The Czinger 21C VMax: A Road Test of Hypercar Madness and Future Tech
The world of automotive engineering is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible, but few cars embody this spirit quite like the Czinger 21C VMax. This vehicle represents the very pinnacle of hybrid hypercar technology, an audacious blend of cutting-edge material science, artificial intelligence design, and raw power that feels less like a car and more like a spaceship. As we recently had the opportunity to put the 21C VMax through its paces on a grueling road rally, we came away utterly dazed by the sheer audacity of this Southern California creation. It’s an experience that redefines the very meaning of performance and innovation.
A Factory Unlike Any Other
Our journey began at the Divergent Technologies headquarters, the parent company of Czinger. Stepping through the doors of this facility feels less like entering a car factory and more like walking into a scene from a science fiction movie. I have never needed a U.S. passport to enter a car factory before, but Divergent’s unique position as a supplier to the Department of Defense meant that proper identification was required for entry. While the military hardware was safely tucked away during our visit, we were granted an exclusive tour by CEO Lukas Czinger, offering a glimpse into the future of automotive manufacturing.
One of the most astonishing sights was the array of industrial-grade 3D printers being operated by specialized robotic arms. These machines are used to create incredibly lightweight and rigid mechanical components, employing advanced additive manufacturing techniques to fuse powdered metals into complex shapes. It’s a truly remarkable process to witness. As Lukas explained, Divergent’s technology reaches the “Pareto optimal” threshold, where any additional mass would detract from performance. The engineering team leverages iterative artificial intelligence algorithms to design components that are both strong and light. For instance, a simple request for a remote reservoir mount for a rear suspension damper results in hundreds of thousands of design iterations until the strongest and lightest possible shape is found—a fascinating parallel to natural evolution.
In addition to the DOD, nine automotive OEMs use Divergent’s 3D-printed parts. While Aston Martin (DBR22 Roadster), Bugatti (Tourbillon), and McLaren (W1) are the only automakers who publicly acknowledge the relationship, there is strong suspicion that the control arms on the Ferrari F80 are also 3D-printed by Divergent. This technology is quickly becoming a cornerstone of the future of hypercar manufacturing.
The Czinger 21C: Two Versions, One Alien Soul
Czinger builds two distinct but related versions of what is essentially the same car. The Czinger 21C is the high-downforce track monster, while the 21C VMax is the wingless, long-tailed variant designed for the open road. For our inaugural Velocity Tour, a 500-mile road rally through California’s stunning wine country, I had the privilege of piloting a silver VMax. It’s important to note that while the car is officially the 21C VMax, the “21C” insignia is not displayed on the vehicle itself.
The cabin of the 21C feels much more like a fighter jet cockpit than a traditional car greenhouse. The visibility is spectacular, with glass surrounding the passengers. Getting in and out is an experience in itself: you sit with your legs facing forward on the massive side sill, pull your knees up, and tuck your feet into the footwell before sliding your head under the roof. It’s an awkward process, but the payoff is worth it.
Under the Carbon Fiber: A Hybrid Beast
The massive side sills are not just for show; they are stuffed with batteries. The 21C VMax is a hybrid hypercar, featuring a 4.4-kWh total battery capacity distributed between the two sills. The car is not a plug-in hybrid, as the mid-mounted V-8 engine keeps the battery charged. These batteries provide 500 horsepower to the front axle, which is driven by individual electric motors at each wheel. The combustion engine is a Czinger-designed 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-8 that produces 750 hp on 91-octane premium gasoline. When running on 100-octane race fuel, the horsepower increases to 850. Czinger has not released the figures for running on ethanol, but we predict a 10 percent increase in power.
The gas engine drives the rear wheels through an Xtrac single-clutch automated semi-sequential gearbox. This is similar to the seven-speed gearbox used in the Pagani Utopia, but Czinger has gone a step further. Not only is the gearbox case additively 3D-printed, but they also use small 48-volt electric motors to execute shifts at lower speeds. This eliminates the “drunken” surging feeling common in automated single-clutch gearboxes, making low-speed driving feel almost normal. This attention to detail is a game-changer for hybrid hypercars.
Track Time and Record-Shattering Laps
Czinger follows the tradition of placing a professional driver in the passenger seat of the Czinger 21C VMax, as it costs around $2.5 million. For the initial stages of the rally, we had Evan Jacobs from the Czinger team ensuring I didn’t damage the car. However, after that night, he assured the team that I was no threat to the VMax and was allowed to drive solo for the rest of the rally. We stopped by Laguna Seca for some parade laps, but non-Czinger employees are not allowed to drive the VMax on the track, even at the slowest speeds the rally participants were limited to.
For those who can’t drive, going for a ride is the next best thing. I scrambled into the unique rear seat, which proved to be a tight fit for my XXL calves. However, the visibility through the side glass was incredible, reminding me of a stunt plane ride—a completely novel way to experience a track I’ve visited over a thousand times.
Jacobs and I convinced the Skip Barber Racing School staff (whose track day we crashed) to let him take the VMax for a couple of “6/10ths” hot laps. The most impressive hot lap I’ve ever experienced was riding shotgun in an Aston Martin Valkyrie LMH race car, where the braking forces pulled all the blood to my extremities. The Czinger VMax now holds the second spot on that list, and Jacobs was not even going full tilt. Even without the high downforce rear wing, it was easy to understand how the Czinger 21C achieved what the brand calls the California Gold Rush.
The 21C set five production car track records in five days at Thunder Hill, Sonoma Raceway, Laguna Seca, Willow Springs, and the Thermal Club. The car even set a record at Laguna Seca, reclaiming the throne from the track-special Koenigsegg Jesko Sadair’s Spear. The record-setting lap time was a staggering 1 minute, 22.30 seconds, which is faster than the fastest MotoAmerica Superbike lap ever recorded at Laguna—a 1:22.56.
Czinger claims a weight of approximately 3,600 pounds, which is remarkably light for a 1,250-hp hybrid vehicle. The Ferrari SF90 Stradale Asseto Fiorano, the highest-performance version of a three-motor twin-turbo V-8 PHEV that makes only 986 hp, weighs 3,839 pounds. The new Lamborghini Temerario is another three-motor, twin-turbo V-8 (that again makes less power, but you get the comparison) that pushes past the two-ton mark, coming in at 4,185 pounds.
Now’s a good time to mention the SF90 and Temerario are the two quickest-accelerating gasoline-powered cars MotorTrend has ever tested (the Ferrari for 0–60 mph and the Lambo for the quarter mile). If Czinger’s weight claim turns out to be true, the unorthodox California startup has managed to beat two Italian legends. That’s remarkable on its own but especially noteworthy considering that while Southern California is known for many things, there isn’t a huge pool of supercar building expertise to draw from. In other words, L.A. isn’t exactly Modena.
On the Road: A Hypercar Experience Unlike Any Other
The route for the rally consisted mostly of true back roads—tight, winding, and in poor condition. It wasn’t the kind of smooth asphalt hypercar dream trips are made of. Plus, there was a lot of following the pack, navigating to lunch and coffee stops, and keeping up with the camera car. I might have been disappointed at the time, but in retrospect, what I experienced is what most owners will experience while living with a Czinger.
To my surprise, the VMax was mostly like driving any other hyper-exotic. Take everything out of your pockets as the seats are tight, drink your water before you get in as there aren’t any cupholders, and numb yourself to the fact that almost everyone else on the road, especially males between the ages of 16 and 24, will be looking at you, following you, waving at you, and revving at you, all while (probably) screaming friendly obscenities. Regardless, the Czinger rides much better than I figured it would; the team deserves applause for not making it overly stiff
