The first official pictures have been released of the Murray T25, the revolutionary city car created by renowned Formula 1 designer Gordon Murray.

The tiny three-seater is being shown in public for the first time in England later today. It foreshadows a new era of tiny, great-to-drive economy cars as well as a highly original manufacturing process called iStream that slashes the investment, factory space and energy required for manufacturing.

The T25, which weighs around 1,260lbs, has a much smaller road footprint than today's smallest production cars. It is 95in. long, 51in. wide and 55in. high – meaning it can be forward parked in spaces, and that three T25s would fit in the space traditionally occupied by one parallel-parked car. It has a turning circle of less than 20ft.

The car has independent suspension front and rear and is designed to be powered by a rear-mounted 51hp 660cc, three-cylinder engine with 42lb-ft of torque, linked to a 5-speed clutchless transmission.

That translates to a restricted top speed of 90mph, 0-62mph time of 16.2sec. Fuel mileage is 74mpg.

It also has anti-lock brakes, stability control, traction control and an airbag, plus front and rear crush structures. Murray says the Formula 1-inspired tubular steel and composite floor chassis frame design creates a safety cell that is “immensely strong," according to Murray.

South African native Murray, who is best known for his championship-winning F1 cars for the Brabham and McLaren teams but also was the prime creative force behind the McLaren F1 supercar, is aiming to have the T25 ready for production in two years' time. Eventually they could appear across the globe, close to the biggest population centers.

Murray said the car's unusual design and progressive values have powerful appeal both to leading automotive and non-automotive brands. The design is also noteworthy for its revolutionary single door, which swings up to allow easy access even when the car is tightly parked. Like the McLaren F1, the driver sits centrally, with a passenger on either side and slightly to the rear.

Despite the T25's compactness, there is still space for several large suitcases. The rear seats also fold.

Source: Autocar