If Lotus and engine power have not gotten your attention yet, do realize that we are talking about a road-legal car designed on the back of a vintage racecar to performance specs impressive by today's standards. So, what are we actually talking about? Who or what is this beast?
The car pictured above is a Radford Type 62-2, built by Lotus and Jenson Button, to replicate the infamous 1969 Lotus Type 62 racer with modern features and technology. Highly limited and truly spectacular, we know that anything from Lotus is sure to please. Lotus is infamous for making rapid little machines, and their newest collaboration is true to the Lotus heritage.
So, let's look at this modern iteration of an honored racer and fantasize about owning this gorgeous machine.
Vintage Version Nothing Compared to This Contemporary Variant
While the newest Radford is a modern car in every regard, it does not look like a typical modern car at all, and there is a good reason for that.
In all honesty, this car is not designed to represent the cutting edge of the modern car manufacturing scene but rather it is meant to honor the old 1969 Lotus Type 62 racecar, replicating it in a modern package. While there were only a few Type 62s ever built they are incredibly significant nonetheless, as the first one won its first-ever race in 1969 and received a podium place at Tourist Trophy in Oulton Park, also in 1969. The actual platform of the Type 62 was a multi-tubular space frame powered by a 2.0-Liter inline-four engine that produced 240 HP and only weighed 1,250 lbs. It also featured a 5-speed ZF transmission, 12in Girling disc brakes, double wishbone, and coil spring suspension.
Potent and Powerful: Modern Racers Weapon
While the '69 Lotus Type 62 was a performance weapon in its own right, the modern iteration by Radford takes performance to all new heights.
The design is a collaboration between the recently revived British coachmaker Radford, headed off by famous F1 racer Jenson Button, and Lotus. Radford is specialized in finetuning a variety of premium vehicles such as Rolls Royce, Bentleys, and Aston Martins. This modern tribute to the vintage racer emphasizes performance just like the old one but houses a radically different powertrain with an even greater level of performance, in three different models Type 62-2 Classic, Type 62-2 Gold Leaf, and Type 62-2 John Player Special. There are three different engine variations to choose from: a supercharged 3.5-Liter V6 that comes in two different tunes, producing 430 HP and 500 HP, and a 600 HP engine, whose specs are unknown, featured in the John Player Special Type 62-2. The power is sent to the rear wheels only and mitigated through either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch. All Type 62-2 will feature an electronically locking differential.
The actual chassis is founded on the Lotus Evora with a new subframe. The chassis is made of bonded and riveted aluminum frame, a successful Lotus manufacturing process, with the body panels made of a carbon composite material to provide strength while keeping weight to a minimum. Radford claims that the car will weigh just over 2,200 pounds, and consequently, make for an incredibly fast car given its immense power and little weight. All models will be running a staggered wheel setup with 17in and 18in for the base model and, 18in and 19in for the Gold Leaf model. In terms of handling and suspension, there have been very few things officially confirmed but early suspicions estimate that the front end will feature double-wishbone suspension with adjustable coil-overs and 4-piston AP Racing brakes, to ensure that the driver can enjoy every last bit of power safely.
Overall, while the vision and platform of the new Type 62 remain similar to the vintage one, the execution and performance levels will truly exceed the 1969 Type 62.
Customizability Only Limited By Client Creativity
Like most cars of this caliber, there will be limited production but almost endless customizability options to make each car fully customized to the owner's wishes.
True to its namesake, there will be only 62 Radford Type 62-2 created, with each unique to its owner. It is important to note that there is still quite a lot of information that remains unknown about this car, making it impossible to give a comprehensive list of customizability options. There have been no interior pictures released yet but assume that the interior will be very similar to modern Lotuses. Pricing is also another significant piece of information that remains unknown, but that will depend heavily on the customer's choice of drivetrain and custom features. However, as these cars will be coach-built, the price tag will be pretty expensive by all standards.
Keep your eyes peeled as more information will be released in the coming months, with the first models set to appear in 2022.
Sources: HotCars, MotorTrend, Evo and Autoweek