Gordon Murray Automotive blows roof off of new T.33 Spider

Introduced last year as a less hardcore version of the T.50, Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) has detailed the latest version of the Porsche 904-styled T.33, the drop-top T.33 Spider.

No roof first

The actual model that set the template for the coupe that premiered in January last year, the Spider’s main difference is the removable carbon fibre roof that fits underneath the bonnet where owners of the fixed roof model would typically store their luggage.

As means of still providing practicality, the rear wings have been re-engineered to open on either side to provide a pair of storage areas capable of accommodating 90-litres each.

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What else has changed?

At the rear, the A-pillars have been restyled and a rollover hoop added in order to avoid an awkward look without the roof panels in place and to aid stiffness, aspects designer and GMA CEO, South African-born Gordon Murray, was keen on right from the beginning.

“I knew that one of the biggest challenges in designing the T.33 Spider would be keeping the purity, balance and overall beauty of the T.33.

“That’s why I sketched both versions at the same time to make sure that the proportions would work,” the former McLaren and Brabham Formula 1 designer said.

Heavier but still stiff

Still with the airbox centrally positioned between the roof buttresses, the Spider sports a rear window that drops into a recess located within the bulkhead, electrically, for the complete “immersive Spider experience”.

Tipping the scales at a mere 18kg heavier than the coupe for a final kerb mass of 1 108 kg, the T.33 Spider’s carbon fibre monocoque chassis and carbon fibre panels required no additional modifications in the switch from fixed to removable-top, meaning it retains the same torsional rigidity and stiffness.

Riding on the same 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres made specifically for it, the T.33 Spider not only boasts the same carbon ceramic brakes and caliper setup as the coupe, but also the aluminium uprights and toe-links, mono-tube dampers also crafted out of aluminium and the Inclined Axis Shear Mountings.

Driver focused inside

Inside, the interior continues unchanged from the coupe, meaning it features the same steering wheel resplendent on what is still Murray’s most iconic creation, the McLaren F1, with no traditional centrally mounted infotainment display and no steering column stalks.

Instead, the latter is supplemented by buttons on the steering wheel and entertainment provided by an audio system, fitted with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessed via one of the two screens located on either side of the rev-counter.

As with the coupe, the T.33 Spider’s gear lever, pedals and switchgear are all made-out of lightweight aluminium and the leather-wrapped steering wheel from carbon fibre.

Rev, rev and rev some more

Located at the rear, the engine cover no longer opens in a gullwing-fashion as a result of the wings, but still hides the GMA and Cosworth partnership that is the normally aspirated 3.9-litre V12.

Able to rev up to 11 100 rpm, the comparatively lightweight 178 kg powerplant produces 452kW/451Nm, with 75% of the former available from 2 500 rpm and 90% of the latter from between 4 500 rpm and 10 500 rpm.

Unlike the coupe, T.33 Spider can only be had with the Xtrac-developed six-speed manual gearbox as a result of poor demand for the paddle-shift operated six-speed Instantaneous Gearchange System (IGS) ‘box.

How much?

Like the T.33 coupe, only 100 examples of the T.33 Spider will be made at an alleged price tag of $1.7-million (R31-million) according to US publication, Road and Track.

Similarly, production will take place in right-and-left-hand-drive, with delivers forecasted to start next year.

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