Gordon Murray S1 revealed as the ultimate McLaren F1 homage

The new Gordon Murray S1 is part of a superb vintage of exciting new metal unveiled at this year's Monterey Car Week. 

We imagine that if there was an alternate universe where McLaren continued to build and refine the F1 over the years, much like Porsche does with the 911, it would look surprisingly similar to the Gordon Murray S1.

Like the original F1, the S1 is the handiwork of designer Gordon Murray. While the McLaren F1 began life as a road car, which was then upgraded to go racing and tackle Le Mans, the S1 evolved in reverse order, as it's derived from the track-focussed S1 LM.

Although the S1 LM and S1 look alike and share the same underlying chassis, the two vehicles have completely unique body panels. One key change is the S1's larger, road-legal headlights. 

The LM's huge rear wing, deep side sills and large front splitter have been replaced by an active aero system, and the ride height has been raised by 10mm so the car has a better chance of dealing with most roads.

Another important difference is the S1's new dihedral doors, which make it easier to enter and exit the vehicle. Inside the cabin there is a staggered three-seat layout – say it with me – like the F1's, with the driver's seat in the middle and mounted ahead of the two passenger seats.

For this road-going iteration, the S1 has more sound deadening, updated infotainment screens, and a specially-designed lightweight audio system. The seats and all the touch points are finished in high quality leather and fabric.

The S1 is powered by a naturally-aspirated 4.2-litre Cosworth V12 making up to 507kW at a frankly ridiculous 12,100rpm, and around 500Nm at 7000rpm. It's hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission with a standard touring sixth gear.

For reference, the standard McLaren F1 was powered by a 6.1-litre BMW V12 with 461kW and 650Nm to its name. 

The S1's engine bay is behind the passenger cell, and is designed to show off the Cosworth engine at its best. As such, it features a polished Inconel exhaust setup and a 24-carat gold-plated heat shield.

It rides on 19-inch wheels with 265/35 Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres up front, and 21-inch wheels with 315/30 rubber at the rear. Stopping ability comes courtesy of a Brembo braking package with cross-drilled discs.

Gordon Murray says the S1 is "exclusive, analogue, and deeply driver focused", while also being a vehicle "you could drive along the coast from Los Angeles to Monterey in real comfort, still enjoying every gearshift, every corner, and every note of the V12".

In another nod to the F1, just 64 S1s will be made, with each one trimmed and specified to order. The company isn't willing to disclose how much a "base-spec" S1 costs, but we expect it to be a seven-figure sum. 

Production of the related S1 LM was limited to just five units, and one of those was sold at auction for US$20.63 million (A$29m).