Still accelerating to 12,100 rpm, the Cosworth V12 of the T.50s Niki Lauda comes with revised cylinder heads and camshafts, in addition to a higher compression ratio of 15: 1. The GMA says the weight reduction measures are extend to the intake, exhaust and control systems, as well as the engine itself. All valves are made of titanium and there is no variable valve synchronization because this car is always in full attack mode.
A simpler induction system features 12 throttle bodies at the top of the engine, powered directly by that racing-style air box. The exhaust system dispenses with catalytic converters, has thinner Inconel walls and, with only noise limits from the track to meet, benefits from smaller mufflers.
The result is a specific production 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 larger ceiling-mounted RAM induction air box, the maximum power reaches 725 horsepower. GMA goes on to say that “across the rev range, it promises to be one of the largest and most characteristic cars ever made.”
Finally, the GMA’s Xtrac IGS (Instantaneous Gearshift), electronically operated, the six-speed paddle-shift gearbox is 11 pounds lighter than the road car’s manual transmission.