Thursday 13th January 2011

Radical Reveals Revamped Racers

Ford turbo power and a new 2.7-litre V8 star for new Radicals

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These are Radical’s latest hardcore track car/road-legal racers - the SR3 SL and the revamped SR8 RX – both of which the sports car company has unveiled at the Autosport show.

The most significant of the two is the SR3 SL. Powered by a version of Ford's new 2.0-litre, turbocharged, Euro5-compliant Ecoboost engine, the SR3 SL is, says Radical, the company's most advanced sports car ever.

Among the various tricks in its arsenal, this all-new turbo motor gets ‘Twin-Independent Variable Cam Timing’ and state-of-the-art, high-pressure direct injection.

The 300bhp engine transmits its power to the road via a six-speed sequential gearbox.

Hankerers after even more extreme motoring  can specify a ‘Race Pack’, which includes options such as engine calibration map selection (giving 'road, 'wet' and 'racetrack' maps), an FIA-approved fuel cell, a bi-plane rear wing and racing tyre options. That’s in addition to the paddle-shift gearchange, fly-by-wire throttle, and 675kg kerb weight.

As well as introducing the SR3 SL, Radical has also taken the wraps off the SR8 RX, which features a new 2.7-litre, 460bhp RPX V8 built by newly renamed sister company RPE (Radical Performance Engines), which was formerly called Powertec.

You'll have to dig quite deep for the privilege of owning either of these, though; the SR3 SL is £67,750, while the SR8 will set you back a cool £88,750. And that's without VAT...

[GingerWizard]

Bad day for a Caterham press launch?.....

[soad]

GingerWizard said:

Bad day for a Caterham press launch?.....

Perhaps...it's (unwanted) competition, isn't it...

[Proxy]

I would do terrible things only to have a quick go in one of those SR8 RX's....
Terrible, terrible things...

[Jordan210]

On the SR3 SL did they look at BMW art car from le Mans and think they could recreate it by chucking tons of paint on it ?

tho both do look amazing

[Bill]

I dunno. If the figures are to be believed the Caterham is cheaper and lighter with similar power.

[soad]

Proxy said:

I would do terrible things only to have a quick go in one of those SR8 RX's....
Terrible, terrible things...

Nice looking toy for sure. Want to sit in one

[dele]

Jordan210 said:

On the SR3 SL did they look at BMW art car from le Mans

My thoughts exactly

[rhinochopig]

Bill said:

I dunno. If the figures are to be believed the Caterham is cheaper and lighter with similar power.

And supercharged which, unless Radical have worked some magic with their turbo motor, should have better throttle response.

[GTRene]

very nice



nice when you are rich (wich I'm sadly not) to play around on trackdays...

but to be honest, I rather like something with a roof and windows.

[Bahnstormer]

The SR8 is an incredible machine - went out in it with Rob Weldon at the wheel for a few laps at Brands.

Braking into Paddock at 150mph and going weightless in the harness, before slamming back into the seat as you head into Druids was just unreal.

After going out in one of these you can understand why F1 drivers don't really bother with 'extreme' road cars when they can drive this sort of stuff !

[juansolo]

Bahnstormer said:

The SR8 is an incredible machine - went out in it with Rob Weldon at the wheel for a few laps at Brands.

Braking into Paddock at 150mph and going weightless in the harness, before slamming back into the seat as you head into Druids was just unreal.

After going out in one of these you can understand why F1 drivers don't really bother with 'extreme' road cars when they can drive this sort of stuff !

These are a million miles away from F1 stuff to be fair. But yeah, they do spoil you. Nothing wearing number plates actually feels quick any more and speed becomes far less important. Fun becomes what you want in a road car and that doesn't necessarily mean fast at all.

[benim83n]

GTRene said:

very nice



nice when you are rich (wich I'm sadly not) to play around on trackdays...

but to be honest, I rather like something with a roof and windows.

yep id rather have a roof to and maby afew more seats - (just show off)
that must have some pretty beast accelration
i wish....

[Streetrod]

GTRene said:

very nice



nice when you are rich (wich I'm sadly not) to play around on trackdays...

but to be honest, I rather like something with a roof and windows.

Is it just me or does that remind you of a mini Zonda R ???

[mainaman]

What has happened with the roof development for the SR4?

[pw75]

GingerWizard said:

Bad day for a Caterham press launch?.....

Why would it be? This is the same car with a new engine in it for a lot more money than a Caterham designed by Lola. Caterham spec looks amazing, airjacks as standard etc etc or have I missed the point?

[Stu R]

I'd gladly sell my family into slavery for a lap of Spa in one

[Dubby]

rhinochopig said:

Bill said:

I dunno. If the figures are to be believed the Caterham is cheaper and lighter with similar power.

And supercharged which, unless Radical have worked some magic with their turbo motor, should have better throttle response.

the vareable valve timing on the ecoboost its pritty good at helpin the turbo spin up quick they go pritty well in the fords, should be quite interesting seeing the radical and the caterham go head to head

Edited by Dubby on Thursday 13th January 22:06

[vintageracer01]

Bloody fantastic!
Would like to have it for the Nürburgring...

Jeff Koons might like the paint job, too.

Or not... , perhaps... ?

[AbleArcher]

Looks like Jackson Pollock had a go with the paint job...and I am not a fan of Jackson Pollock.

That aside, the SR3 is a massively cool machine! I'm curious to read about the new turbo motor and how it performs v. the NA versions of old.

[Russell B]

dele said:

Jordan210 said:

On the SR3 SL did they look at BMW art car from le Mans

My thoughts exactly

Jeff Hoons art cr