2010 Rapier SL-C
Mar 26, 2010 | 10:12 AM
#22
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,059
From: NY
I like the cab forward design, but that wing is clown-like. It's funny how the shape is so similar to an Enzo's, yet the Enzo creates tremendous downforce without a wing, whereas they had to try for title of world's largest. Wind tunnel anyone?
Still, I like the car, and my hat is off to anyone who even attempts to build a supercar, or start a car company. The fact that this is a beautiful car that screams is just a plus.
Still, I like the car, and my hat is off to anyone who even attempts to build a supercar, or start a car company. The fact that this is a beautiful car that screams is just a plus.
Mar 26, 2010 | 10:54 AM
#23
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,666
From: Austin, TX
Something's off with the specs. 222mph from 500HP doesn't compute. There are plenty of 500HP cars in the world, and that power buys you somewhere in the region of 200 mph (plus or minus, depending on aero and drivetrain losses - so M5 is a little higher, 997.2 Turbo a little lower). There are a few cars that get to the neighborhood of 215-220 mph, and not one of them does this with less than 600HP. Given that the relationship between power and speed is a cube, a 10% speed bump implies about 33% slipperier aero than any of the big names (with their big wind tunnels), with that ginormous wing.
The acceleration numbers seem a little optimistic for that power level, although it is very light.
The acceleration numbers seem a little optimistic for that power level, although it is very light.
Mar 26, 2010 | 11:37 AM
#24
Teamspeed's Howitzer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,273
Something's off with the specs. 222mph from 500HP doesn't compute. There are plenty of 500HP cars in the world, and that power buys you somewhere in the region of 200 mph (plus or minus, depending on aero and drivetrain losses - so M5 is a little higher, 997.2 Turbo a little lower). There are a few cars that get to the neighborhood of 215-220 mph, and not one of them does this with less than 600HP. Given that the relationship between power and speed is a cube, a 10% speed bump implies about 33% slipperier aero than any of the big names (with their big wind tunnels), with that ginormous wing.
The acceleration numbers seem a little optimistic for that power level, although it is very light.
The acceleration numbers seem a little optimistic for that power level, although it is very light.
They need to produce a video documentary of the car achieving those numbres.
Mar 27, 2010 | 02:34 AM
#28
Teamspeed Rookie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3
From: Boston
Rapier Automotive Hey Guys (& Gals),
Just wanted to say thanks for all of the comments, good, bad and neutral.
We've come a long way, but still have a long way to go and every thing you say gets read and every word is taken to heart... everything. The response has been overwhelming since the car's launch last month and we have been really pleased with the feedback. And where we missed the mark, we learn a great deal for next time. There is no shortage of interest and of the 200,000 people that passed though the doors at Detroit and Boston Autorama, the majority felt it was a lot of car for the money.
We had launched the Rapier SL-C 'Superlight Coupe' at the 'Autorama/World of Wheels' Detroit in February and Boston two weeks ago. We are off to West Palm Beach next week for the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Southern Florida. Please let me know if you are nearby and want to come by the show (April 1-3) and see the Rapier in person. 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. 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 travelling 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. Just let us know at time of ordering.] We have full & partial financing available and have partnered with others to provide insurance and other performance services for your new Rapier.
We too have been very happy with the reaction to our pricing... again the majority 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 and you'll see the incredible value that this car represents. 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 offer 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. 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. As we offer updates and upgrades they will be made available to our growing customer base. With every boutique super-car manufacturer on there you are paying for the marquee, exclusivity, performance and R/D.
The Rapier is just the first of several cars... a Roadster version is in the works 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. And look for a new interior starting with the very next car. The one shown on Chassis #1 is very well done as has been well received, (it's hand stitched suede and leather and/or carbon fiber, the forthcoming interior is hands down far more contemporary. At the two past shows we had very positive comments about the current interior but I know it can be vastly improved.
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. And we'll work on the 'cheesy comments' for sure...
Best,
Billy Mead
President/CEO
Just wanted to say thanks for all of the comments, good, bad and neutral.
We've come a long way, but still have a long way to go and every thing you say gets read and every word is taken to heart... everything. The response has been overwhelming since the car's launch last month and we have been really pleased with the feedback. And where we missed the mark, we learn a great deal for next time. There is no shortage of interest and of the 200,000 people that passed though the doors at Detroit and Boston Autorama, the majority felt it was a lot of car for the money.
We had launched the Rapier SL-C 'Superlight Coupe' at the 'Autorama/World of Wheels' Detroit in February and Boston two weeks ago. We are off to West Palm Beach next week for the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Southern Florida. Please let me know if you are nearby and want to come by the show (April 1-3) and see the Rapier in person. 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. 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 travelling 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. Just let us know at time of ordering.] We have full & partial financing available and have partnered with others to provide insurance and other performance services for your new Rapier.
We too have been very happy with the reaction to our pricing... again the majority 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 and you'll see the incredible value that this car represents. 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 offer 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. 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. As we offer updates and upgrades they will be made available to our growing customer base. With every boutique super-car manufacturer on there you are paying for the marquee, exclusivity, performance and R/D.
The Rapier is just the first of several cars... a Roadster version is in the works 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. And look for a new interior starting with the very next car. The one shown on Chassis #1 is very well done as has been well received, (it's hand stitched suede and leather and/or carbon fiber, the forthcoming interior is hands down far more contemporary. At the two past shows we had very positive comments about the current interior but I know it can be vastly improved.
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. And we'll work on the 'cheesy comments' for sure...
Best,
Billy Mead
President/CEO
Last edited by RapierAutomotive; Mar 27, 2010 at 04:55 AM.
