Gordon_Murray_Designs Official News – Page 2

Wed 22 May 2019

An Evening with Professor Gordon Murray CBE – Review

‘One Formula’ Book Launch

Not for the first time this year, the Club’s motoring enthusiasts enjoyed an evening celebrating another car design legend, Professor Gordon Murray CBE.

The evening celebrated Gordon’s latest ambitious project – the result of countless hours of work and hundreds of drawings going into its creation. Not a car, but a book. Published by Porter Press, ‘One Formula – 50 Years of Car Design’ is a two-volume work encompassing nearly all of Gordon’s car designs, of which there are over 80, and our evening celebrated its day of launch.

During the evening, Gordon spoke candidly about his decision to write a book, deeming the 50-year mark as an appropriate milestone. With countless drawings, notes and sketches he was able to record the design story of each car, noting that the most difficult part was choosing what not to include.

During the evening Gordon explained his One Formula philosophy which has run throughout his career. He has always focused on lightweight race cars as the key to helping cars go faster, citing that the combustion engine has almost been pushed to its limits.

The Early Days

The evening was hosted by TV presenter, former Le Mans 24 Hours racing driver and long-term friend of Gordon’s, Alain de Cadenet.

After some motorsport success in South Africa, Gordon sold-up and boarded a converted cargo boat bound for England. It was there Gordon applied for a role at the Lotus Formula 1 team with Colin Chapman but was disappointed to hear that the manufacturer had ran out of funds.

After this setback he joined Brabham under Bernie Ecclestone’s leadership and quickly rose up the ranks. He spoke fondly of his cutting edge BT44B, a design which appeared in the rotunda in celebration of the evening. He also spoke about his other standout designs, including the short lived, but extremely successful, BT46B fan car.

The McLaren Era

Gordon and Alain then spoke about his time spent working at McLaren under Ron Dennis, and for the famous racing duo of Prost and Senna. He recalled his surprise when it was announced they couldn’t begin pre-season testing because Alain Prost had chosen to go skiing. The relaxed discipline of the team proved a big surprise to Gordon!

It was Alain’s turn to reminisce when the conversation moved onto Gordon’s road car designs, and in particular the McLaren F1 car. Alain remembered feeling the full force of the car as it raced to over 230 miles per hour when with him and Gordon in it.

The next big success story for Gordon was his McLaren F1 car competing and winning the at Le Mans 24 Hours race at its very first attempt. The Professor deemed the victory one of his greatest successes, at is demonstrated how good the car was in that it didn’t have to be modified to a huge extent. It was a resounding victory for the team.

Gordon Murray Design

Finally Gordon spoke about his decision to set up his own Design Company, Gordon Murray Design. Now in its twelfth year, the team’s latest iStream technology encompasses the lightweight ‘One Formula’ to help achieve light but robust vehicles. The platform is highly versatile, and can be tailored to fit all engine types, and even autonomous vehicles.

Gordon offered a glimpse into the other vehicles he’s currently working on, including a new autonomous vehicle. He also shared his passion for the Rocket Car built in 1991. Although he didn’t confirm a newer model was on the cards, he did reveal he was running out of reasons not to make a start.

Rotunda Cars

In celebration of the evening, two of Gordon’s designs were placed in the rotunda.

The Brabham BT44B was a Formula 1 car which was driven by Carlos Reutemann and Carlos Pace, in which both of whom achieved a Grand Prix victory.

Also displayed was the first car to be built and raced by Gordon – the IGM Ford T.1. This was his first ever racing car created in his parents’ backyard and raced in sprints, hillclimbs and South African Nation Sports Cars (Class A) before he sold up and boarded a cargo ship for England in 1969.

Tue 14 May 2019

Gordon Murray presents virtual exhibition of life's work

50 years of automotive design and engineering immortalised in online showcase

Fans can ‘sit’ in Senna’s Formula One car; examine detail of a McLaren F1

Free exhibit goes live in tandem with Murray’s One Formula book launch

Gordon Murray has unveiled a fully-immersive, internet-based virtual exhibition of 40 different iconic race and road cars produced during the past 50 years of his illustrious career in vehicle design and engineering. The online exhibition, which brings to life the private ‘One Formula’ exhibition held in late 2017, is free to access and can be found at www.oneformulagordonmurray.com.

Motorsport fans can ‘walk’ among cars driven by legends including Piquet, Senna and Prost, and even ‘sit’ in the cockpits for a driver’s-eye view. Among the grand prix cars featured are the Brabham BT46B ‘Fan Car’, the BT49C that won the 1981 World Drivers’ Championship in the hands of Nelson Piquet, and the McLaren MP4/4, which Ayrton Senna drove to his first Drivers’ Championship victory in 1988.

Visitors can also explore the McLaren F1 – still the world’s fastest naturally-aspirated road car, and its celebrated Le Mans racing siblings. Other famed Murray projects showcased include the OX flat pack truck, the TVR Griffith and the revolutionary iStream® platform manufacturing technologies.

Professor Gordon Murray, CBE, said: “It is such thrill to share my passion for engineering purity, beautiful design, aerodynamic excellence, and technological innovation. Creating an exhibition in a free-to-view format, accessible to all, in stunning virtual reality is exciting and a source of great pride.

“For the One Formula exhibition, we gathered almost every race and road car from my 50-year career to date, and we were inundated with requests from fans across the world who wanted to visit. Being a short-term, private exhibition meant we couldn’t share our passion with these enthusiasts. So, doing so in virtual form is the next best thing!”

The launch of the free virtual exhibition coincides with the launch of Murray’s ‘One Formula’ book, a two-volume, 900-page epic that charts in detail the ideas, personal perspectives, triumphs and records achieved over 50 years of automotive design and engineering.

