Razor FAQ
How easy is it to build, really?
The Superlite Razor was designed to be built in your garage, using basic hand tools. You don’t
need to do any welding, or machining, or have fancy tools. The car can realistically be built in as little as 180 hours.
You don’t need to be a professional mechanic, or have built a car before to create a great car.
Experienced builders will tell you that it is better to begin with a relatively by-the-book build to
begin, and add features later, as deviating from the standard always adds time and complexity.
Is there a build manual?
Yes, and it is available when you initially order a kit.
Am I really going to fit in the car?
The Razor fits a very wide range of people. It easily accommodates drivers 6’ 5” and taller. There is tremendous room in the footwells, so very long-legged driver (and passengers) can be accommodated with ease. Of course, there is unlimited headroom.
We have an optional “Gentlemen’s” seat that is 2” wider than the standard seat. There is even an adjustable pedals option, to make the car very adjustable for every driver.
What does it cost?
The Razor starts at just $9950, so it is affordable. You’ll need to provide a drivetrain from any popular FWD car (the complete drivetrain is mounted behind the cockpit in mid-engine fashion).
See the prices page for more details.
A completed street car will typically cost well under $25,000 for a very nicely finished car, using a recycled drivetrain and all new other parts and your labor. You can easily beat this number by careful shopping for a drivetrain.
Can I purchase a completed Razor?
The Razor is only available as a kit from Superlite Cars. However, we do have list of car builders that can build your Superlite Razor for you to your exact specifications. Contact us for more details
I want to use a VW Tdi, or VR6, or Acura V6, or Neon SRT4, etc. Will it fit?
Yes- the Superlite Razor was created to support almost any common front-wheel drive (FWD) drivetrain.
Superlite Cars has mounts already built and in stock for many popular drivetrains, including Honda, Mitsubishi 4G63T, all VW in transverse format, GM Ecotec, Dodge SRT4 and Hyundai. If you have another drivetrain in mind, you may arrange to send it to Superlite Cars after you have purchased a kit, and for a nominal fee, the factory will fabricate mounts and deliver your Razor to you with your drivetrain already installed. Check with the factory before you buy- they may have already built a Razor targeted for the drivetrain you want to use.
It’s really up to you!
Are these cars really street legal? They look like a race car!
Yes, there are already many Razors already on the road with no problems in many US states. The kit has DOT-approved headlights and taillights (contact us for E-marked taillights if you need them). Using a late-model drivetrain with intact emission controls even allows the cars to be as green as possible as well!
Most US states have now passed a version of the SEMA mode registration law which allows cars like the Razor to be registered, tagged and licensed in a streamlined way that recognizes the unique character of these cars.
There are Razors licensed and registered on the road in other countries as well. Contact us about
your country if you are interested in a street version.
Is there an electric version?
Yes, electric Razors are available. Call Superlite Cars for details.
Is there a Right-Hand Drive version?
Yes, for those builders in countries where Right-Hand drive is the requirement, the Razor can be
ordered in that configuration.
I Live in Canada. Can we get your cars shipped to Canada?
Yes, Call us for more details
What does the Razor weigh?
Every car is different, so there is no single answer. A track-day car with a light drivetrain can weigh under 1400 lbs. A turbocharged Mitsubishi that is easily capable of 400 HP can be built under 1500 lbs. Using a V6 from an Acura or Honda, for example, will probably add another 100 lbs or more. Careful choice of brakes, wheels and tires will have an impact on final weight.
Is the car safe?
No vehicle of any kind is risk free to operate. But we have tried to make the Razor as safe as
reasonably possible. One way is through active means: the Razor is agile enough to get out of
dangerous circumstances, so it can avoid them entirely, instead of just plowing into them.
Really great brakes that were originally designed for much heavier cars help to slow the Razor
much more efficiently than regular cars, so there is a safety margin there as well.
The Razor also has passive safety built in as well. For example, the fuel tank is located in the
safest position possible- between very strong chassis members, in the middle of the car
(instead of being at the front or rear of the car where it is more likely to be ruptured in an
accident. The exoskeleton design of the Razor means that there are substantial chassis bars on the side to help in reducing intrusion loads.
The car also comes with a “roof structure” (the lawyers don’t want us to call it a roll
bar) that serves to add chassis stiffness and provide some protection in the event of a rollover.
The Razor, like all other cars in it genre, doesn’t have airbags, or stability control. But these are
not silver bullets- you still have to drive whatever vehicle you have in a careful fashion. We
recommend that you follow all applicable laws and regulations when driving your Razor on the
road or track for maximum safety.
How fast is the Superlite Razor?
It depends on weight, drivetrain and conditions. Because of the exoskeleton design, there are inherent drag tradeoffs that effectively limit the top speed of this kind of car. But the purpose of a Razor, or any other exoskeleton-style car isn’t top speed, but rather acceleration, braking, and handling. That’s where the Razor shines, and where it can completely dominate almost any other regular production street car, including hypercars like the Ferrari Enzo, which actually has a worse power-to-weight ratio than the Razor. Razors have been built that go from 0 to 60 MPH in around 3 seconds.
How does the car get from the factory in Michigan to my home?
Superlite Cars pre-assembles every Superlite car to a “rolling” stage at the factory. This means
the body is fitted loosely on the chassis, suspension and brakes are mounted on the chassis, the
steering is connected, and the car can be rolled around and steered (but not braked) for ease of
transport. You need to supply the tires for the wheels; if they are new tires Superlite Cars will mount them on the wheels. The interior is filled with boxes that contain the rest of the kit.
This makes it easy to load onto your trailer, should you decide to visit the factory and pick your
car up yourself, as many builders do.
It also makes it easy for the car to be shipped directly to your home using a professional,
reliable carrier of your choice. We have had experience in this area, and can recommend
carriers with whom we have had good experiences. One good carrier is Stewart Transport
at 888-737-4852. Prices vary, but plan on anywhere from $600 to $2000 or more for a
commercial carrier. Of course, it’s free to pick your car up at the factory!
Superlite Cars also has considerable experience shipping cars internationally, and can construct
containers appropriate for cars as needed to ship anywhere in the world. Please contact us for
more information about your specific circumstance.
Can I purchase a completed Razor?
RCR only sells kit or component cars. We do have list of car builders that can help with your needs. Contact Us for more details
