Czinger 21C VMax: The Limits of Speed and Technology
For years, the automotive world has been buzzing about Czinger, the Southern California company that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in a production car. Finally, after years of anticipation, I had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Czinger 21C VMax on a three-day road rally through the wine country of Central and Northern California.
The trip was more than just a chance to drive one of the most exclusive hypercars on the planet; it was an opportunity to experience a car that represents the future of automotive technology while simultaneously embracing the madness of pure performance.
A Glimpse into the Future
Czinger’s parent company, Divergent Technologies, is not your typical automotive manufacturer. Instead of traditional manufacturing methods, Divergent utilizes artificial intelligence and large-scale 3D printers to design and produce lightweight and strong mechanical components. This process creates parts that are not only lighter and stronger than their traditionally manufactured counterparts but also have a unique, organic look that resembles bird bones.
The manufacturing process is so advanced that Divergent supplies parts to the Department of Defense, and the technology is also used by nine other automotive OEMs, including Aston Martin, Bugatti, and McLaren. This is a testament to the groundbreaking innovation that Czinger is bringing to the automotive world.
The Genesis of the 21C
The Czinger 21C is named after the 21st century, and the VMax version is specifically designed for high-speed performance with a long tail and no rear wing. This configuration makes it the ultimate road car, but the track version is still the weapon of choice for those who want to push the limits on the track.
The 21C VMax is a hybrid hypercar that utilizes a combination of a mid-mounted V-8 engine and electric motors to deliver a staggering 1,250 horsepower. The engine is a Czinger-designed 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-8 that produces 750 horsepower on 91-octane premium unleaded fuel. With 100-octane race fuel, the horsepower increases to 850. The car can also run on ethanol, but Czinger has not yet released those figures.
The gas engine powers the rear wheels through an Xtrac seven-speed automated semi-sequential gearbox. Czinger has taken this gearbox a step further by not only 3D-printing the transmission case but also using small 48-volt electric motors to execute faster shifts at lower speeds. This eliminates the drunken, surging feeling that is common with other automated single-clutch gearboxes.
A Jet-Powered Cockpit Experience
The cabin of the 21C VMax is more like a jet fighter than a car, and the seating arrangement is just as unusual. The driver sits in the center seat, with a passenger seated directly behind. While this configuration is unique, it also makes getting in and out of the car a ridiculous process.
The sills are massive because they are stuffed with batteries. Each sill contains 2.2-kWh worth of battery power, for a total of 4.4 kWh. The car is not a plug-in hybrid, so the motor powered by the V-8 keeps the battery charged. Those batteries can deliver 500 horsepower to the front axle, which has one motor per wheel.
Track-Day Thrills
One of the most exhilarating experiences was getting a ride with pro driver Evan Jacobs during the Velocity Tour. Jacobs was assigned to ride with me to ensure I didn’t crash the $2.5 million car, and while I was grateful for his expertise, it was a bit nerve-wracking at first.
During the rally, we stopped by Laguna Seca for some parade laps. While non-Czinger employees are not allowed to drive the VMax on the track, I was able to get a ride in the passenger seat. The visibility was incredible, and it reminded me of riding in a stunt plane. It was a unique way to experience a racetrack, something I’ve done more than 1,000 times.
Jacobs took the VMax for a couple of “6/10ths” hot laps, and even at that speed, the car was incredibly fast. He had never experienced anything like it before, even when riding shotgun in an Aston Martin Valkyrie LMH race car.
Speed and Handling
The Czinger VMax has a claimed weight of approximately 3,600 pounds, which is pretty light for a 1,250-horsepower hybrid vehicle. To put that into perspective, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano weighs 3,839 pounds, and the new Lamborghini Temerario weighs 4,185 pounds.
The weight difference is even more impressive when you consider the amount of power these cars produce. The SF90 produces 986 horsepower, while the Temerario produces even less. The Czinger VMax produces 1,250 horsepower, which is more than both of those cars combined.
The car corners beautifully and has a prodigious amount of grip. The suspension is firm, but not overly stiff, and the air conditioning works well. The only downside is the lack of sound deadening in the cabin, which can be annoying on longer drives.
Is This Car Too Much for the Road?
For a significant part of the rally, the Czinger VMax felt mostly like any other hyper-exotic. I had to take everything out of my pockets, drink my water before getting in, and numb myself to the fact that almost everyone on the road was staring, following, waving, and revving at me, all while (probably) screaming friendly obscenities.
However, when I got to some proper California canyon roads and opened up the throttle, the VMax felt like a completely different species. Every time I got into the throttle, the braking zone appeared like a warp drive, as if the car was bending the road rather than rolling over it.
I hate to even type this, but this car might be too much for public roads. I’d love to get a chance to drive it on Angeles Crest or Highway 33 to see if it’s really too much, but I suspect it’s more than plenty and then some.
Who Is This Car For?
If you’re looking at a $2.5 million tandem-seat hypercar, odds are this isn’t the first ultra-performance ride you’ll own. You probably have a garage full of fancy, carbon-fibery, overpowered toys, and you might think that they are all basically the same. But Czinger has something different for you.
Czinger is only building 80 of these cars, and the follow-up to the 21C VMax will have good old-fashioned seating, so you can hold hands with the person sitting next to you. But if you live in this world, you might as well grab the Czinger that started it all.
