FYI: Czinger Vehicles is setting new benchmarks in the hypercar market with its innovative use of 3D printing, supercomputing, and AI. Founder Lukas Czinger unveils the brand’s flagship models and offers insights into the technology driving their incredible performance.
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## Interview with Lukas Czinger, the Visionary Behind Czinger Vehicles
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Lukas Czinger, the founder, president, and COO of Czinger Vehicles, to delve into the intricacies of the brand’s meticulously crafted hypercars. Czinger’s current lineup includes the revolutionary 21C, the streamlined 21C V Max, and the awe-inspiring 21C Blackbird. All of these models were showcased at The Quail during Monterey Car Week, along with the first customer car.
### Craftsmanship and Unmatched Performance
Czinger Vehicles uniquely blends performance with an unparalleled driving experience. Their technological advancements extend beyond the automotive world, with significant contributions to sectors like aerospace and sustainability. Czinger’s innovative parts set new industry standards for efficiency and sustainability.
### The 21C Blackbird: A Technological Marvel
Lukas Czinger took us on an exclusive tour of the 21C Blackbird, detailing the cutting-edge 3D-printed components utilized in the engine, motor setup, steering column, and more. The 21C Blackbird is not just a vehicle; it’s a masterpiece of modern engineering that showcases technology applicable to other brands and industries.
Only four units of the Blackbird are being produced, each commanding a starting price of $2.8 million. The powertrain is a combination of a Czinger 2.88L twin-turbo V8 engine generating approximately 1,000 horsepower paired with three electric motors, forming a robust hybrid system. At its heart, the motor generator unit (MGU) plays a crucial role.
>”This allows us to actually power the crank of the V8 or pull the crank to recharge the battery in the cell. So, in terms of power delivery, it’s an F1-type strategy.”
>- Lukas Czinger | Founder and COO of Czinger Vehicles
### Record-Breaking Performance
The dual power sources of the hybrid system offer the torque benefits of electric power for charging, discharging, exiting corners, and accelerating while ensuring the durability and sustained power of a V8 engine. This impressive combination isn’t just theoretical; the 21C recently smashed the production car hill climb record at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
### Cutting-Edge 3D Printing Technology
One of the hallmarks of Czinger Vehicles is its use of supercomputing and AI to generatively design the chassis structure. Each component is optimized for its specific function, ensuring no material is wasted. The design process is followed by 3D printing with a patented alloy, and parts are assembled using high-precision laser-guided robots. This results in a chassis that is lighter, stronger, and more durable than traditional builds.
### Safety and Compliance
Czinger ensures that their hypercars undergo rigorous safety testing parallel to that of conventional vehicles. Each model is engineered to meet global safety standards and includes features like airbags and pretensioning seat belts. The vehicles comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and pass crash and emissions tests, ensuring they are road legal.
### Future Prospects for Czinger Vehicles
Read the full interview with Lukas Czinger for more insights into the brand’s philosophy and why it’s poised for a bright future. While the 21C is already setting new standards in the hypercar segment, Czinger Vehicles boasts technology that has broader applications beyond luxury hypercars.
Founded in 2014, Czinger’s parent company, Divergent, aims to revolutionize auto manufacturing through advanced technology. Divergent offers end-to-end solutions that integrate 3D metal printing for designing, engineering, and manufacturing vehicle structures. These advancements pioneered by Divergent are now embodied in Czinger’s 21st-century innovations, potentially paving the way for incorporation into other luxury vehicles.
### Conclusion
Czinger Vehicles isn’t just about creating fast cars; it’s about driving innovation across industries. From their groundbreaking hypercars to potential applications of their technology in other sectors, Czinger is one of the most forward-thinking brands in the market today.
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Authored by Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi.
