Gordon Murray Group Launches Project M-LightEn for Next-Generation Lightweight Vehicle Structures
Gordon Murray Group (GMG) has unveiled a pioneering consortium project to develop a new generation of ultra-lightweight, environmentally friendly vehicle structures. Within three years, the initiative targets the creation of a novel vehicle monocoque architecture that is lighter and stronger whilst reducing carbon intensity by 50%.
Project M-LightEn (Monocoque Architecture—Lightweight and Low Energy) receives funding support from Innovate UK and the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). The endeavour is expected to generate as many as 160 new jobs across the Gordon Murray Group and its partners, including Carbon ThreeSixty, Constellium, and Brunel University London.
Gordon Murray Group will lead the research, design, construction, and validation of digital and physical monocoque prototypes. The aim is to validate various new solutions that will lead to the development and industrialisation of innovative monocoque structures for an array of new vehicles. By achieving superior performance through further weight reduction, this initiative could enable future Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) vehicles to boast any supercar's lowest lifecycle carbon footprint.
Jean-Phillipe Launberg, GMG’s Strategy and Business Director, remarked: “The potential for this project is exhilarating for Gordon Murray Automotive as the firm consistently strives to integrate the latest materials, technologies, and processes in our driver-focused supercars.
“In addition to its application in niche supercars, Project M-LightEn will foster decarbonisation across the broader automotive industry by shortening and mitigating the risks associated with market entry for innovative new materials and processes.”
The consortium aims to cut vehicle lifecycle CO2 emissions by a third or more, using AI to optimise designs while developing new materials and advanced manufacturing processes. Constellium and Brunel plan to supply STEP-enhanced ultra-high-strength extrusions from 80% recycled UK consumer scrap aluminium within the monocoque structure. Simultaneously, Carbon ThreeSixty will manufacture lightweight carbon fibre composite components, achieving nearly zero waste through the highly precise ‘tailored fibre-placement’ production method.
Prof Geoff Scamans, Professor of Metallurgy at Brunel University London, said: “This project offers an exceptional opportunity to exploit the high-strength extrusion aluminium alloy technology developed in the EPSRC strain-enhanced precipitation in aluminium (STEP Al) programme, funded as an EPSRC Prosperity Partnership between Constellium and Brunel. The M-LightEn project will utilise the highest-performing aluminium extrusion alloys made from recycled end-of-life aluminium using novel thermomechanical processing techniques.”
The project's initial phase has already begun, exploring new materials and joining techniques. From late 2027, developments from M-LightEn are projected to be available for low-volume commercial use, with more extensive, mainstream applications expected thereafter.