Lotus-Radford Type 62-2

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Lotus-Radford Type 62-2
Overview
ManufacturerLotus Cars, Harold Radford
Also calledRadford Type 62-2
Production2022–
Model years2022
DesignerJenson Button
Mark Stubbs
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Body style2-door coupé
LayoutRear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
PlatformLotus Exige
RelatedLotus 62
Powertrain
Engine3.5 L (213.6 cu in) Toyota 2GR-FE supercharged V6
Dimensions
Height1,133 mm (44.6 in)
Kerb weight1,000 kg (2,205 lb) (dry)

The Lotus-Radford Type 62-2 or simply Radford Type 62-2 is a sports car produced by British coachbuilding firm Harold Radford in partnership with Lotus Cars. Built as a homage to the original Lotus 62, production will be limited to 62 units. The car is available in three trim levels: "Classic", "Gold Leaf", and "John Player Special". Of the 62 planned units, twelve will be in the John Player Special trim, and another twelve will be in the Gold Leaf trim.[1][2] Based on the Lotus Exige, the Type 62-2 shares the chassis and engine, the former of which also has a new rear subframe.[3]

Background

Harold Radford is a British coachbuilding firm founded in 1948 in Kensington which started off by restyling numerous Bentleys and Rolls-Royces, producing cars such as the 1951 Bentley Countryman. The firm engaged in other endeavours such as building the fibreglass bodywork for the first Ford GT40 prototype, shooting brake conversions for Aston Martin DB5s, and customising Minis.[4] Defunct after the 1960s,[5] Formula One drivers' champion Jenson Button alongside designer Mark Stubbs, Ant Anstead, and lawyer Roger Behle revived the Radford marque in 2021, with the Type 62-2 being the company's first wholly in-house design. Radford also purchased the rights to use the John Player Special livery used on several Lotus Formula One cars in the 1970s.[6]

Overview

Exterior and interior

The original Lotus 62, with the Gold Leaf (a product of Imperial Tobacco) livery.

With the three trim levels come two different liveries: the Gold Leaf wears the same livery that appeared on the original Lotus 62, and the John Player Special trim is a tribute to the eponymous Formula One livery that the Lotus Formula One team bore in the 1970s. The Classic is the most aerodynamically basic trim, the Gold Leaf trim receives two small wickerbills at the rear of the car, and the John Player Special is the most aerodynamically advanced trim, with a larger front splitter and rear diffuser, combined with larger side intakes to help cool the engine. Radford, being a coachbuilding company, has also given customers the option of fitting features such as a wickerbill on trims that would not otherwise have them. Radford also offers a "Quali Edition" package on top of the Gold Leaf trim, which offers more aggressive aerodynamic features such as a larger front splitter and rear diffuser, carbon ceramic brakes, and carbon composite wheels. The Lotus badge on the front is also gold set against enamel. Significant use of carbon composites in the body panels alongside lightweight bonded and riveted aluminium bring the dry weight of the 62-2 to just under 1,000 kg (2,205 lb).[7][8][9][1][10]

The Lotus 72E of Emerson Fittipaldi wearing the iconic John Player Special livery.

The interior of the Type 62-2 is largely analogue; the dashboard is outfitted with a stopwatch and an analog clock in partnership with British watchmaker Bremont, various toggle switches also adorn it, and the steering wheel is devoid of any buttons. Digital connectivity is still provided by a build plaque (which contains the vehicle identifier unique to every chassis), which doubles as a magnetic phone holder/wireless charger, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Although the Type 62-2 was designed for trackability, there is still room for luggage behind the engine bay, albeit not much.[7][11][12][13]

Powertrain

The 62-2 borrows the Toyota 2GR-FE from the Exige, producing 436 PS (430 hp; 321 kW) in the Classic trim and 507 PS (500 hp; 373 kW) in the Gold Leaf trim via an ECU remap. The John Player Special and Gold Leaf trims receive upgraded camshafts, pistons, and connecting rods, with the former also receiving a larger supercharger. The enlarged supercharger gives the John Player Special trim an output of 608 PS (600 hp; 447 kW).[14][15]

The Classic is the sole trim level available with a six-speed manual transmission, the Gold Leaf and John Player Special trims both come with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a limited-slip differential. However, Radford still offers customisability and the option for Classic trim owners to upgrade to the dual-clutch transmission and more powerful Gold Leaf engine. Traction control and an anti-lock braking system are available with the dual-clutch transmission and can be turned off at the driver's discretion.[16][6][12][5]

Suspension and wheels

Coilover springs provide the Type 62-2's ride height control, with all four dampers being individually adjustable, along with a nose lift option to negotiate raised surfaces such as speed bumps. The Classic trim comes with 17-inch wheels at the front and 18-inch wheels at the rear, with the Gold Leaf and John Player Special trims receiving 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels by Dymag. The John Player Special also has the option of carbon fibre wheels like the Quali Edition package for the Gold Leaf, along with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. It also receives AP calipers and 360 mm (14.2 in) carbon ceramic rotors. The Gold Leaf and Classic trims come with 4-piston AP calipers and iron rotors.[3][17][15]

References

  1. ^ a b Perkins, Chris (13 August 2021). "The Radford Type 62-2 Quail Edition Gets More Carbon and Gorgeous Bronze Wheels". Road & Track. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  2. ^ Rix, Jack (9 September 2021). "The Radford Type 62-2 JPS is all kinds of special". Top Gear. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b Staff (24 June 2022). "Radford Lotus Type 62/2 makes Goodwood FoS debut". evo. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  4. ^ Potts, Greg (18 March 2021). "Classic British coachbuilder Radford has returned". Top Gear. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  5. ^ a b Moldrich, Curtis (9 December 2021). "Radford's master plan: electric, hybrid, performance and luxury". car. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  6. ^ a b Houlihan, Jack (10 August 2021). "Radford reveals coachbuilt Lotus Type 62-2". Motor. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  7. ^ a b Rix, Jack (4 January 2022). "12 reasons the Radford Type 62-2 is superb". Top Gear. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  8. ^ Rix, Jack (9 September 2021). "The Radford Type 62-2 JPS is all kinds of special". Top Gear. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  9. ^ Snelgar, Mikey (24 September 2021). "Exploring the new Radford Lotus Type 62-2 with Jenson Button and Ant Anstead". Classic Driver. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  10. ^ Dobie, Stephen (8 August 2021). "The Radford Type 62-2 is a Lotus-honed 600bhp retro supercar". Top Gear. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  11. ^ "The Radford Lotus Type 62-2 at H.R. Owen". H.R. Owen. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  12. ^ a b Warrick, Jack (11 November 2021). "Radford Type 62-2 completes track testing phase". Autocar. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  13. ^ Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (9 August 2021). "Jenson Button-backed Radford reveals Lotus Type 62-inspired sports car". MotorAuthority. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  14. ^ Lackey, Daniel H. (10 May 2022). "Joining the Radford Lotus 62/2 on its first shakedown around Los Angeles". Classic Driver. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  15. ^ a b Perez, Jeff (7 August 2021). "Lotus Type 62-2 Coachbuilt By Radford Revealed: Gorgeous Looks, 600 HP". motor1. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  16. ^ Smith, Fred (8 August 2021). "The Radford Type 62-2 Is a Modern Take on a Sixties Folk Hero". Road & Track. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  17. ^ Crooks, Alastair (10 June 2022). "Radford Type 62-2 will make dynamic debut at Goodwood". Auto Express. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
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