Gordon Murray Says XP3 is Fastest F1

[McLaren Mike]

In the latest EVO Magazine, with 200mph a club on the front, in one section called speed addicts, Gordon Murray tells of his experiences with the xp3, he says " the car has a slight advantage over all the other f1's, its a little faster than all of them". He also says this is because it is lighter than all f1's, its older engine makes it faster (i didn't get this), and it has more horsepower (660 rather than the normal 627).

It also says his experiences racing young hopefuls in m3's on the open road highway in Belgium, quite a funny story. Guess who wins.

Just thought u enthusiasts might like to know, when I first saw it I thought it was not true, but then its the designer we are talking about here. Anyway hope everyone enjoys the info,

rgrds

Mike

[Stratoraptor]

i would like to see this article. do u have a link?

the XP3 might have the potential to be fast, but it hasnt gone over the 231mph when it was tested at Volkswagen Nardo test track.

the fastest recorded F1 is still the XP5 with 240mph. it rev limiter was removed so that it can get that speed.

maybe the XP3 COULD have gone faster, but its not known for sure....

[zx4000]

Originally Posted by McLaren Mike

In the latest EVO Magazine, with 200mph a club on the front, in one section called speed addicts, Gordon Murray tells of his experiences with the xp3, he says " the car has a slight advantage over all the other f1's, its a little faster than all of them". He also says this is because it is lighter than all f1's, its older engine makes it faster (i didn't get this), and it has more horsepower (660 rather than the normal 627).

It also says his experiences racing young hopefuls in m3's on the open road highway in Belgium, quite a funny story. Guess who wins.

Just thought u enthusiasts might like to know, when I first saw it I thought it was not true, but then its the designer we are talking about here. Anyway hope everyone enjoys the info,

rgrds

Mike

I came across your post reading some writing related to G.M. I think his private life will get us make fun if you post or link what you have read. Please.......

[Mclaren240!]

Dosent he own xp3 wasnt it sugested? Or was it written of?

[Peloton25]

Holy old thread...

And yes, Gordon does own XP3 now.

>8^)
ER

[zx4000]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

Holy old thread...

And yes, Gordon does own XP3 now.

>8^)
ER

My focus is not for Gordon own XP3 but the article related to Gordon's private life. Yes, too much old but valuable for reading to new or people who haven't ever seen before.

[Mclaren240!]

Is that confirmed it wasnt written of was it the one that was crashed? Thats what makes me thnink Ron Denis owns xp2, xp3 went to Murry and xp4 to Bruce Mclarens family would make sence though im just gussing.

[mls]

From evo May 2003 (issue #055), page #095

[amanichen]

I think this is a case of people confusing speed and acceleration like many uninformed people do. Since he's referring to XP3 being lighter, and having more power than a production F1, it's pretty obvious he's talking about acceleration, and not speed. And then even the article is based on his own experiences with the car accelerating at mid-high speeds.

People misuse the term "faster" all the time, especially when talking about acceleration competitions. A car that runs the 1/4 mile in 10 seconds is QUICKER (better acceleration) than a car that runs the 1/4 mile in 11 seconds...but the 10 second car may not be a FASTER (higher top speed) car.

[Spurkey]

Originally Posted by McLaren Mike

He also says this is because it is lighter than all f1's, its older engine makes it faster (i didn't get this), and it has more horsepower (660 rather than the normal 627).

For the first 10,000 miles or so an engine is still undergoing break-in as rough edges wear down and things settle in, even for a hand-built engine such as the F1's. I bought a new Trans Am in 2002 and now, with a little over 25,000 miles on it, it's more than a half-second quicker in the 1/4 mile.

Although it's probably pointless to bother replying to a 2-year old post....

[McLaren Mike]

Thanks alot mls.. alot of people thought it was crap until u posted the actual artice.. very old but nice of you to do so.

-Mike

[arjan916]

Another nice story about XP3.



More specific, the story behind this picture in Driving Ambition;
XP3 was the first of the proper development cars.
XP1 was a 'no frills ' R&D car.
XP2 was always going to be the crash test car after it had been used.
XP3 was the first totaly as per road car, ie, 630bhp engine, air con, etc.
We had it finished all, but a few parts; doors, which were made in the Mclaren cars carbon facility along with all the carbon parts, a few minor interior parts as well.
Gordon Murray came down from his office upstairs said; if you want to be brave, put it in the trailer and lets shake it down, we don't need those bits ! ! !
And that's why it has no doors.
No other reason at all, Gordon didn't want to wait anymore to go and try it
Peter Stevens came over as well; 140 mph with no doors and Gordon going for it concentrates the mind .... ! ! !

(if someone sees Gordon and ask him, he 'll remember it for sure and will start laughing and telling, again and again what a nice time it was)

[Peloton25]

I wish there was a statute of limitations to run out when people send me cool photos and ask me not to share them. I have another pair of shots of that episode - better in quality than the tiny thumbnail we get to see in Driving Ambition, but someone else is handling the driving duties instead of Gordon and there is smiling man in a full business suit who I do not recognize stationed in the near passenger seat. Seemed to be enjoying the experience anyway.

Cool to have the backstory now - I had always sort of wondered what was going through their minds on that day.

>8^)
ER

[Sami Aaltonen]

So that was the Arjan's story, what I waited last night.
Very nice details from history.