Jonathan Lopez wrote:Launched in 2002, the six-figure SR3 is a mainstay of the Radical lineup, outselling the company’s other products by a large margin. Hilariously, all of Radical’s offerings can be converted for street use in certain countries, but you won’t see too many of these Le Mans -style racers out on a grocery run. Obviously, it’s the car’s track prowess that draws customers, and the SR3 is made eligible for entry in a variety of race series, including Radical’s own Clubman’s Cup, European Masters, and SR3 Challenge. This latest iteration does not deviate from the formula, and comes with several new improvements to both performance and reliability.
British manufacturer Radical is known for producing open-wheeled track terrors that are light, nimble, and devastatingly quick. Like any successful racing car, the design philosophy revolves around trimming all the fat, while incorporating the tried and true go-fast technology you’d expect from a modern racer. The engine sits behind the driver, the aero is big and functional, and there’s a ton of tire stuffed under the arches. The result is a laser beam focused tool for putting down blistering lap times, compromising nothing in the quest for ultimate speed.
Say what you want about how the SR3 looks, because it isn’t listening. The design is about winning races, not car shows. However, for 2015, Radical did spend time restyling the RS3. The result is a slight improvement over the 2014 model, but probably not something you’d want to hang on your wall. That hardly matters though, as the shape will still create enough downforce to rip your face off.
Up front, there’s a redesigned diffuser with a “double-tunnel” profile that improves stability under braking. The two very large headlights are fitted with an eight-LED array for improved visibility during night races.
Around the back of the car, an open-deck tail improves airflow, grip, and cooling, while the rear diffuser has been modified to resemble the same piece found on the Radical RXC . More LEDs are used in the taillights.
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Believe it or not, you won’t find a single cup holder in the cockpit of the new SR3. What you will find is an amalgamation of electronic devices that put numbers to the extreme speeds you’ll experience. This includes an AIM MXL2 LCD dashboard that logs and displays information to keep the driver abreast of all pertinent mechanical happenings, plus a real-time track map in case you get lost. There’s also an optional SmartyCam HD GP to pair that data with 720p driving footage to help driver development off the track.Length 4,077 MM (160.51 Inches)
Width 1,799 MM (70.82 Inches)
Height 1,093 MM (43.03 Inches)
Like SR3s of the past, there’s a passenger seat if you want to bring a friend. No word on the urine-resistance of all that carbon fiber.
In a move designed to reduce the astronomically high-cost of maintaining a race car, the RPE 1500 Generation 3 engine powering this Radical has been designed to go longer between services, and also comes blessed with a 40- to 45-hour factory warranty.
But don’t worry, there’s plenty of punch as well. The high revving, naturally aspirated, 1.5-liter four-cylinder comes with a better midrange via easier breathing, including a new larger-diameter tubular exhaust manifold post-combustion and 45-mm individual throttle bodies on the intake side. These improvements should sharpen throttle response and fatten the torque curve, both of which are attributes highly sought-after in a racing platform.
While 210 horsepower may sound rather weak, the Radical’s extreme low weight should put things into perspective. At 1,256 pounds, the power-to-weight ratio comes to just under 6 pounds per horsepower. By comparison, the 911 Turbo S has 6.4 pounds for every one of its 560 horsepower to lug around.
But the SR3 is less about power and more about corner speed. With so little weight and a huge amount of wing, the Radical can pull insane amounts of lateral acceleration. Any driver can stand on the throttle- it’s in the corners that the real talent shows.
DRIVETRAIN/SPECIFICATIONSType RPE-Suzuki Generation 3 1500cc 4-cylinder DOHC engine
Power 210 HP @ 9,500 RPM
Torque 124 LB-FT @ 8,200 RPM
Weight from 570kg (1,256 LBS)
Power to weight ratio 368hp/tonne
0-100km/h 3.1 seconds
Top Speed 250 km/h