Those who explore every corner of the detailed and fascinating online showcase will see information and exhibits covering the design, engineering, prototyping and development of vehicles by Gordon Murray Design Limited. By scrutinising the principles Murray has applied across his career, visitors may piece-together the blueprint for a forthcoming supercar – which is currently under top secret development.

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Professor Gordon Murray, CBE – biography

Gordon Murray was born in Durban, South Africa in 1946 and gained a Mechanical Engineering Diploma from Natal Technical College. He designed, built and raced his own sports car (the IGM Ford) in the National Class in South Africa during 1967 and 1968.

In 1969 Gordon moved to the UK and joined the Brabham Formula One Team as Technical Director, winning two world championships (1981 and 1983) during his 17 years with the team. Gordon joined McLaren Racing as Technical Director in 1988 and three consecutive championship wins (1988, 1989 and 1990) followed. In 1990, Gordon moved away from Formula One – after 50 Grand Prix wins – to concentrate on establishing a new company for the group, McLaren Cars Limited.

The company’s first project, the F1 road car, is still regarded as one of the world’s best engineered cars. A racing version won two world sports car championships and the Le Mans 24-hour race on its first attempt in 1995. McLaren Cars then completed several other successful projects culminating in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren programme.

Gordon left McLaren in 2005 to set up his new company Gordon Murray Design Limited (in 2007), of which he is CEO and Technical Director. The innovative British company operates from Shalford in Surrey, and aims to be the world leader in automotive design. It reverses the current industry trend for sub-contracting by having a complete in-house capability for design, prototyping and development.

In 2017, Gordon Murray Design celebrated the company’s 10-year anniversary along with that of the iStream® manufacturing process. At a special event, named ‘One Formula’ Gordon Murray also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the McLaren F1 road car entering production, and his 50th year of car design and engineering.

In May 2019, Professor Murray was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) by the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William. The ceremony, held at Buckingham Palace, recognised the contributions made by Murray to the motorsport and automotive sectors over the past 50 years.

PR contacts

For further information, images or comment about the Gordon Murray Group, please contact:

Jon Visscher

PFPR Communications

Jon.Visscher@pfpr.com

01622 776 680 / 07816 906 794

Sarah Smith, Communications Officer

Gordon Murray Design

sarah.smith@gordonmurraydesign.com

01483 484 710

Virtual exhibition by Insight Simulation

Contact David Hothersall

david@insightsimulation.com

www.insightsimulation.com

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Thu 02 May 2019

Prince William presents CBE to Gordon Murray for ‘services to motoring’

Legendary automotive designer and engineer is recognised for 50 years’ dedicated service to the automotive industry

Today (2 May 2019), Professor Gordon Murray, the renowned automotive designer and engineer, was presented with a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) by the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William. The ceremony, held at Buckingham Palace, recognised the contributions made by Murray to the motorsport and automotive sectors over the past 50 years.

Gordon Murray said: “Receiving a CBE from Prince William is one of the highlights of my life – right up there with Formula One World Championship wins or creating the world’s fastest production car. The Gordon Murray Group is about to embark on an exciting new chapter, with ground-breaking innovation once again driving our growth. Energised by this accolade I can’t wait to continue the journey, supported by a dedicated and hugely talented team.”

50 years of service

Murray designed his first car in 1967 before moving to the UK to join the Brabham Formula One Team as Technical Director. There he won two world championships (1981 and 1983), before moving to McLaren International as Technical Director in 1988 where the team won three consecutive championships – 1988, 1989 and 1990.

After achieving 50 Formula One Grand Prix wins, Murray went on to establish a new company – McLaren Cars Limited. The company’s first project was the world-famous McLaren F1 Road Car. In 1995, a racing version won two world sports car championships and the Le Mans 24-hour race. Murray guided several other successful projects at McLaren Cars, culminating with the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren programme.

In 2007 Murray formed a new British company for the design, engineering, prototyping and development of vehicles – Gordon Murray Design Limited. The Surrey-based company has a global reputation as one of the finest automotive design teams in the world and is responsible for an innovative and disruptive manufacturing technology: iStream®.

On 14 May, Gordon Murray will launch a new book titled ‘One Formula’, which charts in detail his career over the past 50 years. It includes extensive details about the plethora of vehicles he has designed and engineered over the years from Formula One icons, to legendary road and race cars. Also, it covers many of the fascinating situations he’s encountered and achievements he’s made during his long and distinguished career.

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Gordon Murray – biography

In 2017, Gordon Murray Design celebrated the company’s 10-year anniversary along with that of the iStream manufacturing process. At a special event, named ‘One Formula’ Gordon Murray also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the McLaren F1 road car entering production, and his 50th year of car design and engineering.

PR contacts

For further information, images or comment about the Gordon Murray Group, please contact:

Jon Visscher

PFPR Communications

jon.visscher@pfpr.com

01622 776 680 / 07816 906 794

Sarah Smith, Communications Officer

Gordon Murray Design

sarah.smith@gordonmurraydesign.com

01483 484 710

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Fri 28 Dec 2018

Gordon Murray awarded CBE in Queen’s New Year Honours

Legendary automotive designer and engineer, Gordon Murray, made Commander of the British Empire for ‘services to Motoring’

Gordon Murray crowns 50 years of automotive design with royal recognition

Career highlights include 20 years in Formula One; designing the McLaren F1; and introducing the revolutionary iStream vehicle manufacturing process

Automotive designer and engineer, Professor Gordon Murray has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in the Queen’s New Year Honours 2019. The accolade is in recognition of his ‘services to Motoring’ after a lifetime of devising and delivering creative and ground-breaking projects in the motorsport and automotive sectors.

