New Radical Rapture – race car for the road

Power and top speed are not figures the Rapture chases. Instead, it generates its performance through its lightweight construction and aerodynamic efficiency. To that end, it has a 2.3-litre Ford EcoBoost engine that has been worked on by in-house Radical Performance Engines. Revised turbo architecture and induction result in 350bhp and 433Nm (320lb ft) of torque. Thanks to its 765kg weight, claimed performance figures include a 0-60mph sprint of 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 165mph.

Structurally, the Rapture benefits from 20 years’ experience in building race and high-performance road cars, the firm having now built over 2,200 units. At its heart is a spaceframe structure complete with an FIA approved crash structure. It’s clothed in a composite body with a bi-plane rear wing and double-tunnel diffuser. It’s not trying to blend in with the traffic…

Previous road-going Radicals include the SR3 SL and RXC Coupé, and the Rapture uses a developed version of the company’s Nik-link suspension system from those cars. It also has adjustable dampers that can be tweaked to make it more suitable for its dual road and track day roles. And on the subject of track days, Radical has designed the car to be easily checked and maintained trackside. The interior, such as it is, features moulded seats, a steering wheel full of buttons and not a lot else.

The list price is £89,500 ex. VAT, and the firm has already taken pre-orders, and the first deliveries will take place next month.

Photography by James Lynch.