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]