Henry Catchpole on McLaren F1 v Gordon Murray T.50 | Ti podcast 218

Dan Prosser and Andrew Frankel are joined in the studio by car journalist and presenter Henry Catchpole. Henry pulled off the twin test of the decade this year when he became the first car reviewer to compare the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 to its spiritual predecessor, the mighty McLaren F1.
In this episode, Henry explains how the test came about, what the key differences and similarities between the two cars are, and which one he would choose to own. Henry also talks about the new Bugatti Tourbillon having seen the 1800bhp hypercar in a studio.
#henrycatchpole #mclarenf1 #hypercar
This is episode 218 of The Intercooler podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts.
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[@justinknauer8137]

The volume difference between guest and host is brutal

[@dwftube]

I know - so annoying. So easy to get right too.

[@prash99]

The volume for Henry is so bad this video should have never been uploaded as-is

[@zakelwe]

Ok for me on my Focal based PC setup ... you need better speakers...

[@keith6360]

Sounds fine on my iphone13. And if you’re watching on youtube and still have trouble with audio, turn on the captions.

[@justinknauer8137]

@@keith6360I tried to listen on the Apple podcast app and it was even worse. Good point on the CC but I want to listen and not read.

[@Ginbaubabe]

Shout out to the same owner that lent the McLaren F1 and P1 to Henry for THAT iconic video 10 years ago.

[@michaelschneider-]

Ditto that ..... !!

[@howarddavies136]

@Ginbaubabe wasn't it the same F1 as well? I remember F1 JOY being used in the analog supercar test that evo did and catchpole was involved in that.

[@joetacchino4470]

Guys, been meaning to comment for a while, but your volume levels are really bad. Trying to listen to Andrew and Dan every week, Dan is about 5 db higher than Andrew and it's really hard to listen to. This one....I literally can't listen to it in the car. Every time Henry speaks, I literally need to turn the volume up. I can't hear him at all. As I said, this is EVERY podcast between Dan and Andrew, but this one with Henry is really, really bad. Looking forward to getting through the podcast but guys, please do a little audio engineering moving forward. Thanks....a TI subscriber (EDIT: For some reason, this video portion is better than the audio podcast. If you think this video it bad, the audio podcast is even worse).

[@srinitaaigaura]

Mic balance was terrible. Henry was on mute while the hosts were as loud as a commercial ad.

[@zakelwe]

Three good journalists talking about two great cars and one great designer / engineer. I met Gordon next to an icecream van at Donnington Park and got a photo, said he wanted to do a motorbike. Maybe still in the pipeline. There were 4 F1s there as they had just started deliveries. Everyone looked at them and nobody looked at him. Crazy.

[@ericdejesus6942]

Can you remix the audio and rerelease it? While driving, it’s frustrating to adjust the volume all the time

[@hexgraphica]

Everybody says Spetsiale after James May said it wrong on air, probably by hearing it from an Emilian speaker. That C sound is the same as in "ciao" though, and May himself says it properly now

[@mad4tar77]

This was a joy to listen to. Thank you gents.

[@sugarsaint]

I honestly believe we subconsciously chose Super cars over hyper cars because of their relatability/ tangibility. I don't think you can really appreciate Hyper car ownership unless you're on the other side of the financial spectrum. Then you have the investment side of things, few hyper cars lose significant value and many (any Pagani for instance) inflate like ballons

[@JJ-zg1hh]

How has this podcast only got 32k subscribers? It's one of the best out there!

[@TheIntercooler]

Hopefully a matter of time!

[@andrewhurstcars]

Limited audience for automotive podcasts on KZbin. Smoking Tire only has 64k, and Behind the Glass 59k, and they’ve been going for many years. That’s about the ceiling.

[@jeremybaker8173]

Hi guys please see all the audio comments in the main comments. Would be really grateful if you could address as been an issue for a while…. Many thanks.

[@quicknickdriver8510]

Love the way Henry speaks. So eloquent and really knows his cars dynamically.

[@flat6croc]

Be interesting to know truly how reliable the V16 in the Bugatti is. We'll never know, as obviously they'll barely be driven. Which for me is what undermines the whole mechanical concept. Doubt they'll race it. The engine would surely be a reliability nightmare in a race context. It's V16 not because it makes any sense but because it's excessive and will impressive a certain demographic.

[@royd72]

Many years ago as a young sales rep, my boss said to me, 2 ears, 1 mouth, use them accordingly #andrew

[@DouglasJWalker]

599xx have fans in the rear! No one mentions it.

[@howarddavies136]

The hypercar class is an interesting one. It would be awesome to see Bugatti, Pagani and Koenigsegg join in with some exotica like a modified Jesko, and a Zonda r. Oh and a GMA T50s or two in there as well!

