A New U.K. Race Car Boasts Zero to 60 in 1.4 Seconds. And You Can Buy One in the U.S. Next Year.

The fastest cars you can buy are all electric. Cars with zero-to-60 times under two seconds are the Rimac Nevera and its close relative the Pininfarina Battista, the Tesla Model S Plaid Edition, and the Lucid Air Sapphire.

Now, add one more: the British-made McMurtry Spéirling. At a Silverstone track event in December, Mat Watson of the YouTube channel Carwows drove the electric, rear-wheel drive Spéirling PURE model to 60 miles an hour in 1.4 seconds, with zero to 100 in 2.63 and a quarter mile in 7.97. The PURE is a racer in an edition of 100, but McMurtry said it will eventually be producing a street-legal version.

The price in the U.K. for the handmade PURE is £895,000, and in the U.S. around US$1 million. McMurtry Automotive was founded in 2016 and based in England’s posh Cotswolds region of Gloucestershire. Managing Director Thomas Yates comes from Formula 1, and the company’s focus is on race-bred technology. Testing, in secret, occurred in the U.K. at tracks such as Castle Combe and Donington Park. The first reveal to the public was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2021, with racers Derek Bell and Alex Summers giving demonstration runs. The next year, the PURE set a hill climb record at Goodwood (going up in 39.08 seconds).

Miller Motorcars of Greenwich, Connecticut, which also handles Ferrari, Bugatti, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, and other luxury brands, announced it was taking on McMurtry in January. The record-breaking car was shown by its battery supplier at CES in Las Vegas earlier this month, but will also be making an appearance in Greenwich, with an open house Feb. 3. The West Coast dealer is O’Gara Motorsport, and the star car was in California at Thermal Raceway earlier this month for a demonstration.

The record-setting McMurtry Spéirling PURE on display at CES this year.
Jim Motavalli

Evan Cygler, director of special projects at Miller, tells Penta he was “completely dumbfounded” to encounter the rear-wheel drive McMurtry PURE in England. “They purposely came out with a finished car at Goodwood to break a record, and achieved the goal,” Cygler says. “The sound of it is incredible, as is the tiny size. We are passionate about our business, so we told them that if there was an opportunity to sell these cars, we’d love to be involved.”

Miller will support these track-only cars with its own track days at Connecticut’s Lime Rock Park, Cygler says. “It is less than two hours away and a fun place to host our customers for a day,” he says. “The Spéirling PURE is a cool weekend racer, and definitely something different. Whether you are into EV products or not, you have to love this.” Miller expects to get one or two PURE cars in 2025, he added. McMurtry will also host customers at private track events in the U.K.

The Spéirling reportedly offers 1,000 horsepower and 1,033 pound-feet of torque from two electric motors. Keeping it on the track are a pair of huge turbines (adapted from Formula 1 and Can Am) located behind the single occupant that extract air from under the car and produce more than 4,000 pounds of downforce. The battery is relatively small at 60 kilowatt-hours, but the carbon fiber-bodied car is so light at approximately 2,200 pounds that it has an estimated 300 miles of range (driven lightly, and on the forgiving European WLTP cycle). Top speed is around 200 mph.

The battery pack in the PURE prototype uses Molicel cells that can fast charge in 20 minutes, with rapid cell cooling. A charge can get the car around Silverstone track for 10 laps. Customer cars will use next-generation cells that are still in development.

The cockpit of the Spéirling PURE is a tight fit, and entry is made easier by a removable steering wheel. The single occupant sits on the rear fender and swings his or her body through the narrow opening, then drops into place. It’s a racer’s view forward, with no infotainment or anything else extraneous to ultra-high-speed driving. The Spéirling PURE may not be useful for getting groceries, but it offers the ultimate acceleration experience.

Curb appeal—the attractiveness of one’s property—is everything when deciding to sell, rent, or simply add value to your home. That’s why Australians spend approximately $1 billion per year on property renovations.

“I am seeing smart investors and homebuyers now actively looking to upgrade, capitalising on opportunities in the market,” said Nunzio Bagnato, consultant at Homebuyers Centre Victoria. “It’s no longer just about looking for a specific price point; buyers are willing to pay extra for quality.”

From strategic renovations to expert upgrades, there are many ways in which you can add value to your property, no matter your budget. Whether you’re a seasoned investor looking to maximise returns, or a savvy homeowner wanting to spruce up your living space, look to these 10 ideas for maximising your home’s aesthetic and appeal…and in the process, add value to your property.

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1). A fresh paint job goes a long way

A fresh coat of paint applied to tired walls, whether on the exterior or interior, can do wonders for your home says interior designer and stylist, Jono Fleming.

“Give your space a makeover with paint to create a fresh and elevated look. This is an accessible tool to introduce colour into your home, which serves to transform the mood and feeling of a space,” he says.

“Colour is an incredibly powerful design tool, however itʼs incredibly important that the end result feels grounded and draws people into the space. I recently refreshed a bedroom in my family’s farmhouse using Fantan and Canyon Cloud from the 2024 Dulux Colour Forecast Muse palette, which has converted the space into a vibrant retreat filled with warmth and new life.”

Besides the obvious — paint acts as a protective barrier against the elements such as rain, UV rays, and moisture — a fresh paint job can immediately add value to your home. If you have some minor imperfections, such as cracks or dents, spend some time on prep before you paint for a better finish and a more durable result. For exteriors, lighter colours are a surefire winner.

“There’s a lot of interest generated from colours; a neutral palette appeals to a broader range of buyers,” says Mr Bagnato.

