Radford Type 62-2 ready to “conquer” Pikes Peak

Radford Motors is heading to Pikes Peak International next month with a special edition Type 62-2.

The car has been nicknamed the ‘Pikes Peak Edition’ and has been heavily modified in the upcoming Type 62-2. Behind the wheel will be Tanner Foust, while the Radford Type 62-2 Pikes Peak Edition will compete in the exhibition class.

While one would expect a small company like Radford to come in with a road car with little change, in fact the opposite has been done. The Radford Type 62-2 Pikes Peak version is underpinned by a new carbon fiber monocoque, unlike the road car whose chassis is made of aluminum. It also has smaller front and rear frames, while the driver’s seat has been moved to the center of the cabin.

As for the engine, the supercharged 3.5 liter Lotus V6 engine found in the standard model has been retained. However, it gets an additional 95 hp in the Radford Type 62-2 Pikes Peak Edition, bringing the total to 700 hp. Power is transmitted to the rear axle through a Syrian gearbox. Radford says this is enough to reach 0-60mph (96km/h) in just 2.2 seconds.

Radford developed 70 new components through 3D printing and worked extensively to improve its aerodynamics. Among these are a new splitter, new side skirts and a large rear spoiler.