WORDS: KYLE FORTUNE | PHOTOS: RICK NOEL
Radical Motorsport is the world’s second-biggest racing-car manufacturer after Porsche. You might not have heard the name, but if you’ve been to a track you’ll almost certainly have seen its wares; the British firm exports 90 percent of its output to its 33 global dealers in 21 countries, with 12 Radical Cup championships running across four continents.
This feature first appeared in Magneto issue 18.
In any hands it’s a wickedly quick, capable racer – and in the best, it’s otherworldly
The SR3 is the company’s core offering, sitting between the SR1 entry-level racer and the SR10. The new SR3 XXR builds on that hugely competitive, tubular-framed, two-seater set-up with the latest development of the RPE (Radical Performance Engines) four-cylinder unit in either 1340cc or 1500cc form. There has been a marginal power gain, but the key development goal for the engines was improved durability, with the running time between rebuilds increasing from 40 to 50 hours, and the oil-change requirement being extended from six up to ten hours.
Elsewhere, the changes to create the new SR3 XXR are focused on boosting driveability, engine cooling and aerodynamic stability, with incremental gains in every area. Aero improvements include a central spine inspired by LMP cars to aid high-speed cornering agility, while the redesigned side pods and front-wheel venting help clean up airflow along the sides and feed the now-bigger radiators.
The front splitter and rear diffuser have also been reworked, and are now optionally offered in carbonfibre, making the car around 20kg lighter overall. Other options bring greater configurability to suit owners’ requirements, including AP Racing brakes, a Halo-inspired Cockpit Safety Structure from the previous SR3 XX, as well as extended data logging, air jacks, bigger fuel tanks and a Convenience Pack that boasts an extra silencer, radiator fan and oil pre-heater.
The Generation 5 version of the high-revving, Suzuki-derived RPE motor is now controlled by drive-by-wire, which enables a softer rev limiter, improved throttle control plus the possibility of a pitlane speed limiter. In all, the SR3 XXR’s spec reads very much like the serious racer it presents itself as.
And so it proves on the track, Magneto strapping into the new car at Radical’s pre-season session around Silverstone circuit. This is a big track, but the SR3 XXR is more than up to the job, its 262bhp 1500cc powerplant revving with ferocious urgency up to 11,000rpm, yet delivering a surprisingly muscular surge of low-rev torque. The six-speed paddleshift swaps gears as quickly as your fingers ask for them, and the sensational AP discs enable ever-later braking as confidence builds. Meanwhile, the level of grip, stability and traction into, through and on the exit of corners is difficult to comprehend.
It’s an incredible machine, yet for all its serious racing spec the SR3 XXR remains unintimidating and approachable. That means in any hands it’s a wickedly quick, capable racer – and in the best, it’s otherworldly. It is not difficult to see why Radical has so little trouble selling so many cars – and with these improvements, there’s little doubt it will be selling even more. Look out Porsche…
Find out more about Radical Motorsport here.
