to the S1 include daytime running lamps integrated into the front light clusters and main-beam auxiliary lights housed within the air intake at the nose of the car.These are a nod to Murray's 1992 Monaco show car design, which featured similar lower lights, an element that never reached production.The S1 will also feature A-pillar-mounted mirrors that integrate a rear-view camera system.Petrol heads will appreciate an engine bay that highlights the V12 as the centrepiece, alongside the polished Inconel exhaust and 24-carat gold-plated heat shield.The three-seat interior is built around Gordon Murray's central driving position but offers a more refined and luxurious cockpit than the S1 LM, while also providing touring-level seat comfort.Buyers with deep pockets can expect premium leather, bespoke fabrics, tailored trims, enhanced acoustic isolation, revised infotainment screens and a bespoke audio system. The three-seat interior is built around Murray's focus on a central driving position but offers a more refined and luxurious cockpit than the S1 LM, along with touring-level seat comfort The new S1 will be a 'touring-focused evolution' of the S1 LM, making it different in both 'character and purpose' from the race-inspired supercar unveiled this time last year The S1's body is made from ultra-lightweight carbon fibre, while the suspension uses lightweight components throughout GMSV says the S1 carries Murray's ultra-exclusive, lightweight, driver-focused supercar philosophy into a more refined, usable and touring-focused form.Each of the 64 S1s will be individually commissioned and specified by its owner, and pricing remains undisclosed.However, it is expected to cost less than the S1 LM because more examples are being built. The first S1 LM sold for more than $20million at auction in 2025.So expect to pay millions for an S1, but maybe not $20million... CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST