The Radical SR8 features the rarest V8 engine ever installed in a production car, offering impressive power and performance. Only a limited number of Radical SR8s exist, with very few being road-legal, making this V8 engine even more exclusive.
Developed by Radical Precision Engineering (RPE) from a Hayabusa motorcycle engine, the compact 2.7-liter V8 in the Radical SR8 is powerful enough for high-speed tracks.
The History It Holds
The V8 engine is crucial in automotive history, powering everything from prewar classics to modern hypercars. While V8 engines have been popular in many vehicles, such as the F-150 pickup, the rarest V8 in a production car is found in the Radical SR8. This 2.7L naturally aspirated V8 engine is fitted to one of the fastest road-legal sports cars, boasting significant stats.
The Radical SR8, available as a race or road-legal car, first set a Nürburgring lap time record in 2005 on road-legal Dunlop Direza tires. It’s estimated that only 123 Radical SR8s have been produced, with just a few meeting road-legal standards. The 2.7-liter V8 engine produces 431.3 horsepower and 236.5 lb-ft of torque while weighing only 231 lbs, contributing to the SR8’s impressive performance.
This small but powerful V8 engine, derived from the Hayabusa motorcycle, is unique to the Radical SR8. It combines two 4-cylinder Hayabusa engines to create the 2.7-liter V8.
The engine features a flat-plane crank, dry sump lubrication, a bespoke racing ECU, an eight ITB induction system, and a McLaren-sourced high-output alternator, making it a high-performance marvel.
The Radical SR8 is not an everyday vehicle but a specialist tool for track enthusiasts. Among the limited production, only a few are road-legal, making the V8 engine in these cars the rarest in production vehicles.
Developed by RPE, the engine’s lightweight and high output make the SR8 exceptionally quick, which is highlighted by its 2005 Nürburgring record.
In addition to the Radical SR8, other rare V8 engines have unique designs and limited production runs. For example, Tatra cars from the 1950s to the 1980s featured rare air-cooled V8 engines. The Tatra T87, with its aerodynamic design and 2.9-liter air-cooled V8, was notable for its futuristic look and impressive performance for its time.
Another example is the 1969 Pontiac Trans Am, a highly desirable muscle car with limited production. Among the 697 produced, one featured a unique Ram Air V engine, making it a true unicorn car. Although it wasn’t available for customers to spec and was a developmental project, it remains an important part of Pontiac’s history.
The Radical SR8’s V8 engine stands out as the rarest production car V8 developed from a motorcycle engine and designed for high performance. Its limited production and unique engineering make it a standout in the sports car segment.
