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For decades, the automotive world has circulated the extraordinary claim that Formula 1 cars can produce sufficient downforce to drive upside down at high speeds. This extravagant notion has now been realised, albeit by a different contender in the realm of hypercars. The McMurtry Speirling has become the first vehicle to achieve this feat, claiming the title of the world’s sole car capable of driving upside down, with the added distinction of being able to do so without the necessity of high velocities.
The Speirling’s remarkable capability stems from its innovative design, featuring two powerful fans located beneath the car’s floor that can generate an impressive 2000kg of downforce. This technological advancement enables the vehicle to remain firmly grounded, or in this case, inverted, at any speed. In a demonstration of this capability, the car was positioned on a platform and rotated 180 degrees. During this test, McMurtry co-founder and managing director Thomas Yates was able to drive the Speirling forward while it was upside down, successfully marking what is being classified as an official driving record.
Despite its groundbreaking performance, the McMurtry Speirling is not intended for public roads, with plans for the company to produce a limited run of just 100 units. This exclusivity ensures that each example of the Speirling will likely be the fastest vehicle present at any track day events it is permitted to participate in.
The Speirling has not only made headlines for its unique abilities but has also set records on respected circuits. In the summer of 2022, it recorded a time of 55.9 seconds around the iconic Top Gear test track, making it the fastest car to complete a lap on that course. This record time surpasses that of a 2004 Renault Formula 1 car by more than three seconds, although it’s notable that the F1 vehicle completed its lap under less than ideal conditions with greasy track surfaces.
Powering the McMurtry Speirling are two electric motors located on the rear axle, which produce up to 745 kW of power. The vehicle has been engineered to weigh under 1000kg, contributing further to its impressive performance metrics. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, innovations such as those presented by the Speirling are likely to influence the future of high-performance vehicles.
The new McMurtry Spéirling PURE VP1 is accumulating mileage in the UK during private test sessions.
