Czinger - The Hypercar from Los Angeles
Image source: Czinger
1. the new era of automotive engineering
In a world where hypercars have long since become a status symbol for engineering, performance and luxury, a young company from Los Angeles is daring to make the most radical new start in the industry. Czinger Vehicles is not a classic car brand - it is a manifesto. An expression of how automotive engineering can be conceived, designed and built in the 21st century. At the interface of artificial intelligence, 3D printing and sustainable production, Czinger breaks with decades-old industry dogmas. At the same time, he delivers a Hypercar that surpasses anything previously seen in Europe, Japan or the USA.
The world premiere of the Czinger 21C in 2020 made waves - and not just because of its breathtaking figures such as 0 to 100 km/h in 1.9 seconds, a top speed of over 400 km/h or the uncompromising design line, which is more reminiscent of a fighter plane than a road vehicle. What particularly electrified the experts was the way in which this vehicle was created. The 21C is not a car in the traditional sense - it is the product of a completely rethought process.
Founders Kevin and Lukas Czinger are not only putting a spectacular vehicle on wheels - they are also questioning the entire production method on which the global automotive industry has been based since Ford's Model T. Away from assembly lines, casting molds and manual welding - towards supercomputing-supported design, additive manufacturing (3D printing) and automated assembly using AI-controlled robotics. The vision: to create vehicles that are lighter, more efficient, more powerful and at the same time more sustainable than anything previously possible.
At the heart of this is the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS™) - a revolutionary manufacturing system that emerged from the sister company Divergent 3D. This system makes it possible to design each component optimally for its intended use and then manufacture it automatically with minimal material consumption. The structure is no longer cast or pressed, but printed. And only as much as is needed - without excess, without waste. This not only saves weight, but also conserves resources.
But Czinger is more than just a technical experiment. The brand's vehicles are emotional works of art - uncompromising in terms of aesthetics and function. The 21C is not a design study, but a fully road-legal super sports car that has set new standards on racetracks such as Laguna Seca or the Circuit of the Americas. With record times that are likely to make established brands such as McLaren, Ferrari and Porsche pause for thought. And the best thing about it: it is made in the USA, designed and produced in California - a statement for American engineering and innovative strength.
What sets Czinger apart from other brands is not just the technology. It is the philosophy. The ambition to not only build the best vehicle - but to revolutionize the way we think, design and create cars. At a time when electromobility, climate change and digitalization are fundamentally changing the industry, Czinger brings an answer that is visionary, radical and fascinating at the same time.
The brand is stepping up to not only play the game, but to write new rules. And there is a good chance that it will do just that.
2. the founders - Kevin and Lukas Czinger
Image source: Czinger
Behind the brand Czinger are two extraordinary personalities: Kevin Czinger, the father and founder, and his son Lukas Czinger, co-founder and current CEO. Together they embody a rare symbiosis of visionary entrepreneurship, technological foresight and an almost rebellious will to change. Their shared mission: to redefine the automotive world from the ground up - not just with spectacular vehicles, but by completely transforming the way we produce them.
Kevin Czinger is not a classic car manager. He originally comes from the world of finance, having worked at Goldman Sachs and in the tech sector. But over time, he realized that the conventional way of building cars leaves a huge ecological footprint - even greater than the emissions from the operation of the vehicles themselves. He couldn't let go of this thought. In 2015, he founded Divergent 3D, a company that specializes in sustainable, digital and automated vehicle production. The goal: to put an end to the environmentally harmful, energy-intensive casting and welding processes that have been standard in the automotive industry for over 100 years.
His son Lukas Czinger joined the mission in 2017 - when he was just in his early 20s. Among other things, he developed the fixtureless assembly system, which makes it possible to assemble vehicle components without traditional assembly lines. He played a leading role in the development of the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS), which still forms the technological backbone of Czinger today. With more than 60 patents registered, Lukas himself has long been a driving force behind the technological revolution that Czinger embodies.
What makes the duo so special is their approach: they combine family closeness with industrial courage. Kevin brings vision, experience and entrepreneurial foresight, while Lukas, as an engineer and innovator, drives the digital transformation operationally. Together, they lead a team of over 300 engineers, designers and software developers - driven by the desire to create one of the great car brands of the 21st century.
Czinger is therefore not just a vehicle - it is a family story. A story about generations, technology, sustainability and the power to question the status quo. And thus perhaps exactly what is needed to rouse an industry from its slumber.
3. technological quantum leap - Divergent 3D and DAPS
Image source: Czinger
What makes Czinger so unique is not just the finished Hypercar - but above all the way to get there. At the heart of this revolution is the Divergent 3D technology platform and the associated DAPS™ system - short for Divergent Adaptive Production System. This is a completely newly developed production method that throws all the previous rules of automotive production overboard.
Instead of casting molds, press shops and assembly lines, Czinger relies on additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics and automated assembly processes. Every single vehicle part - from the smallest connecting element to the load-bearing structure - is manufactured from aluminum alloys using 3D printing. The process not only saves material and weight, but also massively reduces energy consumption. At the same time, a higher structural strength is achieved as each component is individually optimized for its use - an advantage that traditional casting or sheet metal processes cannot offer.
