Performance Review: Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Radical SR3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Radical SR3 has a 1999cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The SR3 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the SR3's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 795 kgs (1752 lbs) this makes the Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2011 KTM X-Bow R 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Radical SR3 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 1999cc 16V St4 engine produces 296 bhp (220 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 254 lb-ft (344.3 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Radical SR3 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Callaway C16 (396.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Radical SR3.

The Radical SR3 has a Power to weight ratio of 372.3 bhp per ton and 319.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 SR3 competing with the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Callaway C16 (396.9 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Mercedes CLK GTR 6.9 V12 (396.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Radical SR3 generating around 319.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2000 Caterham 7 Superlight R500 (344.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2021 Ferrari 812 Competizione 6.5L V12 (342.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.6 secs, this made the Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.50 secs) the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (3.50 secs) the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (3.50 secs) the or the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 (3.50 secs). This Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (3.60 secs) the 2020 Iso Rivolta GTZ 6.2 V8 Supercharged (3.60 secs) the 2020 Audi TT RS 2.0 Turbo (3.60 secs) the and the 2019 BMW X6 M Competition 4.4 V8 Turbo F85 (3.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SR3 and the 1999 Aston-Martin DB7 Vantage

When talking about the performance of the Radical SR3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.52 secs @ 118.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Aston-Martin DB7 Vantage (11.46 secs), the 2013 Mercedes CLA 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo (11.46 secs), and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 (11.47 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 161mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 SR3 equals the 2012 Porsche Boxster S PDK (172 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2011 Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2012 Porsche Boxster S PDK (172 mph), the 2011 Lotus Evora S IPS 3.5 V8 (172 mph), or the 2009 Porsche Cayman S 3.4 (172 mph).

Related Links:

2011 SR3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Radical

Car Comparison