Radical->ke3734 has followed up on its promise to unveil two new models on October 31, 2014 with the debut of the SR8 RSX. The new high-performance race car->ke148 made its debut at the Circuit de Barcelona in Spain. Radical has high expectations for the SR8 RSX, labeling it as its most advanced, powerful, and aerodynamically developed open racing car.->ke148

Radical knows its market and it’s packaging the SR8 RSX with the belief that the car’s new technological->ke1701 features will go a long way in convincing its buyers in its niche market to pick it over the competition. It’s a task far easier said than done given its six-figure price tag. However, when the cost comes with a car that can push performance boundaries like no Radical before it could, there’s enough reason to justify spending that much money on a track-day toy.

The company also described the SR8 RSX as its new flagship model that offers an experience “closer to LMP competition”. With that kind of build-up, I’ll venture a guess that Radical is loving the attention being given to the SR8 RSX.

Click past the jump to read more about the Radical SR8 RSX.

Exterior

You can make a case for the SR8 RSX as the most stylish track day toy car Radical has ever come up with. The distinctive LMP look is still there with styling cues taken from the RXC closed-cockpit mode and the SR9 LMP2 model. The modular, composite bodywork is built around an FIA-compliant tubular-steel spaceframe chassis, giving it a more contemporary look that belies its true race car capabilities while also reducing servicing and repair costs.

The chassis also features an inboard pushrod suspension. This gives the SR8 RSX the needed versatility to for a more that allows a wide range of aerodynamic adjustments in the event it needs one.

Radical is also giving customers the choice of fitting the SR8 RSX with either 17- or 18-inch wheel options and matching them with 350-mm (13.77-inch) six-pot ventilated disc brakes to handle the pounding the car will get when it’s running to its maximum capabilities.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

The Radical SR8 RSX defines itself by what it is and not by what it isn’t. That’s mostly evident in the interior where luxury amenities were most kept out in favor of accessories that helps the race car serve its purpose.

The seven-inch screen with a brand new AIM MXG integrated data logger goes a long way in helping the SR8 RSX achieve its potential. The racer also gets integrated WiFi connectivity to make downloading performance data faster and a lot easier than normal methods.

FIA-certified bucket seats are also part of the interior configuration, specifically designed for the SR8 RSX and adjustable depending on the type of racing it is participating in.

Electrically-assisted power steering is another new feature of the SR8 RSX, making it the first time a Radical model was given this technology.->ke1701

Drivetrain

The SR8 RSX is powered by a 3.0-liter, V-8 engine that pumps out 440 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The engine mates to a new seven-speed paddle-shift transmission. In fact, the SR8 RSX is the only open race car at its price to have that kind of transmission, further driving home the point that it's an advanced and well-groomed race car that deserves our attention.

Radical didn’t reveal any performance details of the race car, but with a weight of just 1,895 pounds and a power-to-weight ratio of 558 horsepower per ton, the SR8 RSX could sprint to 60 mph in about three seconds to go with a top speed of 155 mph.

Drivetrain/Specifications

Prices

Pre-orders for the SR8 RSX have begun with the cars set to be delivered in the first quarter of 2015. The model has been priced at £109,950 ($175,800), not including VAT. A wide range of performance, racing, and personalization options are also expected to be offered.

Competition

Ariel Atom 3S

As far as track-day toy cars are concerned, it really doesn’t get any better than the Ariel Atom. At this point, we all know what the Atom is fully capable of. If it can turn Jeremy Clarkson’s face into a wind-blown mess, it has our vote in all-world awesomeness.

The exoskeleton-style race is unique in a lot of ways, not the least of which is its use of its own chassis as the body of the car. Don’t expect it to win any design awards either, but as far as pure, unadulterated speed and performance is concerned, the Atom and its Honda Civic Si-derived, 2.4-liter engine with a little over 200 horsepower is a pure speed merchant.

Then again, if you’re not comfortable with just 200 ponies, Ariel has an upgrade kit it could peddle to you. This kit comes with a supercharger that bumps up the number to a tidy 300 ponies. However, you can just get straight to the madness and opt for the Ariel Atom 3S, which comes with updated aesthetics and a turbocharged version of the same 2.4-liter Honda engine. That’s good for 365 horsepower, allowing it to cover the 0-to-60-mph sprint in just 2.8 seconds to go with a top speed of about 155 mph.

Conclusion

If you've been a fan of Radical for as long as we have, the debut of the flagship SR8 RSX marks a significant step up in quality for the British automaker. The car's technological advancements -- the addition of a seven-speed paddle-shift transmission and the electrically-assisted power steering -- will go a long way in reinventing Radical's status as a major player in the track day, toy car market. As if it wasn't a already a force to be reckoned with, the arrival of the SR8 RSX should make Radical a bigger force in its segment.