An electric racing car that shattered the iconic Top Gear test track record is set to be manufactured at a brand-new factory in Gloucestershire, marking a significant step for British automotive innovation. The McMurtry Spéirling PURE, a revolutionary single-seater fan car, will roll off the production line at a newly established facility in Wotton-under-Edge.
A Legacy of Innovation
The vehicle was originally envisioned by the late Sir David McMurtry, the billionaire inventor and founder of engineering firm Renishaw, who passed away in 2024. Sir David co-founded McMurtry Automotive a decade ago, and the company is now steered by his sons, Richard and Ben McMurtry, who both serve on the board. The Spéirling has already made headlines for its extraordinary capabilities, including breaking the Goodwood Hill Climb record and achieving the unique feat of being the first car capable of driving upside down.
Preparing for Production
Having successfully completed over 5,000 kilometres of rigorous testing, the company is now gearing up for full-scale production of the Spéirling PURE. A substantial investment has been made in a new 2,700 square metre facility located near the company's existing headquarters in Wotton-under-Edge. This expansion is strategically designed to not only accommodate current manufacturing needs but also to allow for future growth and the development of an expanded model range in the coming years.
The first production cars are anticipated to be ready by the summer of 2026, with a price tag set at nearly £100,000. This follows the car's ground-breaking performance last year, where the Spéirling PURE VP1 prototype obliterated the previous Top Gear lap record at Dunsfold Aerodrome. It set a blistering time of 55.9 seconds, decisively beating the former record of 59.0 seconds held by Fernando Alonso's 2004 Renault Formula 1 car.
Strategic Growth and Commercial Vision
Richard McMurtry, joint owner of McMurtry Automotive, reflected on the company's guiding philosophy, stating: “Our father’s philosophy was to seek solutions beyond the known limits, to engineer creatively and freely. That remains our guiding principle today.” This ethos is now driving the business into an exciting new phase of strategic development.
In tandem with the manufacturing expansion, the company has established a new division named McMurtry Technology. This arm will be based at the original Swinhay House estate and will focus on commercialising the firm's valuable intellectual property, advanced technologies, and proprietary processes. “With Spéirling entering production and McMurtry Technology established to commercialise our innovations, this is an exciting new phase of strategic growth,” added Mr. McMurtry.
Building a British Engineering Legacy
The company leadership emphasises a commitment to upholding a legacy of exceptional British engineering. “We have an exceptional team that is dedicated to building a future worthy of his legacy, focused on unparalleled vehicles and technologies that conclusively demonstrate the pinnacle of British engineering,” the statement continued.
Thomas Yates, Managing Director and co-founder of McMurtry Automotive, highlighted that the company's tenth anniversary represents a pivotal milestone. “Every day since our inception in 2016, has been exciting and challenging, but mainly exciting. We are carving out a new category for extremely engaging electric track vehicles,” he said.
Yates further explained the broader impact of their work: “This has required inventing new technology, plus building a team and facility to realise the dreams of our customers from around the world. We are really proud we are contributing to the advancement of the industry in a small way and are attracting work from other OEMs to be able to widen the impact of our work via our technology division too. We cannot wait for the customer cars to be spotted at race tracks around the world.”
The establishment of the new Gloucestershire factory signifies a major advancement for McMurtry Automotive, positioning it to bring its record-breaking electric racing technology from the test track to production and onto the global stage.
