Modern Technology & Engineering
Superlite Cars is dedicated to building the finest component cars in the industry.
Every original design Superlite car has it's own unique styling, with modern technology underpinnings for safety, incredible handling, buildability, and long service life.
Every body is carefully crafted to produce class-A finishes right out of the mold. Every body is styled for the optimum mix of performance and style. Except for replicas, every body is iterated thousands of times for optimum aerodynamic properties using the most advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling tools. These are the same ones that McLaren International uses, so you can be sure the car you select not only looks good, but is good, from an aerodynamic perspective.
But underneath the beautiful curves of the bodies lies Superlite's signature difference -- most of our cars have an all-aluminum monocoque chassis and custom billet suspension pieces that are carefully crafted and produced with advanced manufacturing technology including computer-controlled laserjets, waterjets and Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machining. Every chassis is completely welded with the GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding or TIG) process to ensure the best possible strength and appearance. TIG welding costs more, but typically results in better welds and superior appearance. It's the welding technology that all serious race cars use – just look at an F1 or IMSA prototype car.
This chassis architecture is much stronger and stiffer that the typical tube-frame designs of 50+ years ago that are still used in many other component cars. Using an advanced aluminum monocoque makes for a much stiffer chassis for noticeably improved handling and ride. The very best racing cars (and sports cars) are designed for the stiffest possible chassis, as chassis rigidity is the foundation for serious suspension tuning- you can't have a good handling car with a chassis that acts like a third spring!
Here's a chart showing the relative rigidity of some popular cars compared to the SL-C:
Car | Rigidity (Newton/Meters per degree) |
---|---|
SL-C | 30,000 |
McLaren F1 | 13,500 |
BMW E85 Z4 | 16,000 |
Bugatti EB110 | 19,000 |
Chevrolet Corvette C7 | 14,500 |
Dodge SRT Viper (2013-) | 11.400 |
Ferrari F50 | 34,600 |
Ferarri 458 Spider | 23,184 |
Ford GT40 MK1 (1965-69) | 17,000 |
Ford GT (2005-2006) | 27,100 |
Tesla Model S | 19,000 |
Volvo XC90 (2003-2014) | 21,400 |
Pagani Zonda F | 27,000 |
Porsche 959 | 12,900 |
Porsche Carrera GT | 26,000 |
Note that the SL-C numbers are without the rollcage/roof structure which adds a tremendous amount more rigidity.
And the suspension components are much stronger, yet lighter, and suitable for the stresses that modern tires and road conditions can dish out. In fact, we perform extensive Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on most all of our chassis. The video below shows an SL-C chassis being modeled to validate the basic chassis design.
Probably the best way to appreciate the technology in every Superlite car is to visit the factory to see the cars close-up, and in person. You'll see the cars being built, and even have a chance to see some completed cars in our showroom.
Every car has the vintage look of the original, but with modern underpinnings that make them a joy to build and drive.
That's the Superlite difference: Beautiful bodies, with Modern Technology & Engineering.