Radical is launching an even quicker version of the SR8.
The SR8LM, as the car is to be known, is powered by a 2.8 litre, 455bhp Powertec RPB motor which is based on the hugely successful 360bhp RPA motor.
Like the RPA, the RPB utilises Suzuki GSXR 1300 cylinder heads mated to a Powertec designed and manufactured crank case assembly.
Weighing in at only 88kg the RPB engine incorporates a four pump dry sump system with two oil pressure pumps and integral rotary vane water pump. Powertec has uprated both the cam shafts and the cylinder heads and fitted purpose designed forged pistons and conrods.
The twin butterfly plenum induction system of the RPA is replaced with an eight butterfly direct injection system, which is claimed to dramatically improve response and drivability. The new engine can run for 30 hours between rebuilds, according to its makers.
Radical have also installed an ‘in house designed’ Powertec P tec six speed transaxle which transmits the 455bhp and 10,500 maximum rpm of the Powertec motor to the circuit. Gear change is via Radical’s own paddle operated power shifter which allows flat shifts going up the box and automatically ‘blips’ the throttle going down. A considerable amount of work has been carried out to match the Powertec P tec transaxle with the pneumatically operated Powertec PS1 shifter.
The result of all this technology is a car claimed to be capable of matching a Le Mans prototype around most circuits, hence the ‘LM’ designation.
Radical co founder, Mick Hyde elaborates, “Many of our customers worldwide, race their Radicals in multi make sports car series and require a car that will beat all comers. The SR8 is that car. It is the fastest off the shelf sports racer in the world (actually it takes six weeks to build one) and at £89K ready to race, the SR8LM is also extremely good value.”