New cars
hit the racing tracks every year, but none has buyers more excited than Radical SR10. Unlike other race cars, like the Lamborghini Huracan STO, and McLaren 765LT, the off-the-shelf SR10 is one of the few track-only cars whose price, level of performance and specs have got the motoring world buzzing. Is it a potential F1 supercar
?Here is everything you need to know about this surprisingly affordable track-only car.
Radical SR10: A track-only supercar on a budget
You can expect more units of the SR10 in the US than in England, where Radical is based. Nearly two-thirds of its production finds its way to this side of the pond, with the company reckoning there are about 1,000 of its cars in the U.S.
The company's latest offering, the Radical SR10, features exponentially more power compared to its previous car editions. Fitted with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from Ford, the SR10 clocks a whopping 425 hp of output and 380 lb-ft of torque.
This was a marked improvement from the previous Radical topper, the SR8, which sported a hand-built V8 engine crafted by combining two Suzuki 1.3-liter engines on a single crankshaft. The Ford engine on the SR10 easily outperforms the combination of two Suzuki engines, but is much cheaper to buy and run. Though Radical has not released any specifics on pricing, the new SR10 will likely run close to the previous model at around $161,900.
Does the Radical SR10 measure up to the expectations of a track-only supercar?
As reported by Car and Driver
, the SR10 was taken to task on the 2.9-mile Portimão Circuit in Portugal to ascertain Radical's claims that it could hit 60 mph in just 2.4 seconds and other aspects of performance. On the track were other Radical cars piloted by experienced racers to serve as reference points. Several things stand out about the Radical SR10 under test. First is the engine borrowed from Ford, which provides speed rather than character. As the vehicle speeds up, the sound of the revving engine is bolstered by a soundtrack, which becomes louder as it approaches the 7,000-rpm redline. But since engine has enough muscle, it is not likely to lose acceleration even on short-shifting.
Half a lap later and the SR10's Hankook is up to temperature. The warm tires deliver a grip that begs comparison with Velcro. People accustomed to lapping in conventional street cars will need to adjust mentally to this new grip feel.
MORE: 3 Reliable Sports Cars From the Past Few Years
No roof, no doors for the SR10
Like most race cars, the Radical SR10 comes without a roof and doors. Drivers simply hop in from the side, land on the seat, and slide under the hood to a near-sleeping position. The slightly raised steering column needs some force to operate, especially at high speeds that increase the downforce. Who needs a gym membership when the effort required to handle the non-assisted steering wheel would be enough to develop muscles on your arms.
When it comes to braking, ABS is conspicuously missing. However, Radical fixed a halo-style impact protection frame like the one seen on F1 cars. The halo runs round the cabin, encircling the driver. You may experience problems getting in and out of the car until you get used to the halo frame.
Insure your Radical with Jerry
The Radical SR10 comes at a bargain, and is relatively cheaper compared to other track-only cars. If you get your hands on this amazing supercar, be sure to invest in the right insurance. Finding the best insurance deal for your car can be quite a challenge—but that's where Jerry
comes into the picture. Jerry is a free-to-download app that compares rates from top insurance providers to enable you to choose the best rates. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.
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