Gordon Murray said: “It is extremely humbling to receive a CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours. I’ve spent more than 50 years doing what I love, working with a wealth of highly-talented and creative people around the world, but primarily in the UK. From the competing during the heyday of Formula One, to designing the world’s fastest supercar, I’ve loved every minute. I’d like to dedicate this honour to all those I’ve worked with over the years and I look forward to an exciting new future for the Gordon Murray Group.”

Having designed his first car in 1967, Murray moved to the UK to join the Brabham Formula One Team as Technical Director winning two world championships (1981 and 1983), and then moved to McLaren International as Technical Director in 1988 where the team won three consecutive championships – 1988, 1989 and 1990.

Having accrued 50 Grand Prix wins in Formula One, he went on to establish a new company – McLaren Cars Limited. The Company’s first project was the renowned McLaren F1 Road Car. A racing version won two world sports car championships and the Le Mans 24-hour race in 1995. Murray guided several other successful projects at McLaren Cars, culminating with the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren programme.

In 2005 Murray formed a new British company for the design, engineering, prototyping and development of vehicles – Gordon Murray Design Limited. The Surrey-based company has a global reputation as one of the finest automotive design teams in the world and is responsible for an innovative and disruptive manufacturing technology: iStream®.

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About Gordon Murray Group
Gordon Murray Group currently incorporates Gordon Murray Design (GMD) and Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA).

GMA is a newly-established specialist vehicle manufacturing company, which will take innovative car designs from GMD into limited-run production using the iStream system. It will also be able to build vehicles on a low-volume basis for external customers, to bespoke designs or by licensing its own models. The T.43 sports car is the first platform and product designed for licence or sale by GMA.

About iStream
iStream is GMD’s revolutionary manufacturing system, which is now fully industrialised. The latest iteration of the system, iStream Superlight®, combines a high-strength aluminium frame with advanced carbon fibre composite panels – bringing Formula One-derived construction and technologies to mainstream car production. GMD is currently working on several global projects, all of which are based on GMD’s iStream manufacturing process.

PR contacts
For further information, images or comment about the Gordon Murray Group, please contact:

Sarah Smith, Communications Officer
Gordon Murray Design
sarah.smith@gordonmurraydesign.com

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Mon 10 Dec 2018

Shell showcases the Global Vehicle Trust ‘OX’ at its marquee event Make the Future in Chennai
Shell India launches the “OX to India” mission- a potential mobility solution for accessible, efficient, low-cost all-terrain transportation in developing regions

OX to India, a mission to showcase capability of vehicles by bringing low-cost, all-terrain mobility to rural communities in developing countries

Ox is lightweight and rugged; low cost with simple maintenance; designed for self-assembly, supplied fully assembled or flat-packed for easy shipping

Can carry a payload of 1,900kg including everyday necessities, medical supplies, building and agriculture materials. It can seat up to 13 people

Focusing on bridging the mobility divide in India, Shell today unveiled the world's first 'flat-pack' truck –The OX – an all-terrain vehicle for reaching remote areas. The OX is a low-cost and simple to maintain truck suitable for the diverse and rugged Indian terrain of deep sands, steep hills, marshy lands, and steep river banks in hard-to-reach communities in developing regions. It is also the world’s first flat-pack truck – it can be assembled from a flat-pack kit in less than 12 hours and transported in greater numbers to where it is needed more quickly.

Unveiled at the first edition of Shell’s Make the Future festival in India, the OX truck is a global partnership between Shell and Gordon Murray Design (GMD) and the Global Vehicle Trust (GVT). It is an effort by Shell to empower communities living in the interiors of the country, by providing an effective transportation solution.

Nitin Prasad, Chairman, Shell Companies in India, said “Limited mobility restricts access to basic amenities in remote areas. Shell is eager to contribute to developing and promoting effective mobility solutions thereby improving the quality of life of people in these areas. The OX is a very promising technology having immense potential to broaden access to transport possibilities. We are pleased to partner with GMD and GVT and hope this versatile vehicle will be instrumental in transforming lives and overcoming daily accessibility challenges.”

The flat-pack design makes OX the first-of-its-kind vehicle that is simple to maintain, having accessible components and fewer parts. It is ecologically sound, easy to manufacture, build and transport.

The lightweight OX originated from the vision of one man – Sir Torquil Norman, the founder of GVT, and is based on GMD’s flexible iStream technology. It is specifically designed to carry a payload of 1900 kg (twice the capacity of most current pickups), with a seating capacity of up to 13 people or eight 44-gallon drums.

The design for the OX is nothing short of revolutionary, and the flat-pack format fundamentally changes the way a vehicle can be bought and transported, providing specific advantages to lead times and overall unit cost.

The second day of the Make the Future, featuring Shell Eco-marathon, also saw student teams competing on the track after passing a detailed technical inspection. The winning teams under different categories will be announced on December 9th and rewarded with cash prize of INR 20 Lac.

Notes to Editor

About Make the Future India 2018

Held for the first time in India, Make the Future featuring Shell Eco-marathon, is a festival of ideas and innovation. It is a unique global platform for conversations, collaboration and innovations focused on world’s energy challenges. In India, the event focuses on “Powering progress in mobility, together”. The four-day event will feature bright energy ideas and solutions that address the global energy challenge: how to meet the energy demands of the future, while producing less CO2. Taking place at Madras Motor Race Track, Chennai from December 6-9, 2018, the event will host thousands of visitors, inviting them to experience the ideas, contribute their own and join the journey to an energy-efficient, low-carbon future.

About Shell Eco-marathon India

Shell Eco-marathon is a competition for students who are passionate about developing innovative mobility solutions. It challenges engineering, design, science and technology students to design, build and drive the world’s most energy efficient vehicle. Shell Eco-marathon is a visible demonstration of Shell’s commitment to help the world meet its growing energy needs in a responsible way by working together with students, partners and other stakeholders. Teams from colleges/universities across India will compete in an exciting head-to-toe race to see who has the most energy-efficient vehicle.