[@mumbles2000]

apart from the Bugatti, the F1 and the T50, the only other car mentioned was the Alpine which in my view is the real world sweet spot, but thank you for an intelligent informed discussion

[@kevincoombs7348]

Always a good podcast, Henry definitely good value. First saw the F1 when they cleared up at La Scarthe. Can't wait to see theT50 ( at Castle Combe?).

[@leemichaelgeller4420]

I’m enjoying seeing T.50 coverage… but, for me, it’ll be T.33 I REALLY want to see.❤

[@mbizozo6271]

Carmakers are just looking at the numbers. They don't care about making a car that simply works, has space and all that.

[@Shadowboost]

T.50 has more space than most compact cars

[@blarkdexture8899]

Glas roof is extra on T.50. Gordon didn't want to force 2 extra kilos on buyers

[@chokingfai]

4 kilos

[@ebbs0000]

I love these podcasts, but the accents just remind me of how much of a poor person I am.

[@michaelschneider-]

Now Yer talking ... A great discussion. .. Automotive Journalist Henry Catchpole is one of the great's... Hyper cars? ..

[@r.hagenau3541]

Re borrowing enormously expensive cars: In case of a crash it would develop into an interesting legal case. Because if it is obvious that the guy who crashed can't pay even a percent of the "value", it is clearly negligence on part of the owner. Anyways ... Was still a great comparison test! Even though I've seen Henry more enthusiastic about cars ...

[@TheIntercooler]

They’re always properly insured 👍🏻

[@zakelwe]

@@TheIntercooler Presumably against mechanical damage from a mistake also since Mark Hales famously lunched the 917 gearbox

[@philreilly727]

Would like to have heard Henry's views

[@maxtorque2277]

Worth noting that the fundamental reason the T50 has a 48v "hybrid" system is because the engine would be "impossible" to start with a conventional starter motor, which is also why the starting sequence takes so long...

[@srinitaaigaura]

Actually one of the engineers who worked at GMA posted about it in the original video. The crankshaft has to be so light and perfectly balanced to rev till 12k that it would snap under the uneven firing loads at low rpm, so it can't idle too slow. Hence it needs to be spun up to speed before the engine comes on. It's also for emissions, since most of the emissions happen at the moment of starting the engine till the cats warm up. I wouldn't worry too much about it because you can easily take off on the clutch alone so you won't stall it so easily at a light. Maybe software could make anti stall.

[@fraserwright9482]

Yes I think the Barry's thinking you can just take off things and it makes things better not understanding how things work or why we are here.

[@lorddoosworth8175]

@@srinitaaigaura interesting stuff, thanks! 👍

[@_que]

Here is to hoping GMA makes something for the masses to enjoy with a similar formula. T.43 may get traction is the near future

[@gustavoflorio5383]

Gordon said no to that. More than one time.

[@TP-3000]

Great journalism thanks.

[@michaelschneider-]

Ditto That ... Fine discussion.

[@Kelveron]

Great podcast. HC is always good to listen to. The T.50 is clearly a brilliantly engineered car. My only issue with it? It just looks so dull!

[@MW-uy3np]

You can argue the f1 looks bland also/ it isn’t about the looks. If it were you would buy a Lambo etc. and for HC the 911 R isn’t 9k redline but my 991.2 touring is.

[@matthewcurtis3759]

The F1 was considered bland by many at its debut, and is now considered beautiful. I think the same may happen to T.50.

[@r129r16pfl]

​@@matthewcurtis3759100% will happen

[@richardprice6488]

Substance excellent. The room is a bit sterile. How about a pot plant maybe pictures on the wall to add a bit of emotional and visual warmth?

[@marcwillard]

Thank you.

[@andrewhurstcars]

I think when you have a guest on, I would keep it to just questions to the guest shared between the hosts, rather than here when each time Dan sounds he’s about to ask Henry a question, Andrew frequently interjects with a long comment. E.g. there’s not much point having Henry sitting there telling him about different uses of Cosworth engines in supercars.

[@TheBucketOfTruth]

Dan seemed quite annoyed with Andrew by the end and attempted to keep things moving by cutting short questions from Andrew.

[@stevespacek8893]

Henry’s got that old English aristocratic trait where he mumbles some of the words somewhere within his sentences. Could be the beginning, the middle, the end or a combination. Kinda comes across like a nerves thing, where in ur mind you are constantly assessing wether you are digressing, and are riding the volume and legibility in real time- as you go- to compensate. Have always known Henry to be softly spoken. But other than the mumblings, I could hear and understand him quite well- even on these iPhone speakers. Really enjoyed this one- spesh in light of the main subject matter. Both the F1 n T50 are epic cars- probably some of the most epic of all time to my mind. And yes, I’d take the new one over the old one. Would have the T50 over every other hyper car out there- including the Aston Martin Valkyrie. To me, Gordon Murray has proven he is on another level to almost all other car engineers and designers. With his philosophy, imagine GMA taking the reins of Lotus.. A modern day Lotus designed and engineered by GMA….. Oooowsh 💥💥💥

[@armyman3666]

It would be cool to show some images of what you are taking about

[@senorbart]

I’m finding Tourbion a difficult name to love in reference to a car. Maybe time will change that?

