The McMurtry Speirling Pure is a big fat flick to physics. Imagine a car that doesn’t need speed to generate grip — it simply sucks itself onto the track, from the get go. That’s exactly what the Speirling Pure does, courtesy of its fan-powered aerodynamics, and it’s unlike anything the automotive world has ever seen (unless you count the Brabham fan car from Formula 1). In 2023, it famously stormed up the Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb in just 39.08 seconds, setting a new outright record and firmly putting the brand on the automotive map. And now is the time to welcome its production version.
Limited to just 100 units, the Speirling ‘Pure’ is still track-only, with 95 per cent newer parts to make it more refined and better suited to demanding track days. At the heart of it is a carbon fibre monocoque wrapped in a tiny body measuring just 3.8 metres long. Despite its tiny footprint, the Speirling Pure packs a 100 kWh battery pack, which is a significant upgrade over the prototype’s 60 kWh unit. To accommodate the bigger battery, it has a 200mm longer wheelbase.
It’s propelled by a dual-motor setup producing a staggering 1000 bhp, all sent to the rear wheels. The larger battery allows the Pure to complete up to 50 km of running at LMP2 race pace before needing a recharge. Even with the additional battery capacity increasing weight to around 1350kg (+200kg over the prototype), performance remains nothing short of extraordinary. The sprint from 0 to 100 kph takes just 1.55 seconds, with a 305 kph top whack.
The real magic, however, happens underneath the car. Instead of relying solely on wings to create grip, the Speirling Pure employs McMurtry’s revolutionary Downforce-on-Demand system. Two fans mounted behind the cockpit spin at up to 23,000 rpm, actively extracting air from beneath the car. Combined with sealing skirts along the floor, they create a powerful vacuum effect that literally pulls the car onto the circuit. The system generates an astonishing 2000 kg of downforce from a standstill — something conventional aerodynamic packages simply cannot achieve. And because maximum downforce is available almost instantly, the Pure delivers cornering forces of up to 3G.
The Pure gets wider Michelin slick tyres with taller sidewalls to improve grip, while updated suspension geometry offers greater articulation and a higher ride height for improved usability on different circuits. Buyers can also specify electronically adjustable dampers, while hydraulic power steering replaces the prototype’s electric setup to deliver more natural steering feel and feedback.
McMurtry has also made the Pure practical for a purpose-built track machine. The cockpit is larger than before and can comfortably accommodate drivers up to 6ft 7in, using a custom-moulded seat. Essential features such as ABS, traction control, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, headlights, brake lights and indicators make the car easier to use during organised track events. There’s even dedicated storage space for a helmet and HANS (Head and Neck Support) device.
The Pure boasts DC fast charging capability. As a result, it can top up its battery from 20 to 95 percent in as little as 20 minutes. For circuits without permanent charging infrastructure, McMurtry also offers a portable 100kWh power bank capable of charging the car at speeds of up to 120kW.
Priced at an eye-watering Rs 12.6 crore before Indian taxes, duties and optional extras, the McMurtry Speirling Pure is one of the most outrageous track toys out there. It’s a rolling showcase of radical engineering, and for the handful of buyers lucky enough to own one, it will be an experience that’s as close to driving a Formula 1 car as they’re ever likely to get.