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Tue 06 Nov 2018

CARBON ALUMINIUM AUTOMOTIVE HYBRID STRUCTURES (CAAHS) PROJECT SHORTLISTED FOR THE ENGINEER’S COLLABORATE TO INNOVATE AWARDS (C2I) 2018
The Carbon Aluminium Automotive Hybrid Structures (CAAHS) project has been shortlisted within the Manufacturing Technology category for The Engineer’s Collaborate to Innovate Awards 2018, now in its third year, and is a celebration of collaboration highlighting the strength and depth of UK engineering innovation.

The CAAHS project – a part funded 2 year programme through the Innovate UK framework – has been a research based collaboration between 5 automotive partners, led by Gordon Murray Design, Constellium, Brunel University London, Innoval Technology and Bentley Motors. The major construction challenges of the project have been overcome and initial crash testing of the BIW structure is planned for mid November 2018. Due for completion at the end of November 2018, the project is on course to exceed expectations. The technology has delivered a weight saving of 35% compared to the current iStream® solution (based on steel and glass fibre composites) and translates into a saving of 50% over conventional pressed steel BIW construction. iStream Superlight®, as the technology is referred to, is anticipated to be the predominate technology offered by Gordon Murray Design to it’s clients in the future and is already the basis of several vehicle programmes being undertaken.

The project aims to take another major step with the disruptive iStream technology for a new generation of lightweight vehicles for the UK market that can have a major impact on the UK government’s carbon reduction targets for the UK vehicle fleet.

The ultimate winners of C2I 2018 will be announced on November 6th at the historic St Bart’s Brewery in London.

What the judges have said:

“At Frazer-Nash, we know that effective collaboration and the development of innovative solutions is vital in today’s increasingly competitive markets. We’re delighted to support a competition that recognises the achievements of effective partnerships and the value that innovation delivers to the UK economy.” Bill Hodson, Board Director, Frazer-Nash Consultancy

“I found the level of collaboration quite astonishing – the other thing that comes out is the cross-fertilisation of techniques and technologies from one sector to another.” John Halton, Director Business & Industry, Engineering UK

Professor Gordon Murray, Chairman at Gordon Murray Design said of the award “It is a great honour for the CAAHS consortium that the CAAHS project has been shortlisted for The Engineer’s Collaborate to Innovate Awards 2018. For me personally, the most important message is the recognition that we need innovation in both technical and business sectors to help the UK take the lead in the new ‘green’ industrial revolution that is taking place in the automotive industry.”

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Notes to Editors:

About Gordon Murray Design Limited

Gordon Murray Design is a visionary design and engineering company with its headquarters in Shalford in Surrey, plus R&D and manufacturing facilities in Dunsfold. It was established in 2007 with a focus on developing an innovative and disruptive manufacturing technology trademarked iStream®, and has since built a global reputation as one of the finest automotive design teams in the world.

The company’s unique approach and truly creative thinking enables Gordon Murray Design to deliver complete car programmes in a highly efficient and innovative way from concept and design, through to prototype and development for production.

About iStream

Rather than the traditional method of combining hundreds of panels of stamped metal, iStream uses tubular metal with 10 – 15 structural composite panels. iStream Superlight® is the ultimate automotive lightweighting technology as it maximises the iStream approach by using cored honeycomb carbon fibre composite and an aluminium frame to save almost 50% in weight against a standard stamped metal chassis.

iStream is an acronym for iS = Stabilised; T = Tube; R = Reinforced; E = Exo-frame; A = Advanced; M = Manufacturing.

www.istreamtechnology.co.uk

About iStream Superlight®

Advantages of iStream Superlight

50% saving over conventional stamped steel BIW

High degree of flexibility in optimising aluminium section shapes to ensure structural efficiency

Corrosion resistant properties exceed coated steel

Cold metal transfer welding reduces distortion and manufacturing time

Low weight aluminium frame can deliver a cost neutral BIW when compared to stamped steel

Delivers new levels of efficient body quality

Aluminium saving vs conventional aluminium BIW

More efficient frame stiffness achieved for aluminium section through use of carbon iPanels®

Low cost, high recycled content aluminium alloys

Re-cycled carbon fibre

Aluminium iFrame® protected from external damage

All hard points (i.e. suspension, steering etc.) are carried by the aluminium iFrame

Carbon sandwich panel cycle time of 100 seconds

About Bentley Motors

Bentley Motors is the most sought after luxury car brand in the world. The company’s headquarters in Crewe is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production of the company’s four model lines, Continental, Flying Spur, Bentayga and Mulsanne. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury car brands such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley employs around 4,000 people at Crewe.

About Brunel University London

Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST), at Brunel University London, led by Professor Zhongyun Fan, is an internationally renowned Research Group with more than 50 dedicated academic staff in the field of casting and light alloy technology and process development. BCAST was established in 2002 based on pioneering scientific work on nucleation that developed into a series of novel casting technologies based on high shear melt processing and melt-conditioning, generically described as liquid metal engineering, to provide sustainable aluminium and magnesium alloys for lightweight vehicle structures. BCAST has established world-class, applied research facilities for the development of advanced casting and down-stream light alloy processing technologies. The first of these new facilities is the £12.0M Advanced Metals Casting Centre (AMCC). This new facility houses production scale extrusion and casting facilities that will be complemented by new joining technologies in the Advanced Metals Processing Centre due to open Q1 2018. For more information, please visit

www.brunel.ac.uk/bcast

About Constellium

Constellium (NYSE and Euronext: CSTM) is a global sector leader that develops innovative, value added aluminium products for a broad scope of markets and applications, including aerospace, automotive and packaging. Constellium generated €4.7 billion of revenue in 2016.

www.constellium.com

About Innoval Technology Ltd

Innoval Technology Ltd provides high quality consultancy, technical support and training to investors, manufacturers and end-users of aluminium, and other light metals, across a broad range of industry sectors. The company, based in Banbury, UK, holds ISO9001: 2008 certification and ISO17025 accreditation. Innoval Technology is part of Danieli Group. For more information visit www.innovaltec.com and follow us on Twitter @InnovalBanbury.