[@SirJamesTND]

Tourbillion*

[@senorbart]

@@SirJamesTND 🫣 damn it. Sorry. 😆

[@lorddoosworth8175]

pun intended or not? 😆

[@senorbart]

@@lorddoosworth8175 my spelling ruined it. 😆

[@gabrielbarcellos1036]

Gordon Murray, Bugatti e Aston Martin... a Pagani precisa de um V12 Cosworth 🤌

[@maxmustermann9669]

This Podcast had better sound when they did it with laptops and headsets from home. Get a proper sound guy please!!!!

[@matthewcurtis3759]

Re: why no one does central seating configurations - a big barrier is homologation. Take a look at Glickenhaus’ journey with the 004. Their original design was like GMA’s layout, but federal regs wouldn’t let them homologate the side seats because they were too far forward. So they had to stretch the car to move the seats backwards in order to make each side seat a “rear” seat. It cost them a lot of money. Also, engineering side impact protection for three seats is very difficult. Glickenhaus did it without airbags.

[@intenzityd3181]

I am surprised it has taken this long for a brand like Bugatti to make a car like this actually. I predicted a kind of "quartz crisis" years ago when the EV fad started and it was obvious where things were going. I have felt bewildered as to why aspirational brands have allowed themselves to be swept with the current of touchscreens, haptic feedback, complex hybrid systems, when all of it is anti-aspirational, mechanically soulless and just tacky. Aston Martin are the worst offenders when it came to ruining a beautiful analogue interior with tacky modernity, apparently not understanding that their customer-base are actually not 14 year old tiktokers. Why did it take this long for Bugatti to go full Patek and make something so mechanically beautiful that it simply cannot be mimicked by lesser brands and thus create a real sense of exclusivity.

[@sugarsaint]

You predicted NOTHING everyone knows the moment Harry metcalfe gave the world a eureka moment when HE struggled to pin down any intrinsic value of EV cars long LONG before the current EVs cataclysmic inability to retain value and it was HARRY who likened the then unknown issue to that of bespoke mechanical watches and their digital counter parts 😡 Meanwhile Bugatti have never included digital screens or haptic feedback buttons on any of their products

[@srinitaaigaura]

The Chiron also, was a pure analog machine. The speedo was beautifully machined. The switchgear was exquisite. So was the Veyron, although it was the Chiron that perfected the original concept. Of all the makers out there, actually it was only Bugatti that stayed analog all this time.

[@deanchur]

@@srinitaaigaura It was always a design directive within Bugatti that the interior should never be made to a certain time period; someone should be able to look inside the interior 50 years from now and not feel as though it's out of date or of a certain time period, which is why Bugatti's interiors are nearly 100% analogue (also they're a proper luxury brand and technology is not luxury, something I wish the Germans would have figured out).

[@fullsendsimracing]

Great podcast but I've never seen this many ads pop up on a youtube video. This many ads on a podcast is just absurd, it makes you want to stop watching. Not sure if it's under your control but you might wanna tone that down a bit

[@michaelj3282]

Henry looks like a younger Hammond!

[@michaelschneider-]

Agreed..... Until he stands up ..................

[@SupercarAdventurer]

Curious how T50 is driven if you don’t know how to heel and toe? I know a few owners of supercars/hypercars, some are drivers and others are posers. I’m. A decent driver and grew up driving a manual but I can’t heel and toe. I think sometimes road car testers forget about the regular type drivers of the world.

[@r129r16pfl]

T50 has auto rev match, you can turn it on, if you are not able to heel & toe.

[@Illopp00ify]

If you can afford a T50 you can buy a shitbox to learn how to heel and toe practice on:)

[@GlassOnion23]

Heel and toe is not that hard. I promise you. It's made out to be this super advanced driving technique when in reality, it's just the very start of the journey to learn advanced driving. It's manual driving 101 honestly. When I got a manual MKV VW Golf as my first ever car, I promised I'd learn standard rev matched and then, heel and toe downshifts and I got it in short order even with the pedals not perfectly spaced for heel and toe and with the throttle response being glacially slow. You've driven a lot of high performance cars. Just the order of magnitude better throttle response of these cars would make heel and toe so much easier I imagine. And these supercars would surely all be designed to have their pedal placements to be super amenable to that technique. If I as an average driver can learn the technique, I see literally no reason why you with far more experience and skill would be unable to learn it. And it's all worth it. To me, 90% of the reason a manual is fun, practically the entire reason why you'd want to drive stick, is because of heel and toe.

