Gordon Murray's Future Electric SUVs Will Be Game Changing

Gordon Murray, the brains behind the McLaren F1, has been hard at work placing the final touches on his upcoming T.50 hypercar. Powered by a Cosworth-fettled 3.9-liter V12, the naturally-aspirated mill generates more than 650 horsepower as it screams toward the 12,000 rpm redline.

With customer deliveries expected to kick off in the next two years, one would imagine Murray has his hands full - but he has a few more tricks up his sleeve. The South African-born designer has already spoken out about his desire to create an all-electric SUV, but Autocar has gleaned insights into the future battery-powered offerings.

He told the publication the new electric SUVs will "change [how] we think about range anxiety and vehicle dynamics."

Murray has previously said the "city SUV" will be accompanied by a commercial EV, with Gordon Murray Automotive aiming to attract companies with small fleets. The 75-year-old is keeping his cards close to his chest, but he did confirm an additional SUV will join the more compact offering.

Both, however, will be aimed at the mass market with keen pricing at the front of the company's mind. However, they will be developed according to the GMA ethos. Expect clever weight-saving solutions, remarkable aerodynamics, and clever packaging. The smaller model will be introduced as a front-wheel-driven four-seater, with the larger SUV debuting as a four-wheel-drive vehicle with seating for five.

However, only one will wear the GMA badge - the other is being developed on behalf of another automaker.

The compact electric EV has been described by Murray as a "practical small car, rather than a tiny city car." When it does eventually arrive, we expect it to be a dynamic, visually arresting alternative to the Kia Niro EV or perhaps even the upcoming Fisker Pear.

The design fundi's approach is very interesting. In a world where a small family car can weigh as much as 3,900 lbs (we're looking at you, Nissan Leaf) it's refreshing to see someone take a unique approach. A lightweight electric car won't only be fun to drive but will be able to travel greater distances on a single charge.

"It can't be correct to have family cars routinely weighing 2.5 tonnes, yet everyone's piling into the thing the way OEMs do. We think there's a better way," said Murray.