In a jaw-dropping world first, the British-built McMurtry Spéirling has achieved what was once a physics classroom thought experiment: it drove upside down — from a standstill.
Yes, really.
This wasn’t CGI. There were no tricks. Just British engineering brilliance and a bit of nerve from McMurtry Automotive Co-founder and Managing Director, Thomas Yates. Using the company’s patented Downforce-on-Demand™ fan system, Yates successfully drove the Spéirling upside down on a specially-designed rotating rig at the McMurtry HQ in Gloucestershire.
The feat was witnessed by staff and independent adjudicators. And it’s not just a stunt for headlines — it’s a fascinating showcase of real-world engineering that’s changing what we expect from hypercars.
How did McMurtry do it?
The idea that a car could drive upside down has been around for decades. In theory, Formula 1 cars produce enough downforce at high speeds to counteract gravity. The problem? It’s never been proven outside of simulations or whiteboards. Until now.
The McMurtry Spéirling, however, isn’t dependent on traditional aerodynamic elements or high speeds. Its Downforce-on-Demand™ system uses an electric fan to generate up to 2,000kg of downforce — available from zero mph. That’s more than the weight of the car itself. Unlike wings or diffusers, it works instantly and constantly.
Here’s how the demonstration worked:
- Yates drove the Spéirling onto a platform.
- The rig then slowly rotated, fully inverting the car.
- Even when upside down, the car remained fixed to the “ceiling”.
- Yates then drove forward — unsupported — while inverted.
This is a first not just for McMurtry, but for the entire automotive industry.
More than a one-trick falcon
While the upside-down drive is the headline-grabber, the McMurtry Spéirling has already made waves across the motoring world.
It currently holds records at:
- Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb
- Laguna Seca Corkscrew Hillclimb
- And now, Top Gear’s Test Track, beating the previous best by 3.1 seconds — a time set by a Formula 1 Renault R24.
All this from a single-seat, all-electric British hypercar. It’s designed with a purpose: maximum performance in the smallest, most agile package.
Designed for speed and spectacle
The car used in the upside-down stunt was the Spéirling PURE Validation Prototype 1 (VP1) — an evolution of the record-setting original. It was presented in a moody gloss black falcon camouflage on a matt black basecoat. Even the artwork under the rear wing is designed to be appreciated upside down.
The falcon theme pays tribute to the peregrine — the company’s logo and the world’s fastest creature. A fitting mascot.
Underneath the dramatic visuals lies an electric powertrain that launches the Spéirling to:
- 60mph in 1.5 seconds
- Quarter mile in 8 seconds
- Cornering grip of over 3g
That last stat means the Spéirling sticks to the track better than most race cars. And now, as proven, even to the ceiling.
Ready for production — but limited
Only 100 production units of the Spéirling PURE will be made, with customer deliveries planned for 2026. Each car will come with a higher-capacity 100kWh battery, offering:
- 20 minutes of track time at GT3 pace
- Multiple flying laps at record-breaking speeds
The battery will use Molicel 21700 P50B lithium-ion cells, known for their high power delivery and energy density — perfect for extended hot laps without thermal or power fade.
Built with safety in mind
Driving upside down might look like a party trick, but the Spéirling is no gimmick.
It’s built to the same safety standards as LMP1 race cars from Le Mans. The downforce system plays a crucial safety role too. If a driver loses control, the high grip levels mean braking can stop the car quickly — often while still on the tarmac.
In testing, McMurtry engineers found the fan system keeps the car stable in spins, helping the driver regain control or come to a halt far more effectively than in conventional setups.
British brilliance — and a legacy
The Spéirling was the vision of Sir David McMurtry, one of the UK’s most successful inventors and industrialists. Though Sir David passed away in December, his company continues to push boundaries. The team behind the Spéirling is small, agile, and bold — just like the car itself.
Thomas Yates called the day of the stunt “fantastic” and hinted that this might only be the beginning. With longer rigs or tunnels, he believes the upside-down driving distance could be extended. Now that the theory is proven, the possibilities are wide open.
Why this matters
The Spéirling’s upside-down stunt is more than a viral headline. It’s a breakthrough in how downforce is created and applied. And it’s proof that electric hypercars can be exciting, innovative, and unashamedly dramatic.
It’s a wake-up call to the supercar world. Lightweight, fan-powered, and electric might just be the future of extreme performance.
Conclusion: What do you think?
Is this the most innovative hypercar of our time? Could fan-based downforce change the face of racing and performance driving? Would you like to see the Spéirling take on a vertical wall — or maybe even a full tunnel loop?
Let us know in the comments.
Would you drive a hypercar upside down?
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