Enquiries:

For further information please contact Sarah Smith, Communications Officer at Gordon Murray Design Limited sarah.smith@gordonmurraydesign.com +44 (0)1483 484700.

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Wed 31 Oct 2018

PRODUCTIONISATION OF ADVANCED MODULAR PASSENGER AUTONOMOUS SEATING (PAMPAS)
The Productionisation of Advanced Modular Passenger Autonomous Seating (PAMPAS) project is a feasibility study funded through the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme to prove the economic potential for the mass production of Gordon Murray Design’s innovative light-weight automotive seats.

Gordon Murray Design recently revealed its new seat innovation – the iStream® lightweight seat, which incorporates glass or recycled carbon-fibre composite bonded to a tubular frame to achieve a dramatic 30% weight saving vs a conventional modern seat. The building of composite car seats has traditionally been expensive due to the unsuitability of the composite manufacturing process for mass production, but the revolutionary iStream manufacturing process overturns this convention, utilising a composite sandwich panel structure and metallic frame combination, which costs no more than a conventional car seat.

To ensure the already technically proven seating system can enter into series production as a commercially viable proposition, major deliverables from the PAMPAS project will be to undertake a study to establish market trends and growth expectations of seating systems within the automotive industry and to investigate and assess manufacturing business model options.

*** Key advantages of iStream lightweight seat:

30% weight saving vs conventional modern seat.

iStream lightweight composite structure (glass or carbon).

Full four-way adjustment and fold-flat mode.

ECE R17 Luggage retention.

Professor Gordon Murray, Chairman of Gordon Murray Design said: “Gordon Murray Design is pleased to announce the Productionisation of Advanced Modular Passenger Autonomous Seating (PAMPAS) project as an important further development of the revolutionary iStream® manufacturing technology and is another example of a new innovation that can be implemented in a cost-effective and robust manner, appropriate for mass production”.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 827005.

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Notes to Editors:

Gordon Murray Design’s iStream lightweight seat is currently on display at the Advanced Engineering show at the NEC between 31st October to 1st November 2018 on Stand M80 in Hall 3/3A.

About Gordon Murray Design Limited

About iStream

iStream is an acronym for iS = Stabilised; T = Tube; R = Reinforced; E = Exo-frame; A = Advanced; M = Manufacturing.

www.istreamtechnology.co.uk

About iStream lightweight seat

***Advantages of the iStream lightweight seat:

iStream lightweight composite structure (glass or carbon)

Full four-way adjustment and fold-flat mode

30% weight saving vs conventional modern seat

Satisfies all applicable European automotive requirements (UN ECE), including luggage retention requirements

Ultra-low tooling and developments costs

Flexibility of design through low cost tooling

Low part count

Simple, high-speed assembly

Suitable for low and high-volume applications

Can achieve low seating position

Excellent package performance

Anti-submarining design

Competitive piece cost

Patent protected

Enquiries:

For further information please contact Sarah Smith, Communications Officer at Gordon Murray Design Limited sarah.smith@gordonmurraydesign.com +44 (0)1483 484700.

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iStream Superlight and T43 unveiled

New Gordon Murray Design technology cuts vehicle body weight in half

iStream Superlight reduces vehicle body weight by up to 50%

Applicable to all vehicle segments, the new chassis promises to be the lightest, strongest and safest platform for decades to come

Another new innovation, the iStream lightweight seat, achieves 30% weight saving over standard seat

Dunsfold, UK: The world-leading British design and engineering company Gordon Murray Design has unveiled the latest version of its ground breaking iStream® automotive manufacturing system which revolutionises the way cars are manufactured. Combining a high-strength aluminium frame with advanced carbon fibre composite panels, iStream Superlight® brings Formula One-derived construction and technologies to mainstream car production.

The new process promises to usher in a new era of vehicle performance with the lightweight structure offering greater safety, lower emissions, improved handling, and enhanced durability. The new innovation not only delivers up to 50% weight reduction compared with a standard stamped-metal body, it also offers new levels of platform flexibility.

Due to the modular nature of the iStream Superlight chassis, the core platform can be adapted to suit every segment of vehicle from sports cars and ultra-efficient electric city cars to SUVs and light commercial vehicles. This adaptable formula ensures cost-effectiveness for manufacturers by avoiding the need for high capital investment and individual chassis designs for each model variant.

Professor Gordon Murray said: “The new iStream Superlight approach to vehicle manufacturing is a paradigm-shifting innovation for the global automotive industry. It is a breakthrough that will deliver the lightest chassis technology for decades to come. The Gordon Murray Design team has created a unique, adaptable and cost-effective way for manufacturers around the world to dramatically improve vehicle performance and efficiency.”

‘iStream Superlight’ employs a simple high-strength aluminium thin-wall tubular frame and honeycomb recycled carbon-composite chassis panels in place of the stamped metal used in most volume car production. Its lightweight design delivers a body-in-white structure delivering up to 50% of the weight of stamped metal, while achieving new levels of rigidity, durability and platform flexibility.

