Michael Satterfield
The JPS car will make its first official public debut next week at Goodwood Revival. It is the most extreme version of the world’s first modern Radford – and the third and final version of the car to be announced. It sits alongside the ‘Classic’ version, providing subtle design cues to the original Type 62 Lotus car, and a ‘Gold Leaf’ version, which pays homage to the race car’s iconic Gold Leaf livery.
The JPS Type 62-2 wears a modern twist on the iconic John Player Special livery, which is one of the most famous and significant racing car liveries ever to grace a Formula 1 car. Its legendary black and gold color scheme is most instantly recognizable from the bodywork of the Lotus Type 72D which Emerson Fittipaldi raced to five victories and championship victories during the 1972 Formula 1 season. The livery was present on Lotus Formula 1 cars until 1986 and the Lotus 98T was driven by the legendary Ayrton Senna, it epitomized the glamour era of motor racing in the 1970s.
The JPS Type 62-2 offers owners several key enhancements over the Classic and Gold Leaf cars. The JPS is lighter, faster, and more focussed than the Gold Leaf car – and is closer to a race car than a road car. It produces an intoxicating 600bhp from a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine. This is possible thanks to upgraded pistons, con-rods, camshafts, calibration, and a larger, upgraded supercharger.
Also upgraded from the Gold Leaf car are the brakes, the JPS car comes with AP Monobloc calipers and fully carbon-ceramic brake rotors, which are 360mm in diameter. These are housed within larger 18-inch front and 19-inch Dymag carbon composite wheels – which lower the unsprung mass, and improve the nimble handling characteristics of the car, yet further. The composite wheels are shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
Production of the Radford Type 62-2 begins in late 2021, with the first deliveries being made in 2022.