2). Landscape the garden

A well-kept, manicured garden can add thousands of dollars to the value of your home. If we learned nothing from the pandemic, it’s the value of a private, well-designed outdoor area. Spending time on landscaping your front garden will not only enhance street appeal, but can also increase the functionality providing areas for relaxation, entertaining, and recreational purposes across the site.

A well-designed garden including green space, paved areas, room for entertaining and water features, can also increase your property value by up to 20 percent, according to a study conducted by the University of Western Australia. For smaller areas such as apartments or townhomes, consider seeking help from a gardening specialist who can advise on the best pots, plants and flowers depending on the orientation and soil type of your garden.

3). Your home’s facade says a lot

The very first thing that people will see when looking to purchase their next property is the facade. Even when people are searching online, it’s often the very first image shown on a listing, and one that can make or break a property in a matter of seconds. A visually appealing frontage can set your home apart from neighbours, and can really set the tone for what visitors, future buyers, or investors can expect when they walk through the door.

Patrick Cooney, director of sales at Melbourne-based Milieu Property, agrees that the facade of a home leaves people wanting more.

“The vast majority of people only ever get to see and experience the exterior of a building,” he says. “This is an advertisement for those who walk and drive past. Having amazing architecture and landscaping leaves people wanting to know more.”

4). Who doesn’t love new flooring?

It’s always immediately apparent when a vendor has spent the time and money upgrading their home’s flooring. Besides changing the look and feel of your interiors, investing in high-quality flooring materials, such as sustainable wooden floorboards for common areas such as your living and dining space, and carpet for bedrooms, can immediately increase the perceived value of your home.

One factor to keep in mind is that upgrading your flooring is not only a costly exercise but a disruptive one at that, so careful planning is encouraged.

5). Add that new kitchen

Should homeowners ever consider the need to renovate their homes, the kitchen is often top of the list. However small or large, adding a new kitchen to your home can do a lot for adding value to your home. Why? Recent studies conducted by OnePoll suggest that individuals spend over 1000 hours a year in their kitchen. Whether it’s preparing meals, eating meals, or working from the kitchen bench top, having a kitchen that is accessible, practical but also aesthetically pleasing is every home owner’s dream. Costs vary widely but be aware that there’s not a lot of economy of scale involved. Designing and installing a small kitchen often doesn’t cost significantly less than a larger one.

6). Consider art and furnishings

Another great way to elevate the look and feel of your home—and add value in the process—is through the addition of decorative pieces and furnishings.

“Art, display books and uniquely shaped vessels add interest and are an easy way to introduce colour, achieving a cohesive palette,” Mr Fleming says.

Avoid generic prints and go for something bolder, like vintage advertising posters to add personality to the room. Original art, sourced either directly from the artist, through galleries or at auction is a great way to add a luxe feel to a room. Beyond solid walls, Mr Fleming says window coverings can also benefit from the right dressing.

“Curtains, in particular, are often overlooked as an interior design tool, but theyʼre such an easy way to add colour to your space without it feeling too permanent and can completely change the ambiance or mood within a space.”

7). Upgrade your bathroom

After the kitchen, bathrooms are high on the priority list for buyers. If you’re planning on selling soon, you can make a considerable difference by taking small steps; replacing older sinks and toilets, upgraded hardware and new lighting can instantly transform your bathroom. If you’re planning to stay, or you’re keen to create that ‘wow’ factor for would-be buyers, opting for additions like a double vanity, walk-in shower, bathtub, or simply choosing premium materials such as marble or other natural stone, can all make a significant difference to the value of your home.

If you have more than one bathroom to renovate, consider mixing up materials and fittings while staying with the same colour palette for a cohesive look.

8). Be inventive, add storage

Storage—or the lack thereof—is something all homeowners have to deal with. For many first homebuyers or renters, storage is likely one of those additions worth its weight in gold. So, as a homeowner, adding thoughtful and meaningful storage solutions can go a long way in adding appeal to prospective buyers.

“Smart storage solutions can change one’s home from a nice home to a great home. The majority of people have a plethora of ‘stuff’ and finding a place for these are key,” said Mr Cooney.

“Whether its dropping off your keys and a dog lead in your welcome station by the front door, to having an appliance nook for your coffee machine and toaster, or ensuing you have the basics like adequate bathroom storage that accommodate a hair dryer, these are all incredibly important considerations.”

9). Is your home ‘smart’?

Integrating ‘smart’ technology is something we’re likely to see more homeowners do. While the outlay and time spent in setting up a smart home can deter some, considering things like integrated security systems, sensor blinds, keyless entry systems, smart lighting controlled via your phone, and indoor/outdoor entertainment systems can appeal to tech-savvy buyers (and ultimately increase your property’s value).

“Smart tech for the home can be pushed as far as people are wanting. At Milieu, we generally now include smart locks, smart parcel lockers, energy monitoring and number plate recognition access to basements to our new developments,” said Mr Cooney.

“In our last three projects, we have specified VZug appliances which can also be controlled from the touch of your phone.”

10). Sustainability is key

As we all look to add sustainable measures to our homes for a better, brighter, and greener future, energy efficiency in and around our homes will only become increasingly sought-after among home buyers. This can be done by installing solar panels or energy-efficient windows and doors, installing skylights, opting for appliances that save on power, and increasing ways that save on utility bills, like swapping gas for electric induction stovetops.

“Buyers are highly focused on sustainability and future-proofing their homes,” said Mr. Cooney. “Highly sustainable buildings, with EV provisions are key. People place a premium for sustainability and especially EV charging – the mindset has change from, ‘I may get an electric vehicle’ to ‘when I get an electric vehicle’.”

Adding an EV charging station, should you own a hybrid or electric vehicle, is a great initiative to consider for your home. Not only can an EV charging station power your vehicle, but its power can also be offset to power parts of your home.

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