McMurtry Spéirling Pure: A Record-Breaking Electric Fan Car Awaits the Road
by AutoExpert | 4 August, 2023
The McMurtry Spéirling Pure, an astonishing track-only electric car that's taken the automotive world by storm, is something enthusiasts can't get enough of. But what about its potential on the road? That's what many are curious about.
This groundbreaking vehicle, which almost silently raced up the famous Goodwood hill, demonstrated the unparalleled capabilities of electric vehicles in motorsport. The talk of both motorsport and automotive communities, it wasn't just the Spéirling's electric powertrain that amazed fans. It was the fans themselves – fans that sucked the car to the asphalt, generating an astonishing two tonnes of ground-effect downforce even from a standstill. This is a feat that even exceeds the downforce of a Formula 1 car racing at 150mph.
Reminiscent of the once-banned technology in Brabham BT46, this fan technology in the McMurtry produces phenomenal grip. When Max Chilton pushed the car to a record-breaking 39.08-second time, a production version of Spéirling became a highly anticipated reality.
Priced around £1 million, the 1000bhp Spéirling Pure was launched as a track-only model, a decision rooted in practicality, according to McMurtry's managing director, Thomas Yates.
By avoiding the complexities and years of effort required for road homologation, particularly surrounding the fan, McMurtry was able to bring their car to market more swiftly. Although there are no technical restrictions on using the fan on the road, introducing it could trigger regulatory scrutiny, adding further delays to the production timeline.
Yates also recognizes the challenge of controlling the fan's use on the road, acknowledging its potential as a safety device for quick stops but also the likelihood of customers misusing it.
For now, the track-only Pure, capable of reaching 0-62mph in just 1.5 seconds, will be delivered to eager customers within the next 18 to 24 months.
However, the prospect of a road version isn't off the table. Yates expresses optimism, stating, "We think a road version could be viable, but there are issues and complexities to look around first." Launching the track car first allows McMurtry to demonstrate its capabilities and build confidence that they're more than a one-off sensation.
And there's more to come. Yates hints at future models that continue McMurtry's obsession with power-to-weight figures, possibly even surpassing the featherweight Spéirling. "Bigger is not always better," he teases, leaving us to ponder the thrilling possibilities of an even lighter car in the future.