Performance Review: Radical SR3 1.5 16V - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Radical SR3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Radical SR3 1.5 16V is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Radical SR3 has a 1500cc Naturally Aspirated 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, - 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 465 kgs (1025 lbs) this makes the Radical SR3 1.5 16V in the same weight category as the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Radical SR3 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 1500cc 16V St4 engine produces 252 bhp (187 kW) @ 0 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 158 lb-ft (214.2 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (170 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 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (563.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Radical SR3.

The Radical SR3 has a Power to weight ratio of 541.9 bhp per ton and 339.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 SR3 competing with the 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (563.8 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Pagani Zonda Cinque 7.3L (560.3 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 339.7 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 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged (363.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (361.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.9 secs, this made the Radical SR3 1.5 16V as fast as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs). This Radical SR3 1.5 16V is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SR3 and the 1993 TVR Chimaera 4.5

When talking about the performance of the Radical SR3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.36 secs @ 132.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 TVR Chimaera 4.5 (10.33 secs), the 2012 Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 (10.33 secs), and the 2017 BMW 4 Series M4 Coupe F82 (10.33 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Radical SR3 1.5 16V has a maximum speed of 147mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 SR3 equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Radical SR3 1.5 16V then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), or the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (158 mph).

Related Links:

2001 SR3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Radical

Car Comparison