However, the DAPS system goes even further. It is not only able to design and print vehicles, but also to assemble them fully automatically - without the need for fixed fixtures or special tools. This is made possible by a "fixtureless assembly" process developed by Lukas Czinger , in which external guidance systems take over the exact positioning of components. The result: maximum precision, extreme scalability and complete digitalization of the entire production process.
With over 600 registered patents, Divergent 3D is not only part of the Czinger, but has long been a technology driver for the entire industry. Divergent now also works with other OEMs such as Aston Martin for example in the construction of the DBT22 subframe - and is already applying its technology in the aerospace and defense sectors.
So what Czinger is delivering is not a show car for the luxury mile - but a tangible example of a completely new industrial logic: fast, precise, sustainable, digital. And therefore far more than just a Hypercar - it is a symbol of the next stage of mechanical engineering.
4. the first masterpiece - Czinger 21C
Image source: Czinger
With the Czinger 21C, the young brand is not only presenting its first series vehicle - it is making a statement. A work of engineering art that sets new standards in almost every respect: in design, performance, sustainability and production methods. The 21C is not just another Hypercar in the round of horsepower giants - it is a technological manifesto of the future.
Even at first glance, the 21C makes it clear that it is different. The aggressive styling, the narrow jetfighter-style driver's cabin and the sculptural lines are more reminiscent of an airplane than a road vehicle. No coincidence - the design of the 21C is inspired by the legendary SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft. And like its airborne role model, the Czinger 21C is designed for absolute efficiency at maximum speed.
The technical data reads like something out of a science fiction script: The 21C accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.9 seconds. The top-speed version "V Max" reaches over 407 km/h - with a quarter-mile time of just 8.1 seconds. The 21C also sets new standards in braking: from 0 to 400 to 0 km/h takes just 27.1 seconds.
At its heart is an in-house developed 2.88 liter twin-turbo V8 which, together with two electric motors, delivers a system output of 1250 hp on the road - optionally even 1350 hp. The engine is the world's most compact and at the same time most powerful series production unit with over 330 hp per liter of displacement. Combined with a dry weight of just 1250 kilograms, this results in a power-to-weight ratio of almost 1:1 - a value that hardly any other production car can match.
But the 21C doesn't just shine on the data sheet. Its performance was put to the test on real race tracks. At Laguna Seca and the Circuit of the Americas, the Czinger set new lap records for production cars - and that against established top brands such as McLaren, Porsche and Ferrari.
Remarkable: every single component was computer-optimized using artificial intelligence, manufactured using 3D printing and then finished by hand. The body is made from an ultra-light mixture of carbon, aluminum and titanium.
The Czinger 21C is therefore more than just a vehicle - it is high-tech in motion, a drivable prototype of the future. And at the same time the first proof that the Czinger works on the road. Ready for series production. Ready for the revolution.
5th Blackbird Edition - A tribute to the fastest
Image source: Czinger
If a Hypercar is considered a technical work of art even in its standard state, then the Czinger 21C Blackbird Edition is the ultimate expression of this philosophy. It is not just a special version - it is a symbol. A tribute to speed, innovation and those pioneering spirits who were never satisfied with the ordinary. Its inspiration: probably the most legendary aircraft in human history - the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.
The SR-71 was a US spy plane that was developed in the 1960s and is still considered the fastest and highest-flying manned aircraft. Its design, its camouflage, its propulsion technology - everything was far ahead of its time. It is precisely this spirit that Czinger wants to bring back to the road with the Blackbird Edition.
The model is limited to just four units worldwide - a true collector's item and a so-called "Founder's Edition", which is intended exclusively for the brand's first supporters and visionaries. Technically, the Blackbird is based on the 21C, but the details make it stand out even more. The aerodynamic design has been further optimized, the downforce is over 2000 kg at 352 km/h, and every single component has been reworked, refined or replaced by specially designed lightweight components.
Inside, the central driving position is retained - a design feature that is strongly reminiscent of Formula 1 cars and guarantees an absolutely immersive driving experience. The choice of materials is uncompromising: visible carbon, titanium, hand-stitched leather surfaces and displays that integrate seamlessly into the cockpit make the Blackbird Edition a mixture of racing machine and design object.
But it's not just the technology that fascinates. It is also the emotional level with which Czinger charges this special model. Lukas Czinger, co-founder and CEO, recalls in official statements how he built models of the SR-71 with his father as a child and devoured documentaries about the aircraft. For him, the Blackbird Edition is a "full circle moment", an emotional conclusion to a childhood dream - which has now become a reality. And you can feel this personal connection in every detail.
Kevin Czinger, father and founder, sees the Blackbird Edition not just as a vehicle, but as a tribute to the spirit of innovation. For him, this model exemplifies the break with old production methods and the birth of a new industrial age - from analog to digital.
In an industry that often relies on retro designs and mechanical nostalgia, Czinger deliberately takes the opposite approach. The 21C Blackbird Edition is futuristic, uncompromising and above all one thing: fast - very fast. It is built for those who are not satisfied with convention. For collectors, for visionaries - and for those who not only want to see the spirit of the SR-71, but want to experience it.
