Car Successfully Navigates Roadways Upside Down, Driving on Its Roof

The McMurtry Speirling, an innovative electric vehicle, has made headlines with its impressive performance at McMurtry Automotive's headquarters in southwest England. On the same day, the Speirling PURE VP1 prototype shattered the Top Gear test track record by an impressive 3.1 seconds.

Founded by engineer and entrepreneur Sir David McMurtry in 2016, McMurtry Automotive is now led by Thomas Yates. The Speirling PURE VP1 is a further development of the model that set the Goodwood record, demonstrating the company's relentless pursuit of innovation.

The Speirling PURE VP1 can accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h (60 mph) in a breathtaking 1.5 seconds, corner at over three times its own weight (over 3g), and cover a quarter mile in about 8 seconds. But what sets the Speirling apart is its ability to drive upside down and generate downforce at a standstill, thanks to an artificially generated underpressure under the car's floor, stronger than gravity.

This unique feature plays a safety role: even with sudden driving errors or a spin, the vehicle often remains stable due to strong adhesion and can be quickly braked - often still on the track itself. The McMurtry Speirling's structure meets the safety standards of the LMP1 class, the fastest vehicles in endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans (France).

The previous record was set in 2004 by a Renault R24 with a V10 engine - a Formula 1 car. McMurtry aims to develop vehicles with the Speirling PURE that can push non-professionals to their driving limits - on closed tracks. The goal is to revive the legendary concept of "fan cars" - vehicles with vacuum technology - and demonstrate the advantages of small, lightweight cars.

The production model of the McMurtry Speirling will feature cells of the P50B Molicel 21700 type, known for their high power output and energy density. With a larger battery (100 kWh), it promises longer track times. McMurtry's team consists of a small group of creative engineers with a clear mission: to combine extreme driving pleasure with simple technology.

The McMurtry Speirling's demonstration caused quite a stir among experts, showcasing the potential of electric vehicles in the realm of high-performance motorsports. The Speirling PURE VP1 is set to go into production from 2026, with a planned run of 100 vehicles.