Five years ago, a small British electric car took the hypercar world by storm. The McMurtry Spéirling certainly look strange, but prototypes almost immediately set about shattering records. The fastest car ever up the Goodwood hillclimb, a faster lap time than a Renault R24 F1 car around the Top Gear test track. After years of dropping jaws during development, the production-spec Spéirling Pure is here, and it looks like it will live up to the hype.
Right off the bat, the production car is slightly larger than the prototype, 11 percent longer and 14 percent wider to be precise. This growth in overall dimensions supports a much larger battery pack containing 100 kWh of energy versus the prototype’s 60 kWh, which translates to greater runtime at maximum attack. The Spierling Pure as delivered to customers claims 40 to 50 kilometers range at LMP2 pace, and If you’ve ever watched a multi-class endurance race, you’ve probably seen LMP2 cars blow past GT4 cars like they’re standing still.
Granted, more battery cells mean more weight. A lot more weight. An extra 1,000 pounds over the prototype. However, since the prototype was so light, that just means the Spéirling Pure only weighs 145 pounds more than a new Subaru BRZ while still serving up 1,000 horsepower, a top speed of 190 MPH, and that utterly entrancing fan system.
Similar to the prototype, a two-fan system spinning at up to 23,000 RPM rapidly evacuates air from underneath the Spéirling Pure, resulting in up to 4,400 pounds of downforce from an absolute standstill. This makes the hypercar able to be driven upside-down, and results in some truly silly performance figures. Think zero-to-60 mph in 1.55 seconds, along with peak cornering and braking forces of three gs. That’s Le Mans Hypercar territory.
Beyond the head-bending statistics, McMurtry has also thought about usability. The production car gets a new carbon fiber monocoque that conforms to motorsport safety standards whilst allowing for better ergonomics. The door aperture’s wider, the new A-pillars reportedly reduce blind spots, and McMurtry claims the Spéirling Pure can accommodate drivers up to six-foot-seven. You can even option air-con so you don’t cook in the cockpit when tarmac temperatures are well over 100 degrees.
Then there’s the suspension, which has been updated from the prototype in rather considerate ways. A 20 percent taller ride height, increased articulation, and higher-profile tires should cope better with bumpy tracks and a bit of curbing, making things a bit more comfortable for those who don’t have the physique of a top-level racing driver. On the subject of handling bits, the Spéirling Pure’s actually gone from electric power steering to an electrohydraulic setup for improved feel and feedback.
Of course, such otherworldly performance doesn’t come cheap. The McMurtry Spéirling Pure starts at $1.3 million, which is a lot for a trackday toy that’s time attack-eligible. Replacement Michelin S8M slicks cost between $800 and $900 each too, but when it comes to this sort of speed, the Spéirling Pure is a relative bargain. Unlike most prototype race cars, it doesn’t require a full crew of people to run it. McMurtry says a driver and a “competent friend” are all you need. What’s more, there are no engine rebuilds or clutch replacements or special, expensive warm-up equipment required beyond maybe a set of tire warmers. Since most race tracks don’t have DC fast chargers in their pits, McMurtry’s even cooked up a special power bank for the Spéirling. It plugs into the wall, features 100 kWh of capacity and 120 kW of output, and should be able to juice the car up in under an hour so it can get back to shattering lap records.
While there have been fan cars made before the McMurtry Spéirling, nothing’s existed quite on this level that people can actually buy. Expect a public debut at The Quail in Monterey, Calif. next month, with deliveries starting later this year. Who will be the first to run on in Global Time Attack or Time Attack Masters? I can’t wait to find out.
Top graphic image: McMurtry Automotive
This OR 2 Ferrari Luce’s?
With ground clearance that low, be careful with those strip mall speedbumps.
The cornering speeds this thing will be capable of are going to show owners why F1 drivers have incredibly strong neck muscles.
Silly me, I thought “production-spec” meant “street legal”. I was really excited to hear about how they made this street legal, but alas…
I wish I could afford one. Definitely a bucket list car for me.
What a does a “competent friend” mean? Competent at what? Crosswords?
In my case, competent at money management so I could afford to blow 1.3 million on a toy.
I cannot afford cars I cannot pronounce.
Also it will look very batmobile in black.
“it will look very batmobile in black.”
With 4,400lbs of fan driven down force, you could race it up the side of a skyscraper! Attach a pyrotechnic deployable paragliding wing to the roof. (for safety)
Cool piece of technology that is approaching “cheating at video games” levels of performance. Fascinating engineering but somehow…so perfect it’s boring? I’m not sure I understand, myself.
Agreed. Zero interest, basically just skimmed through and came for the comments. Another unobtanium toy.
Countdown to it being lifted a few millimeters, fitted with signals, and claimed “roadworthy” in the UK.