Radical RXC supercar (2013) first picture

Radical is entering the supercar game with this: the Radical Xtreme Coupe, or RXC. The Le Mans racing car-inspired machine will go on sale in summer 2013 in either road-legal or track-only guises,, costing just over £100,000.

Like all Radicals, the RXC trades on lightness. Its steel tubeframe chassis with composite panels helps achieve a kerbweight of 900kg. Powered by a 380bhp, 320lb ft 3.7-litre Ford V6, the RXC will charge to 60mph in a claimed 2.8sec, and reach 175mph. The power-to-weight ratio of the RXC is an insane 422bhp/ton. That's in the same ballpark as the 691bhp, £250,000 Lamborghini Aventador.

The RXC's transmission is a bespoke seven-speed Quaife paddle-shift unit, which automatically blips the throttle on downshifts to smooth out changes.

It's teeming with track-ready tech. The LMP1-style body creates 900kg of downforce at 175mph, says Radical, thanks in part to the large carbon bi-plane rear wing. Carbon ceramic brakes are an option to replace the standard steel discs, and there's adjustable double wishbone pushrod suspension front and rear.

You get a factory-fit FIA-spec racing bucket seat, and have a choice of fuel tanks: either a 100-litre tank in the street-legal car, or an FIA-certified race fuel cell in the track-only RXC Race.

It's not actually as pared back as you'd first think. Electric power steering and electrically adjustable heated mirrors are standard, as is air-con and a heated windscreen. The pedalbox and steering wheel are also fully adjustable to suit driver stature, and you get gullwing doors for easier access.

The Radical RXC Race will make its world debut at the 2013 Autosport International show at the NEC, Birmingham on Thursday 10 January. Road-spec cars will follow in summer 2013, with both models starting at £107,400.

By Ollie Kew