The Next Chapter for McMurtry: Revolutionary Electric Hypercar Set for Delivery
In a remarkable journey spanning a decade since its inception, McMurtry Automotive from Britain is now on the brink of delivering its groundbreaking Spéirling track car to eager customers. Out of 100 planned units, 24 have already been sold, with the United States emerging as the primary market for this record-shattering hypercar.
The Spéirling, priced at $1.36 million, is no ordinary vehicle. It has outpaced a Formula 1 car at the Goodwood Hill and holds the all-time record at the Top Gear test track. Thanks to its electric torque and a built-in fan for downforce-on-demand, this 1000-hp marvel accelerates from 0–60 mph in just 1.4 seconds, reaches 100 mph in 2.63 seconds, and covers the quarter-mile in a mere 7.97 seconds. Its downforce capabilities are so extreme that it has been “driven” upside down.
McMurtry cofounder Thomas Yates asserts that customer models will surpass previous performance benchmarks due to an extensive redesign of the prototype.
“It’s a full clean-sheet redesign,” Yates says. “We have evolved basically every part on the car. First we did the car that broke the Goodwood record. We then evolved that into the Pure, which we went and broke a Top Gear record with—and was the car that drove upside down. We put thousands and thousands of kilometers of track mileage on that. We put loads of customers in it, and we got loads of feedback. Then we went, ‘This isn’t good enough, we’re not happy,’ and we started from a clean sheet, all over again, and we have completely redesigned the Spéirling.”
Among the numerous enhancements, the battery pack has been upgraded to 100kWh, allowing for approximately 20-minute track sessions. Additional features include air conditioning, repositioned A-pillars for better visibility, and headlights for nighttime driving.
“The ride quality was so brutal because the car is so fast that it meant you couldn’t have fun on a club circuit, because you have to go to an F1-grade circuit to get the full performance out of the car. So, we’ve hit ride with an absolute vengeance,” Yates explains. Adjustments such as an increased ride height, new adjustable dampers, and LMP medium-compound slick tires enhance the car’s handling.
The Spéirling also features an adjustable pedal box for ease of use, a switch to hydraulic power steering for improved handling, and a roomier, more luxurious interior.
McMurtry has also tackled the issue of charging infrastructure with a portable 100-kilowatt-hour DC fast charger that plugs into standard AC sockets at trackside pits. “The massive elephant in the room with the product previously was, yeah, it’s great, you’ve built this electric car, but what the hell do you do with it? If you don’t have a charging infrastructure, it’s as useful as a chocolate teapot,” Yates remarks.
In addition to the impressive technical specifications, McMurtry plans to offer exclusive track experiences for Spéirling owners. “Our benchmark is Ferrari and its Corsa Clienti program,” Yates states.
Despite its extraordinary capabilities comparable to LMP2 racers, Yates assures potential owners that the Spéirling is designed to be accessible. “It’s much more like a car with slicks than a car with slicks and wings, because the downforce is constant, so your brain adjusts incredibly quickly to the apex speeds and the cornering velocities that you can achieve, unlike in a full-on aero car.”
McMurtry has filed 22 patents and is collaborating with OEMs to leverage its innovative technologies, particularly in aerodynamics. The Spéirling’s battery pack is designed to be adaptable to future technologies, ensuring longevity and upgradability.
As the automotive world continues to debate the viability of electric supercars, Yates remains optimistic. Responding to Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann’s comments on low demand for electric supercars, Yates says, “It’s music to my ears to hear that other manufacturers are canceling their programs, because this lovely space that we’re carving out for ourselves is such a wonderful space to be. We’re so excited about the product, and it is brilliant as an EV, and we’re not going to change that.”
Original Story at www.hagerty.com