Jenson Button Begins Radford Lotus Type 62-2 Development On Track

Radford’s test driver and owner, Jenson Button, has begun final development testing of the Type 62-2 and will spend the coming months perfecting the car’s setup. Having finished the first test, the former Formula 1 world champion was glowing about the car.

“To finally drive the Type 62-2 for the first time was obviously a very special moment, the cockpit already feels like home!” said Button. “The car felt great, well balanced in high and low-speed corners, and ran faultlessly all day which is the perfect base for the months of setup tweaking that will follow for me.”

The final stage of development before the Radford Lotus Type 62-2 starts being delivered to owners, Button plays a crucial role in determining how the car will feel to the owners who drive it. Although this is his first chance to get behind the wheel, as a co-owner of the company, he has been involved in the design process since the very beginning.

Completed at Lotus’ test track facility at its global headquarters in Hethel, U.K., the test has been conducted to ensure that the car lives up to its roots and its namesake. Radford says it’s looking for a “superlative, engaging yet refined driving experience.”

On the track, the Type 62-2 John Player Special prototype managed to hit its electronically limited top speed of 186 mph, sprang from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 2.9 seconds, and reached 124 mph (200 km/h) from 0 in just 8.4 seconds.

The highest performance version of the car on offer, the Type 62-2 John Player Special is powered by a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 that features upgraded pistons, con-rods, and camshafts. All of which allows it to make 600 hp (608 PS/447 kW), delivered to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

“Seeing this modern Radford Lotus Type 62-2 in action on the Hethel track today has been really very special,” said Clive Chapman, Managing Director of Classic Team Lotus, who was present for the test. “The way it has taken the spirit and legacy of the original Type 62, combined it with the iconic JPS livery, and revived it for the modern-day sportscar enthusiast is an admirable achievement.”

Radford says that it will be ready to start delivering the Type 62-2 to customers in the second quarter of 2022. Upon receiving their car, owners will be invited to attend an exclusive one-day track event and will be able to get behind the wheel alongside Jenson Button, who will show drivers how to get the most out of their new car.