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2010 Rapier SL-C Superlite Coupe Preview

 
12 6,502 views Apr 1, 2010
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2010 Rapier SL-C Superlite Coupe

HI-RES GALLERY: 2010 Rapier SL-C Superlite Coupe

Based out of Boston, Massachusetts, Rapier Automotive has been preparing its mid-engine supercar for the past five years and is now taking orders. Almost completely hand-built, the Rapier Superlight Coupe, or SL-C for short, is completely customizable, offering customers several different powerplant, color and interior options.

Customers can choose from three Chevrolet-derived engine choices, all of which can be transplanted underneath a clamshell hood behind the passenger compartment. These include a base 6.2-liter LS3 V-8 with 480 horsepower, a 7.0-liter LS7 V-8 with 505 horsepower and a range-topping supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 V-8 with 638 horsepower. This latter engine is the same unit from the Corvette ZR1 supercar, incidentally.

Power is sent rearward via a six-speed Ricardo manual transmission, and with a kerb weight of just 2,375 pounds, the Rapier SL-C Superlite will rock to 62 mph from rest in less than 3.0 seconds and go all the way to a top speed of 222 mph.

The car utilizes an all-aluminum, tig welded monocoque chassis and is finished with composite body panels that gives the car a race look and feel. To slow the car back to legal speeds, the SL-C uses 13-inch rotors in the front and 11.8-inch rotors in the back, both of which are bit by six-piston calipers.

Pricing starts at $179,000 and test drives can be arranged through the company’s headquarters in Boston.

[Rapier Automotive]





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Comments (12)

  1. By Saabaru5 Posted: 4/1/2010 10:00am PDT

    Who needs a mid engine Corvette?? I may never afford one of these, but I am really happy to see this, and right here in our own backyard. If Chevy were to ever produce a mid engine version of the Corvette, it could likely be close to this price point anyway. I like this idea much better - it gives Chevy more reason not to produce their potential version, and it gives the Corvette loyalists a reason to quit crying. All in a much cooler form than Chevy could likely offer.
     
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  2. fb_100000275684479 avatar Michael Escobar Posted: 4/1/2010 3:42pm PDT

    A lot of Enzo in the doors, a bit of Saleen S7 in the front, and an overall profile similar to a Group-C era racer? Me likey!
    Wonder how much faster it would go without that surfboard sized wing on the back? That must be a lot of drag!
     
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  3. By  Malcolm Posted: 4/1/2010 4:53pm PDT

    Looks like a Factory Five GTM supercar kit!
     
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  4. By Albecontent Posted: 4/1/2010 5:14pm PDT

    Again, another post on the car blogs about this company. This Rapier company makes no mention of Race Car Replicas. RCR makes an SL-C Superlite Kit, that they sell for 43995 dollars. That car comes as a roller with out engine or transmission. These people want $130000 for finishing costs? That is just ridiculous. On their website they make no reference to RCR. I just dont like people claiming designing something when another company clear did. this car has been on RCR website for at least a year. The cars look exactly the same. I hope RCR is getting paid out of the deal.
    I don't work for RCR, I just like the kit car industry as a whole, now that everyone has gotten away from passing things on VW bugs, and shaddy fiberglass work.
     
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  5. By Viknesh Posted: 4/2/2010 5:23pm PDT

    Hi Albecontent - here is our post on Race Car Replicas' Superlite Coupe. (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1031511_race-car-replicas-offers-superlight-coupe-kit-car). As you will notice, there are enough subtle differences to the Rapier car for the company to call it their own. There are also a host of components beneath the shell that are unique to the Rapier.
     
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  6. By  Elmo Posted: 4/2/2010 9:32pm PDT

    Yeah, um, Viknesh, there's not that many differences between this and the RCR kit. All I see is the headlights, which from what I see on the kit is that's not even original. You can barely see the cutouts for the headlights, but they look exactly the same. Even if they were different, Rapier STILL needs to give credit where credit is due. The drivetrain, also, isn't going to differentiate the 2 cars. Hence the fact that Hennessey gives credit to Lotus for the chassis and design of their Venom GT even though it's powered by a non-Lotus engineered engine. Rapier screwed up by taking credit for this car.
     
