Radford 62-2 John Player Special gets 485kW

Reborn British coachbuilder Radford has revealed the fastest version of its latest Radford Type 62-2 and announced that the most extreme version of its reimagined 1969 Lotus Type 62 racer gets big aero tweaks and as much as 484kW of power.

Announcing that just 12 out of the 62 cars it plans to construct will be built to Radford Type 62-2 John Player Special specification, the company said the flagship Lotus Evora-based supercar will be equipped with an upgraded Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine.

Ensuring it musters its mighty 485kW, up from the most basic car's 321kW, the JPS gets upgraded pistons, stronger con-rods, more aggressive camshafts and a larger supercharger.

To keep up with the power delivery, the most powerful Radford swaps out its six-speed manual for a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

To help improve stability and performance on track, the wildest member of the 62-2 family gets a larger front splitter, revised air intakes and a larger rear diffuser.

Externally, the 62-2 John Player Special wears the famous tobacco sponsor livery that first appeared on the Lotus Type 72D Formula 1 car that Emerson Fittipaldi drove to 1972 world championship victory.

A set of carbon composite wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes help reduce weight and improve performance on track.

Commenting on his new creation, co-founder of the reborn Radford operation, Jenson Button, said: “The John Player Special Type 62-2 is the most extreme Type 62-2 that money can buy.

“It is low, sleek and powerful and sports one of the most iconic racing liveries ever created – one of the liveries that the heroes of Formula 1 such as Emerson Fittipaldi and Ayrton Senna used to race with, in the cars that made me want to be a driver."