Key advantages of iStream Superlight**:

50% saving over conventional stamp steel BIW

Corrosion resistant properties exceed coated steel

Low weight aluminum frame can deliver a cost neutral BIW when compared to stamped steel

More efficient frame stiffness achieved for aluminum section through the use of carbon iPanels®

iStream lightweight seat

Gordon Murray Design has also revealed its new seat innovation – the iStream lightweight seat, which uses the same innovative materials, techniques and technologies as the iStream chassis.

This newly-developed seat incorporates glass or recycled carbon-fibre composite and a tubular frame to achieve dramatic weight savings. Compared to a typical vehicle seat, the iStream lightweight seat achieves a weight reduction of up to 30%. The iStream lightweight seat can be designed to suit all types of passenger vehicle.

While the design is aimed at weight saving in passenger cars, the new seat has the potential to benefit other passenger transportation sectors. From aerospace to rail, the patented design delivers new levels of lightweight and low tooling costs.

*** Key advantages of iStream lightweight seat:

30% weight saving vs conventional modern seat

iStream lightweight composite structure (glass or carbon)

Full four-way adjustment and fold-flat mode

T.43 iStream Superlight sports car

During Gordon Murray Design’s One Formula event in November 2017, which celebrated Gordon Murray’s 50 years of car design, a new company was announced – Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) – alongside the official opening of the GMA premises at Dunsfold in Surrey.

GMA also announced a new licensing model to complement its existing iStream technology licensing programme. The new licencing approach focuses on licensing automotive platforms alongside existing iStream licences. The T.43 sports car is the first platform and product designed for licence or sale.

The T.43 sports car utilises iStream Superlight and is designed to be an everyday usable coupe with not only exceptional performance capabilities, but also class leading ergonomics, visibility, and cargo capacity. The T.43 introduces new levels of lightweight, torsional stiffness, and durability.

T.43 sports car specifications:

Power to weight ratio: 259 bhp per tonne

Power: 220 bhp

Weight: 850 kg

Engine: 1.5 litre three-cylinder turbo

Transmission: Six-speed manual

Length – Rolling chassis: 3,640 mm

Width: 1,750 mm

Height – Rolling chassis: 1,240 mm

Wheelbase – Rolling chassis: 2,500 mm

The new iStream Superlight structure is the output of a collaborative research project part-funded by the Innovate UK framework. Led by Gordon Murray Design, the consortium includes Bentley Motor Company, Brunel University London, Constellium, and Innoval Technology. The iStream seat also benefitted from collaborative research with Gordon Murray and Formaplex Limited pooling resources for the duration of a 12-month study.

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Notes to editors

Gordon Murray Design will exhibit its iStream Superlight body and iStream lightweight seat at the LCV 2018 show on 12-13 September 2018 on stand C3-100.

About Gordon Murray Design

Gordon Murray Design is a visionary design and engineering company with its headquarters in Shalford in Surrey, plus R&D and manufacturing facilities in Dunsfold. It was established in 2007 with a focus on developing an innovative and disruptive manufacturing technology trademarked iStream, and has since built a global reputation as one of the finest automotive design teams in the world.

About Gordon Murray Automotive

Gordon Murray Automotive was launched in November 2017. Cars built by the new business will be based on a new version of Gordon Murray Design’s revolutionary iStream production system. The company will also be able to manufacture vehicles on a low-volume basis for external customers.

Gordon Murray Automotive forms part of a new corporate organisation for the engineering group, and is positioned as a sister company to Gordon Murray Design.

About iStream

Rather than the traditional method of combining hundreds of panels of stamped metal, iStream uses tubular metal with 10 – 15 structural composite panels. iStream Superlight is the ultimate automotive lightweighting technology as it maximises the iStream approach by using cored honeycomb carbon fibre composite and an aluminium frame to save almost 50% in weight against a standard stamped metal chassis.

iStream is an acronym for iS = Stabilised; T = Tube; R = Reinforced; E = Exo-frame; A = Advanced; M = Manufacturing.

About iStream Superlight

** Advantages of iStream Superlight

50% saving over conventional stamped steel BIW

High degree of flexibility in optimising aluminium section shapes to ensure structural efficiency

Corrosion resistant properties exceed coated steel

Cold metal transfer welding reduces distortion and manufacturing time

Low weight aluminium frame can deliver a cost neutral BIW when compared to stamped steel

Delivers new levels of efficient body quality

Aluminium saving vs conventional aluminium BIW

More efficient frame stiffness achieved for aluminium section through use of carbon iPanels

Low cost, high recycled content aluminium alloys

Re-cycled carbon fibre

Aluminium iFrame® protected from external damage

All hard points (i.e. suspension, steering etc.) are carried by the aluminium iFrame

Carbon sandwich panel cycle time of 100 seconds

About iStream lightweight seat

*** Advantages of the iStream lightweight seat

iStream lightweight composite structure (glass or carbon)

Full four-way adjustment and fold-flat mode

30% weight saving vs conventional modern seat

Satisfies all applicable European automotive requirements (UN ECE), including luggage retention requirements

Ultra-low tooling and developments costs

Low part count

Simple, high-speed assembly

Suitable for low and high-volume applications

Can achieve low seating position

Excellent package performance

Anti-submarining design

Competitive piece cost

Patent protected

PR contacts

For further information, images or comment, contact PFPR Communications:

Ed Callow, Account Director

Tel: +44 (0)1622 766520

Mob: +44 (0)7732 088337

ed.callow@pfpr.com

Jon Visscher, Associate Director

Tel: +44 (0)1622 776680

Mob: +44 (0)7816 906794

jon.visscher@pfpr.com

Sarah Smith, Communications Officer at Gordon Murray Design

Tel: +44 (0)1483 484700

enquiries@gordonmurraydesign.com

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Wed 11 Apr 2018

Shell to further power progress on the Global Vehicle Trust OX: the inventive flatpack truck
Shell is collaborating with Gordon Murray Design to make this mission happen

Shell has announced that it will commission a pre-production prototype of the world’s first flat-pack truck and it will take this truck to India, which is home to almost 18% of the world’s population1. The ‘OX to India’ mission will showcase the capabilities of the vehicle for bringing low-cost all-terrain mobility to rural communities in developing countries.

