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Gordon Murray: iStream A Bigger Challenge Than Winning In F1

 
2,795 views Nov 1, 2011
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Gordon Murray describes his Batmobile

Gordon Murray describes his Batmobile

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It's fair to say that engineering genius Gordon Murray has divided opinion of late.

Revered for his work in Formula 1 racing resulting in several team world titles and best known for his contribution to the seminal McLaren F1 supercar in the early 90s, his current project to revolutionize personal transportation has certainly raised a few eyebrows.

In an in-depth interview with The Engineer, Murray explains why he left F1 and won't go back, why car manufacturers don't want to create their own small car revolution and why his iStream process is so important.

Murray isn't keen on the current F1 regulations. "The rules are written to support the show rather than support new technologies... I would like to get rid of all the artificial overtaking technology and introduce overtaking by just opening the regulations in certain areas and restricting them in others" he explains.

F1's loss is engineering's gain, however. Murray sees his iStream process as a "far bigger challenge than winning an F1 championship". Compared to the huge budgets involved in making an F1 car, or even a performance road car go quickly, making a clever small car is much trickier.

He explains how expensive steel pressings make current minicars almost as expensive to produce as larger vehicles, so there's less margin in it for the carmakers.

murray t25 main 630

murray t25 main 630

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This is where iStream comes in, which requires 80 percent less capital investment and uses less energy and space.

A car manufactured with iStream is far cheaper to produce and as we've seen before with his ultra-efficient electric T.27 concept, no less safe than any other car in the sector. A steel tube frame makes up much of the car which is simple and quick to build and good at distributing loads around the car, both in normal driving and in an impact.

That's quite an achievement from such a small vehicle, but the weight and cost benefits are passed on to the consumer, who gets a more efficient and cheaper vehicle. It's also a technique that can be applied to virtually any body style - the biggest Murray has designed is a 13-seat, off-road truck, and we've already seen the T.25, T.27 and TEEWAVE AR.1 sports car.

Gordon Murray & Toray's TEEWAVE AR.1 electric sports car

Gordon Murray & Toray's TEEWAVE AR.1 electric sports car

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Whether you like the direction Murray has taken or not, one thing is for sure - if iStream takes off, the buyers - and manufacturers - of small cars will have never had it so good.

You can read the full Murray interview at The Engineer.



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