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  7. By  Elmo Posted: 4/6/2010 2:23am PDT

    Wow, you'd think if someone was an editor (one who posts the majority of the articles) on an automotive website that they would do a little research.
    I just found a VERY clear photo of the RCR Superlite Coupe that shows you that Rapier is indefinitely ripping off RCR's design without giving credit to them...
    http://www.race-car-replicas.com/images/rcr_superlite.jpg
     
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  8. By  Rapier Automotive Posted: 4/6/2010 6:31pm PDT

    Hi and thanks for all of the comments. Viknesh, the article is great and we thank you for the support.
    Just for clarification, the Rapier SL-C Superlight is built by RCR in-house, so no one is ripping them off, or not giving them credit. They are fully responsible for helping to bring the Rapier to life and we have the worldwide rights to market and distribute the Rapier. I have been working with the designer and owner for years so may I please recommend that you do your research before you start pointing fingers or calling others thieves.
    The response has been overwhelming since the car's launch last month and we have been ecstatic with the feedback. There is no shortage of interest and of the 200,000 people that passed though the doors at Detroit and Boston Autorama, the strong majority felt it was a lot of car for the money. So many so that we've been taking a good number of deposits for a car only a few weeks old.
     
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  9. By  Rapier Automotive Posted: 4/6/2010 6:32pm PDT

    We had launched the Rapier SL-C 'Superlight Coupe' at the 'Autorama/World of Wheels' Detroit in February and Boston two weeks ago. Then we were off to West Palm Beach last week for the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Southern Florida. We will also be at the remaining 2010 Barrett-Jackson auctions (Orange Country CA, Las Vegas, Scottsdale) as well as miscellaneous shows throughout the year. Please let us know if you are nearby and want to come by one of the shows and see the Rapier in person. And we are very close to inking a deal with a major franchise so with any luck we should have several cars available across the country in three to four months. In the meantime, if you end up traveling to Boston for a demo/test drive, we are running a promotion and will refund your entire travel costs if you make a purchase/put down a deposit. We currently have the Rapier in Fuego Vermelho [Red] and a new one in Diabo Preto [Black]. The Diabo Preto Rapier also features the Carbon Fiber option that includes most of the interior done in CF, as well as the massive rear wing and front down-spoiler. [To note, the Carbon Fiber option is no additional cost over the hand-stitched suede leather.
     
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  10. By  Rapier Automotive Posted: 4/6/2010 6:33pm PDT

    Just let us know at time of ordering.] We have full & partial financing available and have partnered with others to provide quick and painless registration, insurance and other performance services for your new Rapier.We have been very happy with the reaction to our pricing... buyers feel that they are getting a lot of car for the money. We remind those in doubt... this is truly a custom, hand-built supercar. We start by taking the drivers measurements and build the Superlight around those. Floor level, ceiling clearance, steeling position, pedal position, even the seat size... the entire car is built to the owner. And speaking of which, the Rapier takes over 1400 hours to build (35 weeks/9 months)! That's just the labor involved; add-in between $8,000-30,000 for your engine choice/harness/computer (LS-376, LS-7 or LS-9 Supercharged), $15,000 for the Ricardo GT Transmission... do the math using even basic shop rates and you'll see the incredible value that this car represents.
     
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  11. By  Rapier Automotive Posted: 4/6/2010 6:34pm PDT

    And almost anyone can work on & maintain the Rapier keeping your service expense and cost of ownership lower than almost any other Supercar in it's class. Of course there is a profit margin, for advertising, overhead, ability to keep the lights on and the ability to fund the design on the next car. But we're in this for the long haul. The quality, fit and finish are second to none... pictures just do not do it justice and that's why we aim to have as many of you see it in person as possible. The minute you see the car; the aluminum monocoque chassis, the CNC machined suspension parts, the custom pushrod Indy-Style longitudinal rear suspension, 3-stage, 10 coat Paint System... (even the few third party components like the Aeromotive 1000 Fuel System, CCW Wheels and Q1 Shocks), you know you are looking at something very special and of extreme quality.
     
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  12. By  Rapier Automotive Posted: 4/6/2010 6:35pm PDT

    I've posted a few photos of the engine bay that show the quality of some of these components and we'll have a free DVD available soon. Of course I'm going to push the Rapier and plug it, but it's all based on feedback we've gotten from others at the shows so far.
    But you can't please everyone and we know that.. and we look forward to criticism as it only helps us to improve our cars and our customer service. We're not just re-badging RCR's cars... far from it. We offer a bumper to bumper 1-year warranty, one point of contact during your build with bi-weekly photo and video updates and ability to grow with the car. The Rapier is just the first of several cars... a Roadster version is being wrapped up for a summer launch and a second car (in the $300,000 range) is in the works as well. What we learn from the Rapier we will put into place with the new model from the start. Please get in touch anytime via the website and be sure to sign-up for our newsletter so we can let you know when we are coming to a town near you. We are going to sponsor a few track days this summer and hope to get you behind the wheel of a Rapier in the every near future. Only then can one really provide honest feedback that's fair and unbiased.
    Billy Mead - Client Relations/Rapier Automotive
     
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