Still revving to 12,100 rpm, the Cosworth V12 of the T.50s Niki Lauda comes with revised cylinder heads and camshafts, plus a higher compression ratio of 15:1. GMA says weight-saving measures extend to the intake, exhaust and control systems, as well as the engine itself. All the valves are made from titanium, and there is no variable valve timing because this car is always in full attack mode.
A simpler induction system features 12 throttle bodies on top of the engine, fed directly by that racing-style air box. The exhaust system does without catalytic converters, has thinner Inconel walls, and, with only track noise limits to meet, benefits from smaller silencers.
The result is a specific output of 178 horsepower per liter for a total of 701 horsepower at 11,500 rpm, and 357 pound-feet of torque at 9,000 rpm. With the even bigger roof-mounted RAM induction airbox, maximum output goes up to 725 horsepower. GMA goes on to say that “right through the rev-range, it promises to be one of the greatest and most characterful sounding cars ever made.”
Finally, GMA’s bespoke Xtrac IGS (Instantaneous Gearshift) electronically actuated, six-speed, paddle-shift gearbox is 11 pounds lighter than the road car’s manual transmission.
