GMSV Le Mans GTR Review – 12,100 rpm V12, Manual Gearbox & Track-Only Purity

Introduction

When was the last time a car made you feel instead of just measure numbers? The GMSV Le Mans GTR is Gordon Murray Special Vehicles’ unapologetic answer to that very question—a long-tail, track-bred hypercar with a screaming V12 that revs to 12,100 rpm, a 6-speed manual gearbox, and zero compromises on pure analog sensation.

Forget spreadsheets and stopwatch bragging rights—this is about sound, flow, and mechanical truth. Let’s dive deep into why this car exists, what it delivers, and why 24 very lucky people will never look at another hypercar the same way.


What Exactly Is the GMSV Le Mans GTR?

The Le Mans GTR is the ultimate expression of Gordon Murray’s obsession with purity. Built by the GMSV (Gordon Murray Special Vehicles) division, it is derived from the already-legendary GMA T.50, but stripped, stiffened, and sharpened for the circuit.

It exists because one private collector asked the question: “What would a modern Le Mans long-tail look and feel like if designed without compromises?” Murray answered with this masterpiece.

This isn’t a marketing stunt or a hybrid-laden concept. It’s a mechanical symphony designed to be driven flat-out on track, tuned for lap-after-lap consistency.


A V12 That Screams to 12,100 rpm

At the core is the naturally aspirated Cosworth-built 3.9L V12, one of the lightest and most responsive engines ever made. In the GMA T.50, it delivers around 650 hp—but here, it’s recalibrated for circuit life.

What makes it special:

  • Rev limit: 12,100 rpm (higher than many F1 engines of the V10/V12 era).

  • Sound: A roof-mounted RAM air intake funnels that wail straight into the cockpit.

  • Gearbox: A 6-speed manual, tuned for precision shifts—not launch control drag races.

In an era of twin-turbo torque curves and electric instant power, this is a reminder of why people fell in love with engines in the first place.

GMSV Le Mans GTR Review – Gordon Murray’s 12,100 rpm Longtail Masterpiece


Chassis and Aerodynamics: Classic Longtail Philosophy

Unlike the fan-driven aero wizardry of the T.50, the Le Mans GTR sticks to classic motorsport aero:

  • Front splitter & side skirts for clean airflow.

  • Full-width rear wing for high-speed stability.

  • Dual-channel diffuser to ground the car under braking and in corners.

  • Lightweight suspension & wider track for sharper handling.

  • Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires that glue the car down once heated.

The longtail design isn’t about fashion—it’s about stability at endurance pace, inspired by the golden era of Le Mans prototypes.

GMSV Le Mans GTR Review – Gordon Murray’s 12,100 rpm Longtail Masterpiece


Exclusivity: 24 Cars, All Sold

Production is capped at 24 units—a symbolic nod to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Price? Not officially disclosed, but insiders suggest $7–8 million+ depending on spec.

The interior is all business—race seats, functional switchgear, tailored ergonomics, but still customizable with colors and trim. It’s as collectible as it is drivable, much like the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut or McLaren F1 LM of past eras.


Rivals? Or a Different Philosophy Entirely?

The Le Mans GTR doesn’t try to fight Tesla Plaid lap times or compete with YangWang U9 EV torque madness. Instead, it stands apart:

  • Analog vs Digital: Manual feedback vs electronic trickery.

  • Long Stint vs Short Burst: Built for consistency, not one-shot acceleration.

  • Sound vs Silence: V12 scream vs EV whoosh.

  • Purist vs Hybrid Tech: Lightweight mechanical honesty vs advanced powertrain complexity.

You could cross-shop it against a Lamborghini Fenomeno hybrid V12, Ferrari FXX-K Evo, or even a Mustang GTD Liquid Carbon, but truthfully—the GMSV Le Mans GTR lives in its own category.

GMSV Le Mans GTR Review – Gordon Murray’s 12,100 rpm Longtail Masterpiece


Quickfire Technical Highlights

  • Naturally aspirated V12 revving to 12,100 rpm

  • 6-speed manual gearbox

  • Classic longtail aero (splitter, diffuser, full wing)

  • Lightweight suspension & wider track

  • Michelin Cup 2 tires

  • 24 units, all sold


Final Verdict: A Soulful Track Weapon

The GMSV Le Mans GTR isn’t for lap record headlines or Nürburgring marketing. It’s for purists who want to hear every rev, feel every shift, and fight every corner with their hands.

It’s soulful because it talks back—through its V12 wail, its aero balance, its manual engagement. And in a world dominated by EVs and hybrids, this car is a loud, defiant hymn to driving purity.

For 24 collectors, it’s the closest thing to mechanical art money can buy. For the rest of us, it’s the kind of car that reminds us why driving matters.


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