SILLY NAMES ARE ALMOST expected for hypercars (the term “supercars” is no longer extreme enough).
From Los Angeles comes the latest totally impractical new car, called the Czinger (the “C” is silent, so it’s simply the Zinger).
Czinger calls itself “the trailblazing company that uses an in-house invented Human-AI production system to build state-of-the-art high-performance vehicles”. It has just unveiled its final production spec 21C hypercar.
The Czinger 21C, the first model in a series of exclusive performance vehicles – production will be limited to 80 cars – was created in part using additive manufacturing technologies. Each component manufactured using this technology is computationally engineered using AI, optimized for weight and performance, and is beautifully finished by hand. Czinger’s proprietary manufacturing technologies, in-house developed powertrain, and iconic design will guide its future family of vehicles.
This new hypercar showcases significant updates since its first public introduction in March 2020 ahead of the cancelled Geneva International Motor Show, including an updated width of 2050mm. With 1250hp (932kW!) and a dry weight under 1240kg, the 21C achieves a true 1:1 power-to-weight ratio. It also features all-wheel drive with a strong hybrid powertrain that includes:
- An in-house developed 2.88-litre, flat crank V8 with twin turbos located mid-vehicle
- Two high output electric motors, each powering a front wheel with torque vectoring
- An ultra-light, sequential seven-speed automated manual transmission gearbox
- Total output of 1250hp (932kW) redlining at 11,000 rpm (if that’s insufficient, a 100hp/74kW upgrade is offered providing 1350hp/1007kW)
- The 21C V8 is designed to use a range of fuels, including carbon recycled methanol and other e-fuels, so it can be run as a zero emission vehicle
The 21C’s hybrid powertrain uses the world’s most power dense production IC engine as its foundation. It is a 2.88 litre, flat-plane crank V8 with twin turbos located mid-vehicle. The V8 is coupled with an 800V electric drive and regen system. An e-motor drives each front wheel and the batteries are charged during operation both through regenerative braking and a Motor Generator Unit (MGU) using a gear drive that is attached to the IC engine. The total strong hybrid system delivers a peak output of 1250hp (1233bhp).
The hypercar has a top speed up to 281 mph (455km/h) in optional low drag vmax configuration. Putting the driver and passenger in the centre position for ultimate weight distribution, aero and driver engagement, its quarter mile time is 8.1 seconds, and it goes 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 1.9 seconds; 0 to 186 mph (300 km/h) to 0 in 13.8 seconds and 0 to 248 mph (400 km/h) to 0 in 27.1 seconds; 0 to 186 mph (300 km/h) in 8.5 seconds; and 0 to 248 mph (400 km/h) in 21.3 seconds. It has a 3:1 Lift / Drag Ratio with 615kg downforce at 100mph and 2500 kg @ 200mph (high downforce configuration).
The hypercar is designed, built, and manufactured in Los Angeles using cutting-edge technology tools that are integrated into a patented production system. This system includes automated AI based design and optimization software, patented additive manufacturing driven processes, high accuracy automated assembly and novel performance materials. This revolutionary technology enables Czinger’s design and engineering team to unlock performance and styling not before seen in the automotive industry.
Computer (Czinger call it “computationally”) engineered, printed and assembled, each component is at the frontier of theoretical performance. For example, the front upper control arm is hollow with internal structures allowing it to achieve significant mass savings compared to a traditional tooled variant, thereby greatly reducing un-sprung mass and further driving the 21C’s dominating performance.
The 21C is highly customizable both from a specification and individual personalization perspective. Presented in two fully homologated specifications, a lightweight high downforce configuration and a low drag configuration, both cars are powered by Czinger’s in-house powertrain and display its iconic design language and in-line seating architecture.
Czinger first unveiled its groundbreaking 21C in 2020 and confirmed that its halo hypercar is just the start of a family of exclusive performance vehicles created for the 21st century – all using the company’s in-house developed design and manufacturing technology and proprietary drivetrain.
We’d put the odds of a Czinger on Australian roads at somewhere between extreme and infinite.