McMurtry Spéirling
| Spéirling | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | McMurtry Automotive |
| Production | 2021 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Hypercar |
| Body style | Fastback |
| Related | Battery: 60 kWh (800 V, 75 Ah),[1] Charging power: 600 kW, Fan power for downforce: 60 kW, Range: 350 km (WLTP), Maximum driver height: 2 m |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2 electric motors |
| Transmission | E-axle, RWD |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,000 mm (78.7 in) |
| Length | 3,200 mm (126.0 in) |
| Width | 1,500 mm (59.1 in) |
| Height | 1,050 mm (41.3 in) |
| Curb weight | Under 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) |
McMurtry Spéirling is a single-seat electric concept car which was presented at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2021. The car is developed by the British startup company McMurtry Automotive founded in 2016 by Irishman Sir David McMurtry (which also is behind the engineering company Renishaw plc).[2] Spéirling means thunderstorm in Irish,[3] and plays on the car having a fan used for active downforce which can be controlled by the driver using buttons on the steering wheel. The fan produces a noise level of 120 dB at full fan speed, and provides an added downforce of 500 kg available from a standstill.
History[]
According to McMurtry, the motivation behind the car was to see what was possible to achieve by taking a step away from road cars and existing racing categories.[4] The concept car is neither type approved for road use nor homologated for racing, but is built to satisfy relevant motorsport safety requirements, i.e. having crash structures and a carbon fibre monocoque with integral rollover protection.
The car was first presented at the Goodwood festival on 8–11 July 2021, where it was part of the show run segment "Future of Motorsport Power", being driven by five time Le Mans winner Derek Bell.[3] Before this the car had been developed in secrecy over three years.[3]
McMurtry has announced that, in the year following the 2021 Goodwood festival, they will try to beat several world records with the car.
Specifications[]
McMurtry has not published mass and power figures, but have promised that the car will weigh below 1000 kg and have a mass to power ratio of at least 746 kW per 1000 kg (1 horsepower per kilogram). The manufacturer claims that this will be sufficient for the car to accelerate from zero to 300 km/h in 9 seconds and to reach an estimated top speed above 320 km/h. Estimated driving time on a race track at a GT3 pace is about 30–60 minutes.[3]
The car has rear wheel drive using two electric motors placed inside a specially designed axle called an e-axle, and uses carbon brakes. The body has a monocoque structure made of carbon fiber and has room for a driver between 150 and 200 cm tall. The battery is integrated into a separate safety cell inside the monocoque.
Active downforce[]
A special design aspect of the car its active downforce system without the use of a front or rear wing (and the associated extra drag which would have resulted) by means of a 60 kW fan which provides an extra 500 kg of downward force, available from a standstill. When the fan is at full speed it emits about 120 dB of noise, which is comparable to that of a jet engine at full speed.[5][6] The use of a fan for downforce is probably inspired by the Formula One car Brabham BT46 which was designed by Gordon Murray and which competed using such a fan at the beginning of the 1978 season of Formula 1 before a rule change was made under the pressure from the other race teams resulting in a ban on movable aerodynamic surfaces.[7] As of 2021, the only car on the market with a similar fan driven downforce system is Gordon Murray Automotive T.50.
Tires[]
The tire width is 210 mm on the front and 240 mm on the rear, both on 19 inch (483 mm) rims. This may seem a bit modest for a supercar, and is almost comparable to regular road cars which tend to have tire widths tire widths between 195 mm and 205 mm.[8]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Speirling – McMurtry Automotive
- ^ McMurtry Automotive reveals composites-intensive, fully electric Spéirling demonstrator vehicle | CompositesWorld
- ^ a b c d 2022 McMurtry Spéirling - Dailyrevs
- ^ Er dette verdens raskeste elbil? 0–300 på ni sekunder - Tu.no
- ^ McMurtry Spéirling is the Wackiest Race Car Ever? | MotorBiscuit - editorpen
- ^ The McMurtry Spéirling track car is crazy, loud and fully electric | VISOR PH
- ^ British startup McMurtry unveils electric track car with downforce-generating fan
- ^ Alt du bør vite om dekk - Tu.no
External links[]
- Video: The Future of Motorsport Power | Goodwood Festival of Speed 2021, featuring the McMurtry Spéirling at 3:15
- Concept cars