If a car can produce more downforce than its own weight, in theory, it could drive upside down. However, no one has ever pulled it off because conventional aerodynamic features like wings and diffusers only create that level of downforce at insane levels of speeds, similar to Formula 1 cars. Downforce increases with the square of the speed, and building a tunnel long enough to make that happen is basically a pipe dream.
But in a wild feat of automotive engineering, British electric hypercar manufacturer McMurtry Automotive has achieved a world first — successfully driving its McMurtry Spéirling hypercar upside down from a dead stop. Don’t believe it? Here’s the video proof!
The stunt was performed at the McMurtry HQ in Gloucestershire, with Co-founder and Managing Director Thomas Yates taking the wheels of the Spéirling. What’s the secret sauce, you ask? McMurtry’s ingenious Downforce-on-Demand™ fan system which generates 2000kg of downforce even at zero speed. That vacuum-like grip is key to pulling off the crazy experiment.
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How did McMurtry make it happen?
The car was driven onto a specially designed rotating rig, which then flipped the Spéirling upside down. Thanks to the vacuum-like effect of its fan system, the vehicle remained stuck to the inverted platform. Once fully upside down, Yates drove the Spéirling forward—unaided by any supports—making it the first car in the world to drive upside down from a standstill.
“This was a surreal experience and a fantastic day in the office,” said Yates. “It was a true showcase of what our technology can achieve — a testament to the genius of our engineering team.”
Another record in the bag
In addition to the inverted driving demonstration, McMurtry also revealed that the Spéirling has now broken the Top Gear Test Track record by a remarkable 3.1 seconds, dethroning the previous record held by a Renault R24 Formula 1 car.
This adds to an already impressive list of achievements, including:
- Fastest time up the Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb
- Laguna Seca Corkscrew Hillclimb record holder
What makes the Spéirling special — besides the whole upside-down thing?
The McMurtry Spéirling is a single-seat, all-electric British hypercar designed to deliver extreme performance in a compact and lightweight package. It was envisioned by Sir David McMurtry, a British inventor and businessman who passed away in December 2023.
The car can:
- Accelerate from 0–60 mph in 1.5 seconds
- Complete a quarter-mile in 8 seconds
- Corner at over 3g forces
Its fan-based downforce system sets it apart. This system provides unparalleled grip and stability regardless of speed or direction, a critical factor in both performance and safety. Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect for this technological marvel, is the fact that the McMurty Spéirling is a car that (very rich) people can buy, and soon there will be a road-legal version as well.
From concept to production
The car used for the stunt was the Spéirling PURE Validation Prototype 1 (VP1) — a refined version of the original concept. Only 100 production model units will be built, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026. The final version will feature a 100kWh battery, enabling up to 20 minutes of track time at race pace.
Safety first and foremost
While the inverted stunt may seem risky, the Spéirling is built to the same rigorous standards as Le Mans LMP1 race cars. Its advanced downforce system allows for rapid deceleration even during spins or uncontrolled movements, enhancing driver safety on the track.
A nod to the original
The record-breaking car was dressed in a special edition falcon camouflage livery inspired by McMurtry’s original 2021 fan car. The design includes unique graphics under the rear wing — visible only when the car is upside down — paying tribute to the public’s early questions: “Can it drive upside down?”
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