[@SupercarAdventurer]

@@Illopp00ify true.

[@SupercarAdventurer]

@@GlassOnion23 Thanks for the encouragement. I guess I have been spoilt a bit with the new generation of double clutch supercars. I will see if I can borrow a manual.

[@sergio_81]

You need to use that tv to display photos, videos...

[@Dalamain]

Why is there no pride taken to build a nice studio?

[@MrCarrera28]

I think it might be a bit premature to be writing off electric hypercars. I remember when the McLaren F1, arguably the first hypercar, was released and it really struggled to sell and it took years for McLaren to sell them all and they took a huge loss on the car. However, 30 plus years later it is for many people the best hypercar. Now that top speed and acceleration are almost irrelevant in terms of electric cars it is time for them to build character and driving enjoyment and simply writing them off because of slow initial sales is to forget history.

[@user-io4sr7vg1v]

but they are still too heavy and charging is a pain

[@MrCarrera28]

@@user-io4sr7vg1v Bugatti Tourbillion weighs 2 tonnes and has a wheelbase of 2,740mm which means it weighs as much as the short wheel base S Class Mercedes and has the a wheelbase that is only 11 cms shorter than a 300 Series Landcruiser. So it is hardly a light or small, so clearly weight is not an issue in Hypercars.

[@michaelschneider-]

@@MrCarrera28 An EV's center of gravity (CG) is a god-send. .. EV's ? are not there yet for me. .. My '98 Carrera S (993) is going on 25 yo. .. Delivery mileage was 11mi,, October 1997. .. I think I'll keep her... The 2025 Porsche 911 GTS hybrid is interesting.......

[@Niche_Biker]

Fantastic content, but the sound balance was awful. Tried to listen on the way to work and gave up. Henry sounds he's wispering and hosts are booming. Can't get a comfortable balance.

[@Thedmcke3]

Commenters are sooks. Audio not that bad.

[@iconicon5642]

Terrible audio management

[@michaelschneider-]

Easy, easy... I'm an audio production guy. .. Not thee audio guy .... Hey Dan and Andrew, the audio aspect requires attention; mic level varance is one suggestion. .. Cheers, Great guest & discussion. . Vail, Colorado Do you have a UREI or ORBAN audio leveler? .. Old Sckool...

[@flacjacket]

I'll tell you what I want out of the hybrid revolution is a 4 rotor wankel powered sports car. All the mechanical foibles of wankels have been ironed out by the RX7 aftermarket, the only thing holding them back are emissions and fuel economy shortcomings which hybridization can rectify.

[@VS-qd5qw]

Stop mumbling and eating your words , Catchpole. And please put some jeans on next time. Almost impossible to follow, but still great podcast as usual. Agree with other user, the podcast sound is worse. I had to be on full blast and full concentration to hear Catchpole, and was then deafened when Frankel got involved.

[@stuartsmith5308]

Imagine an F1 road tested today with modern tyres, launch control and flappy paddles, surely faster than all the other Hyper cars produced today.

[@srinitaaigaura]

Umm, that is what the T50 is for...

[@ebbs0000]

​@@srinitaaigauraThat doesn't have flappy paddles.

[@fraserwright9482]

You can buy a Judd engine and do this. It's the same argument people have with street driving a Billet block engine. But your measuring engine life in hours, not miles if you cold start it and pull onto an on ramp. Old F1 cars are fast, but you need a team to run it.

[@stuartsmith5308]

@@srinitaaigaura hi, would a T50 beat an F1 fitted with modern tyres, launch control and flappy paddles - probably not. Just making my point i think the T50 is a great car, but not as good as an F1 on a level playing field. Or is a T50 as quick as an F1, if the T50 had a manual gearbox and no launch control.

[@deanchur]

@@stuartsmith5308 Do you mean quick or fast? Because the F1 is faster than the T50 but the T50 has a better power/weight ratio than the F1, which, all things being equal, would make it quicker than the F1.

[@barneyrubble9309]

The fact is that the EV Hypercars are one-trick ponies and are just dull to drive.

[@ryanwebb1719]

Henry cadgpole has no strong opinion on a prediction of anything for fear of not getting a pay check...So middle of the road. (Excuse the pun)

[@paulsalter3099]

Why is Henry there?

[@maxtorque2277]

Sorry but Andrew is increasingly sounding like a boring old codger.... I'd rather listen to Henry and Dan. The world moves on, deal with it Andrew.

[@DethThrasher1]

Meh, it's interesting hearing different view points