McMurtry Automotive, renowned for breaking the hillclimb record at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last year, is preparing to unveil a limited-edition production model of its electric fan car, the Spéirling PURE. Prior to commencing production, a validation prototype of this high-performance vehicle will be exhibited at this year’s hillclimb event. However, interested buyers should be prepared to dig deep into their pockets as the Spéirling PURE comes with a price tag exceeding one million dollars.
During last year’s Goodwood event, McMurtry surprised onlookers with its exceptional Spéirling electric fan car, driven by former Formula One racer Max Chilton, which swiftly secured the title for the fastest 1.86-kilometer (1.16-mile) hillclimb in the event’s three-decade history, completing the race in a mere 39.08 seconds.
If you watch the footage of the record-setting ascent, you’ll notice that the Spéirling emits what appears to be exhaust or vapor around each corner. That’s because this remarkable vehicle employs a unique fan downforce system developed by McMurtry. Unlike the name suggests, it is not a car entered by electric vehicle enthusiasts, but an electric vehicle itself. The fan downforce system ensures a consistent and manageable downforce at all speeds, angles, and wind directions, providing exceptional grip and acceleration while cornering.
With a peak output of 1,000 horsepower (745 kilowatts) and a top speed of 190 mph, all packed into a lightweight electric vehicle weighing less than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds), the Spéirling is undeniably swift. Building on the success of its Goodwood performance, McMurtry is returning to the prestigious UK event to unveil the Spéirling PURE, a production-intent version of the record-breaking fan car. The Spéirling PURE has already achieved a 15% increase in fan efficiency, shed 14% of its weight, and exhibits enhanced flow variation tolerance.
The production model of the Spéirling PURE will be the world’s first commercially available sealed-skirt fan car, allowing customers to experience its bespoke technology’s 3G cornering capabilities at manageable speeds. Additionally, the PURE version has been specifically designed for multi-lap runs on full race circuits, surpassing the original Spéirling track car’s capabilities. To facilitate its impressive performance, the Spéirling PURE will feature rapid charging capability, enabling a fast charge completion in under 20 minutes.
Due to its remarkable performance, McMurtry claims that the Spéirling PURE qualifies for the GT1 Sports Club, an exclusive driving program that hosts race weekends worldwide for super and hyper track cars. However, before the Spéirling PURE hits the market, McMurtry plans to conduct further development and testing. The validation prototype will be showcased at Goodwood next month, followed by extensive testing in the UK and Europe throughout 2023. During this validation process, McMurtry aims to set new records while working towards pre-production prototypes, scheduled for 2024. Thomas Yates, the founding director of McMurtry, expressed his enthusiasm for the Spéirling PURE, stating that it signifies a new era on the track and offers a distinct experience in terms of sound, grip, acceleration, aesthetics, and technology.
Limited to just 100 units, the production of the Spéirling PURE fan cars will be exclusive, with prices starting at £820,000 ($1.05 million) before taxes and shipping. Customers who pre-order this electric fan car can expect delivery in 2025. McMurtry has already received pre-orders from various regions worldwide, and the company is eager for fan cars to become a customary sight on racetracks.
