What is it?
A 300hp track weapon that can be driven on the road. In fact, that's probably not fair as Radical has produced road legal track cars before, but the likes of the SR8 were track focused cars that just happened to have a licence plate and an MOT. With suspension that dislodged fillings at the first sign of an uneven road surface, these road additions were little more than talking points in the paddock. The SR3 SL is different as it has been specifically set up to work as well on the road as it does on the track. You're unlikely to use it for dropping the kids off at school, but a quick blast along your favourite B-road or actually driving it to and from the track is now possible.
Why's it here? Frankfurt is actually only the second motor show that Radical has attended, so it's showing off the production ready SR3 SL. Based on the track-focused SR3, the SL model has more compliant suspension and wheels and tyres better suited to the highways and byways than the race-ready car's track items.
Show stopper or floor filler? Amongst a show full of seven-figure supercars, concepts that will make your mouth water and first viewings of important production models, a wholly impractical two-seater with a pricetag verging on £70,000 shouldn't really attract that much attention. But when that car boasts 300bhp, an increase of 53bhp on the Focus ST engine it uses, 340lb.ft of torque and a 0-62mph time of three seconds, a crowd should be expected.
Paul Healy - 15 Sep 2011