The ‘OX to India’ mission is a partnership between Shell and Gordon Murray Design (GMD), working in close alignment with the Global Vehicle Trust (GVT). This represents a crucial development stage of the vehicle, which was officially launched in 2016.

Shell will fund a bespoke prototype OX to take to India and will set up an outreach programme once the vehicle is in India. The vehicle will be re-engineered and built by GMD, and flat-packed for shipment to India in the later part of 2018.

The OX, based on GMD’s flexible iStream® technology, will run exclusively on Shell fluids including Shell Rimula, a hard-working and high-performing diesel engine oil designed to help heavy duty and light duty engines to run efficiently in demanding conditions.

“Shell is eager to play a role alongside others in developing and promoting mobility solutions in developing regions. The OX to India demonstration will see the concept validated and discussed on the ground in a real world setting. We know limited mobility in hard-to-reach communities in developing economies can restrict access to basic services, and can limit the effectiveness of efforts to improve the quality of life. The OX has the potential to broaden access to transport possibilities and all the resulting benefits that come with this,” said Huibert Vigeveno, Executive Vice President, Shell Global Commercial.

The OX is designed to carry a payload of 1,900kg (approximately twice the capacity of most current pickups), which could include everyday necessities, medical supplies, building and agriculture materials. It can seat up to 13 people. The vehicle was envisioned by entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Torquil Norman and designed by renowned automotive engineer Professor Gordon Murray.

Other innovative features of the OX include:

Lightweight, rugged and durable design to maximise payload for goods and people

Low cost, simple maintenance through accessible components and fewer parts

Designed for self-assembly, supplied fully assembled or flat-packed for easy shipping and local assembly

Sir Torquil Norman, founder of GVT said: “I’m so pleased to welcome Shell aboard the OX project and for sharing GVT's vision that this remarkable and versatile vehicle will provide a transformation in affordable mobility for so many people where the need is most acute. With Shell taking the OX to India we can demonstrate its capability in a key market, which will help attract long-term production partners.”

Professor Gordan Murray, Executive Chairman, GMD said: “After our highly successful co-engineering Shell Concept Car programme with Shell, it is exciting to be once again working with Shell on the next phase of this extremely important and ground-breaking project.The OX is one of our most important engineering designs and it is certainly the vehicle of which I am most proud of, as its disruptive design has the potential to change the current mobility model and with Shell’s vision this vehicle could go on to improve so many people’s lives.”

Recognising the need for sustainable, cleaner and more energy efficient transportation solutions, Shell is collaborating and co-engineering a number of projects. In 2016, Shell partnered with Gordon Murray to coengineer the Shell Concept Car – an ultra-efficient city vehicle that, compared to a typical city car, uses 34% less primary energy over its entire lifetime. Shell is also partnering with AirFlow Truck Company to develop a new hyper-fuel mileage Class 8 truck known as the Starship. Its aerodynamic design will seek to demonstrate improvements in fuel economy for while lowering CO2 emissions.

-End-

ENQUIRIES:
Shell Lubricants Global:
Mary B. Walsh, +32478402938, mary.walsh@shell.com
Yashidha Kumari, +65 6390 7345, y.sevakumar@shell.com

Gordon Murray Design Limited:
Sarah Smith, +44 (0) 1483 484700, sarah.smith@gordonmurraydesign.com

Global Vehicle Trust:
Ed Callow, PFPR Communications, +44 (0)1622 766520, ed.callow@pfpr.com

Notes to Editors:

1Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2017 Revision

Link to images of OX: https://www.flickr.com/photos/royaldutchshell/albums/72157671223809135

The OX’s revolutionary nature extends beyond the vehicle design because, uniquely, it is capable of being flat-packed within itself, enabling it to be transported more efficiently around the world. It takes three people less than six hours to create the flat pack in the UK prior to shipping, and six of these flat packs can be shipped within a 40ft high-cube container. Assembly labour is transferred to the importing country, where local professional companies will be employed to assemble and maintain the finished vehicles. Three skilled people can put an OX together in approximately 12 hours.

The overall vehicle length is far shorter than a large SUV, and yet it can carry a payload of 1900kg (approximately twice the capacity of most current pick-ups) with a load volume of 9.0 m3. Based on EU size guidelines, it can seat up to 13 people or carry eight 44-gallon drums or three Euro-pallets.Figures are based upon production targets.

For more information visit: http://oxgvt.com/

Royal Dutch Shell plc
Royal Dutch Shell plcis incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges.Shell companies have operations in more than 70 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit www.shell.com.

About Gordon Murray Design Limited
Gordon Murray Design Limitedis a British company operating from Shalford, Surrey. The Company is recognised as a world leader in automotive design and reverses the current industry trend for sub-contracting by having a complete in-house capability for design, engineering, prototyping and development. The Company is compact and focused and undertakes automotive and other engineering programmes in an efficient and innovative way. For more information please visit www.gordonmurraydesign.com.

