What's the news?

Radical Sportscars has given the SR3 RS a new engine in the form of the RPE 1500 Generation-3 unit, in a bid to reduce the cost of racing and its effects on the environment. All that at the expense of performance? Well, no. According to Radical, the new engine delivers equal levels of performance. This lighter, short stroke engine gets an increased bore size, longer inlet trumpets, changed camshaft specifications, reduced weight and a bigger air box to compensate for the changes so as to keep the performance as good as its predecessor's. In fact, it's the same red-coloured air box that distinguishes this engine from earlier versions.

The engine was tested during the whole of 2013, with appearances made in non-championship races. It was found that this new unit has lower CO₂ emissions (both from the manufacturing process and actually running), reduced high-frequency vibrations and better reliability. Radical has increased the factory warranty from 40- to 45 hours too.

Anything else?

Testing this engine, Radical's chief driver James Abbott even matched his previous times from SR3 Challenge races, and that should put the apprehension about the RPE 1500 Generation-3's performance to rest. Also, this engine will be the only unit eligible in various championships from 2016, with the previous two generations of the engine allowed to race until the end of 2015.