What is it?

The Spéirling PURE is a radical, single‑seat electric track car built around McMurtry’s patented Downforce‑on‑Demand™ fan system. After years of prototype development and record‑setting runs (including a Goodwood Hillclimb record and a Top Gear Test Track lap faster than a 2004 Renault F1 car), McMurtry has reworked nearly everything: 95% of production components are new versus the prototype. The result is a compact carbon‑mono cockpit that delivers staggering numbers — up to 2,000 kg of instant downforce from 0 mph, 3g cornering and braking loads, 0–60 mph in 1.55 seconds and a 190 mph top speed, all this while offering owner‑friendly features like easier ingress/egress, headlights, indicators and simplified servicing access. Power comes from a new 100 kWh modular Molicel battery feeding twin Helix motors that put about 1,000 bhp to the rear wheels. In short, it’s an obsessive blend of motorsport tech and practical design: a track weapon you can actually own, personalise and run without a professional team.

Heritage, Origins and Design Philosophies

Named for the Gaelic word for “thunderstorm,” the Spéirling stems from the vision of Sir David McMurtry and Thomas Yates. Sir David, the inventor behind metrology giants Renishaw’s touch probe, and Yates, a former Mercedes F1 high‑performance powertrain engineer, founded McMurtry Automotive in 2016 to pursue extreme, lightweight performance and revive fan‑car downforce concepts inspired by 1970s Can‑Am and F1 examples.

McMurtry’s brief was uncomplicated: go smaller, lighter and more extreme in performance without becoming unusable, much like Colin Chapman’s vision of Lotus cars. The production Spéirling stays true to the prototype’s bold stance and proportion but is reshaped where necessary to meet safety, comfort and serviceability goals. The visible fan inlet ducts at the rear are a signature design cue now exposed by relocating the fan system, while new bodywork and a larger footprint preserve the car’s dramatic presence.

Performance Specifications

Powertrain Upgrades

Production cars upgrade battery capacity to a 100 kWh Molicel P50B NCA 21700 pack (up from 60 kWh in prototypes) and introduce McMurtry’s modular battery architecture to allow future evolution. New Helix drive motors and a beefed gearbox add torque, and regenerative braking has been increased to recover up to 200 kW across all states of charge. Cooling was shifted from rear to front to improve overall thermal efficiency and aerodynamic cleanliness.

The headline figures are dramatic: 0–60 mph in 1.55 seconds (with a one‑foot roll out), 3g lateral and braking loads, a quoted top speed of 190 mph and instantaneous downforce from idle. Those numbers reflect the car’s unusual physics which uses fan‑generated suction rather than purely aero speed‑dependent load which in turn allows consistent performance even in low‑speed or transient scenarios.

Chassis, Suspension, Steering & Handling

A new carbon‑fibre monocoque meets global motorsport safety standards and makes room for a bigger battery while improving cabin space, ingress/egress and driver visibility via a repositioned A‑pillar. Wheelbase has grown from 2.0m to 2.2m, and the production car gains wider door openings and a secondary hinged door for easier entry. The swan‑neck rear wing sits over a small boot able to hold a helmet and HANS device.

The production car adds increased suspension articulation and a nominal 20% higher ride height when in use for improved compliance. Michelin slicks are wider (11% front, 3% rear) with taller sidewalls (+15 mm) to smooth behaviour. Electric power steering has been replaced by hydraulic power‑assisted steering with F1‑style valving, delivering lighter, more tactile feedback. Electronically adjustable dampers are available as an option.

The Party Piece: Downforce‑on‑Demand™

At the heart of Spéirling PURE’s performance is McMurtry’s Downforce‑on‑Demand™ fan system. Two high‑speed fans (up to ~23,000 rpm) suck air from a sealed underbody, producing immediate downforce even from standstill — up to 2,000 kg — so drivers have enormous grip the moment they need it. Dual fans provide redundancy; a retractable skirt system is now supported by an onboard air compressor for easier trailer loading and pit manoeuvres. The expelled air and high‑speed fans give the car a jet‑like howl, a startling contrast to usual EV silence.

Production & Track Operation

Production takes place by hand at McMurtry’s new, state‑of‑the‑art factory in the Cotswolds, England. McMurtry reports that 95% of production components are new versus the prototype, reflecting extensive R&D and changes to make the car both more durable and more usable for customers.

The production Spéirling adds headlights, indicators, hazard lights and a main beam flash to enable evening track running, plus traction control and ABS for driver aids. The sealed downforce system also provides better control during spins, helping the vehicle settle and stop more predictably than conventional aero‑dependent cars.

Interior

The cockpit has moved beyond purely functional to bespoke: seats are custom‑moulded per owner using a process similar to Le Mans prototypes, and trim options include multiple colours, stitching, stripes and logos. A racing‑style steering wheel houses key controls (including a fan rev paddle), while a central display shows power, fan settings, state of charge and temperatures. McMurtry offers extensive personalisation during ordering — no two cars need be identical.

It’s surprising they managed to pack so much functionality in such a small cabin.

Usability & Practicality

McMurtry intentionally designed the PURE to be easier to own than most hyper‑track cars. Access panels simplify servicing, the onboard compressor replaces an external pre‑charge bottle for the downforce skirts, and even a solo driver plus a competent friend can operate the car at track days. For owners who prefer turnkey support, McMurtry provides full factory support programmes.

As for charging and range figures, The 100 kWh battery yields a run distance of roughly 40–50 km at LMP2 race‑car pace. With modern high‑power track chargers, McMurtry quotes 20%–95% charge times of 20–60 minutes depending on charger power and ambient temperature. As an optional extra, McMurtry offers a portable 100 kWh, 120 kW powerbank so owners can charge at venues without suitable infrastructure.

Purchasing a McMurtry Spéirling PURE

The Spéirling PURE is priced at £995,000 (approximately $1.3m / €1.15m) plus local taxes, shipping and options. McMurtry expects deliveries to begin later in 2026, with extensive customisation and factory support available to buyers.

The Ownership Structure

The ownership aspect of a McMurtry Spéirling PURE is something the organisation has stressed upon a lot in the car’s global reveal. McMurtry wants to build a community of enthusiasts that can help aid the company in its journey to the pinnacle of performance.

McMurtry will run an Owners Club that includes bucket‑list track events, driver training (from ice driving to high‑downforce circuits), technical access to engineering updates, and logistics support for international events — turning ownership into a curated social and sporting experience.

Spéirling PURE is eligible for events such as Global Time Attack (USA), European Time Attack Masters and non‑competitive track clubs like GT1 Sports Club. McMurtry will also promote owner participation through its Owners Club, which offers training, technical access and global track support. You can see a Spéirling PURE at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from 9–12 July; its full production debut will follow at The Quail in Monterey on 14 August. McMurtry has also leveraged prototype record runs — including the Goodwood hillclimb and a Top Gear Test Track lap — to build the car’s legend.

In summary, we are about to witness the metrics and limits of performance be annihilated by the McMurtry Spéirling PURE.

Image Courtesy: Autoweek
News Courtesy: McMurtry Automotive