The iStream® technology is a complete rethink and redesign of the traditional automotive manufacturing process and could potentially be the biggest revolution in high volume manufacture since the Model T. Development. The process began over 15 years ago and it has already won the prestigious ‘Idea of the Year’ award from Autocar who were given privileged access in order to make their assessment. The simplified assembly process means that the manufacturing plant can be designed to be 20% of the size of a conventional factory. This could reduce capital investment in the assembly plant by approximately 80%. Yet the flexibility of this assembly process means that the same factory could be used to manufacture different variants. The iStream® design process is a complete re-think on high volume materials, as well as the manufacturing process and will lead to a significant reduction in full lifecycle CO2. For more information please visit www.istreamtechnology.co.uk

About the Global Vehicle Trust
In 2010, Sir Torquil Norman founded the Global Vehicle Trust (GVT) to pursue his ambition to help people in the developing world by providing cost-effective mobility for all. The GVT subsequently briefed renowned automotive designer Professor Gordon Murray on a unique humanitarian programme to create a revolutionary lightweight truck. As part of an aid programme, the Global Vehicle Trust OX could provide an essential element of infrastructure to enable the local population to raise the community’s standard of living, and to assert its independence by gaining control of its transportation needs and costs.

Sir Torquil Norman is a former pilot, banker, company executive and toy manufacturing entrepreneur. He is a passionate philanthropist, and is chiefly responsible for the rescue and renovation of The Roundhouse in Camden, north London.

Cautionary note
The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this press release “Shell”, “Shell group” and “Royal Dutch Shell” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Royal Dutch Shell plc and subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this press release refer to entities over which Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as “joint ventures” and “joint operations”, respectively.Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as “associates”. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This press release contains forward-looking ..

Wed 18 Jul 2018

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS IN THE 14TH INTEGRATED DELIVERY PROGRAMME: PROJECT ‘PARADIGM_SHIFT’: ACCELERATING THE TRANSITION TO ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES

Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and Innovate UK via the Faraday Battery Challenge (part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund) invest a total of £20 million to successful competition winners of the 14th Integrated Delivery Programme. The winning projects will develop low-cost, highly integrated systems to enable zero emission capable journeys for cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles.

Paradigm_Shift is a 16 month project led by Gordon Murray Design (GMD) – an iconic automotive design and engineering company, Delta Motorsport – electrification, hybridisation, and vehicle dynamics specialists, and aiPod – the company that designs city-integrated autonomous mobility systems. The vehicle platform will deliver dramatically lower mass (450 kg), high levels of safety, lower energy, and drive-by-wire capabilities in a small footprint, making zero-emission transport options available more rapidly to the entire population.

Responding to the urgent need for a low-cost, ultra-lightweight vehicle platform, using GMD's iStream superlight® technology suitable for mass-production, the consortium will incorporate a breakthrough level of integrated design and safety performance and ensure the platform is ready for the new era of autonomous driving.

The consortium will design and engineer a ground up small footprint demonstrator vehicle to demonstrate the integrated technology approach that will be available at the end of 2019. The project aim is to deliver a sub 450 kg vehicle to meet M1 levels of safety performance whilst reducing cost and investment to enable development of flexible and affordable electric vehicles. The platform will address traditional driven vehicle requirements alongside the rapidly growing requirement for MAAS autonomous transportation and last mile logistics. The combination of affordable EV in a small footprint offers a solution to the growing emissions, congestion and parking crisis currently experienced in urban environments globally.

Editors Notes

Gordon Murray Design Limited is a British company operating from Shalford, Surrey. The Company is recognised as a world leader in automotive design and reverses the current industry trend for sub-contracting by having a complete in-house capability for design, prototyping and development. The Company is compact and focused and undertakes automotive and other engineering programmes in an efficient and innovative way. For more information please visit www.gordonmurraydesign.com.
Gordon Murray Design’s patented iStream® technology process is a complete rethink and redesign of the traditional automotive manufacturing process and could potentially be the biggest revolution in high volume manufacture since the Model T. Development. The process began over 15 years ago and it has already won the prestigious ‘Idea of the Year’ award from Autocar who were given privileged access in order to make their assessment. The simplified assembly process means that the manufacturing plant can be designed to be 20% of the size of a conventional factory. This could reduce capital investment in the assembly plant by approximately 80%. Yet the flexibility of this assembly process means that the same factory could be used to manufacture different variants. The iStream® design process is a complete re-think on high volume materials, as well as the manufacturing process and will lead to a significant reduction in full lifecycle CO2. For more information please visit www.istreamtechnology.co.uk.

Silverstone-based Delta Motorsport Limited is engineering for the future (www.delta-motorsport.com). Its background is deeply rooted in high-performance engineering, and it has over 10 years of experience developing technologies through innovation and continuous improvement that enable electrification; for passenger cars and beyond. Delta now has three main business streams.
Powertrain integration and development of a novel microturbine range extender, “MiTRE”, that delivers freedom from range anxiety in a small and light-weight package whilst also achieving extremely low emissions (particularly NOx and particulate).
Delta’s battery systems experience spans 48V to 800V, and it has developed a highly flexible, modular approach to battery system manufacture. These systems can be liquid cooled (using Delta’s patented low cost and light-weight approach), air cooled or uncooled, depending on the application.
Delta launched its in-house EV – the Delta E-4 Coupe – in 2011, and since this time it has been developing strategies to control any actuators fitted to the vehicle that deliver the longitudinal and lateral dynamics requirements, such as traction motors, brakes and steering. In PARADIGM_SHIFT, this control will be completely “by wire”, with no input from the occupant.

aiPod designs and builds systems that enable smart cities to manage the impact of rapidly approaching waves of innovation in sensors and computational technologies and their interaction with rapidly evolving mobility-focused business models. aiPod's vision is to build urban mobility traffic control systems for autonomous vehicles that will help cities transition from individually-owned automobiles to Integrated Mobility-as-a-Service enabled by AVs. To learn more about aiPod, please visit www.aipod.com.

For more information please contact:
Sarah Smith, Communications Officer at Gordon Murray Design on +44 (0)1483 484700 or via email at sarah.smith@gordonmurraydesign.com.

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