Radford Motors, a boutique car builder renowned for its homage to the 1969 Lotus Type 62, is all set to test its prowess in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 25. Its contender, a significantly modified version of the Lotus-based Type 62-2, aims to win the Exhibition Class crown.

Tagged as the ‘Pikes Peak Edition’, this one-off beast diverges from the conventional road version with striking modifications. It ditches the aluminium chassis of the road car for a new full carbon composite monocoque bolted to new subframes, which reduces the weight while augmenting the rigidity. The vehicle also comes with enhanced bodywork, a massive rear wing, new suspension geometry, and a revamped cooling system.
The engine is a revamp of the supercharged 3.5-liter Toyota V6, enhanced by Jubu Performance to deliver around 710 horsepower, a significant leap from the standard 600 hp. Power is directed to the rear wheels via a sequential transmission. Impressively, the Pikes Peak Edition is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just under 2.2 seconds and boasts a top speed of 160 mph. These figures are facilitated by a claimed dry vehicle weight of just 1,898 pounds.

This feat of engineering showcases Radford’s commitment to innovation and performance, which is further evidenced by the 70 new 3D-printed components featured on the vehicle. These new parts, including a massive front splitter, new side skirts and wheel arches, ...