6 Sustainability as a core principle
The hypercar segment is usually dominated by terms such as horsepower, acceleration and top speed. Sustainability? Rarely a central topic. But this is precisely where Czinger Vehicles is breaking completely new ground. For Kevin and Lukas Czinger , environmental awareness is not a trend, but a fundamental part of their philosophy. The 21C is not only a masterpiece of performance - it is also the most sustainable Hypercar of its time.
The key insight that led to the founding of Divergent 3D and later to the development of Czinger was simple but profound: the way cars are built causes more environmental damage than their operation. While many manufacturers focus on zero-emission drives, they often ignore the ecological footprint of their production processes. Czinger , on the other hand, rethinks the life cycle of a vehicle from start to finish.
The key to sustainability lies in revolutionary manufacturing: Additive manufacturing (i.e. 3D printing with metal alloys) replaces resource-intensive casting and welding processes. Thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, only the exact materials that are actually needed are used - not a gram too much, no waste. This not only saves resources, but also reduces CO₂ emissions in the supply chain.
Another advantage: the materials used - in particular patented aluminum alloys - are fully recyclable. And because the components are modular and computer-assembled, they can be replaced or recycled if necessary without the need for a complete rebuild.
Assembly is also designed to minimize energy consumption. The "fixtureless assembly" process does not require huge production halls or heavy machinery, but works with high-precision robotics that can be used flexibly and in a space-saving manner. In this way, Czinger is not only revolutionizing the vehicle - but also the factory.
The combination of high performance and genuine environmental responsibility makes Czinger a pioneer in the field of "green high-performance vehicles". The 21C is therefore not only a technical sensation, but also an ethical statement. At a time when sustainability is becoming a question of survival for the industry, Czinger is delivering a concept that shows that performance and environmental protection need not be a contradiction in terms.
7th record hunt - track performance at world-class level
Image source: Czinger
A Hypercar may look futuristic, be sustainably manufactured and feature state-of-the-art technology - but in the world of superlatives, one hard currency counts in the end: lap times. And this is precisely where the Czinger 21C has impressively demonstrated that it is not just a technology demonstrator, but a serious challenger to Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche & Co.
In 2021, Czinger caused a real sensation in the scene. The 21C set a new best time for road-legal production cars on the legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in California with a time of 1:25.44 minutes. It beat models such as the McLaren Senna and the Porsche 911 GT2 RS - on a track that is notorious for its technical demands and tight time gaps.
But that's not all. Czinger also set an exclamation mark on the famous Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Texas - home of the Formula 1 race in the USA: With a time of 2:11.33 minutes, the 21C left the assembled competition behind and proved that its performance is not limited to the data sheet, but is realized at the highest level.
These successes are no coincidence, but the result of an uncompromising combination of modern engineering, lightweight construction and aerodynamic efficiency. The Czinger 21C generates a downforce of up to 2000 kg at 352 km/h, supported by an aerodynamic design that was fully developed and optimized using AI. The lift-to-drag ratio is an impressive 3.5:1 - a value that is otherwise only achieved by thoroughbred racing cars.
But it's not just the aerodynamics that ensure best times. The 21C combines extreme performance with optimum balance. The hybrid drive - consisting of a V8 biturbo and two electric motors - delivers up to 1,350 hp with a total weight of just 1,250 kilograms. This results in a power-to-weight ratio of almost 1:1, coupled with lightning-fast gear changes and a particularly low center of gravity thanks to the mid-engine architecture and lightweight construction.
What's more, the entire chassis is tailor-made for track days. In contrast to many hypercars, which are designed for comfort or luxury, the 21C was designed from the outset for maximum driving dynamics and racetrack performance. Every component, every curve, every line follows the principle: form follows function - and function follows speed.
Czinger has achieved what only a few can: to build a completely new type of vehicle that leaves even the most established names behind on the world's toughest racetracks - with style, technology and a clear mission.
8th Design meets AI - Human-AI Engineering
In the traditional automotive world, vehicle design is usually in the hands of experienced designers who create shapes that are later translated into functional components by engineers. Czinger , however, is taking a completely new approach: design and technology are created simultaneously - controlled by the cooperation of humans and artificial intelligence. They call this principle Human-AI Engineering.
This is more than just a buzzword - it is the core of the Czinger. Every single component of the 21C was not only visually designed with the help of AI, but structurally optimized. This means that the shapes that delight the eye are not stylistic gimmicks, but the result of mathematical calculations that aim to maximize strength while minimizing weight. What looks organic and futuristic is in fact the most efficient shape that the algorithms have found for the task in hand.
The process begins with the engineer's specifications - for example: "This part should carry a certain load, be a certain size and function in a defined installation space." From this, the AI generates millions of variants, evaluates them according to previously defined criteria and suggests the most efficient geometries to the team. These are then transferred to the production process - by 3D printing from titanium, aluminum or carbon fibers.
The result is components that look as if they have sprung from nature itself: filigree, branched, skeletal. No one would design them like this - but that is precisely what makes them so efficient. At the same time, they are lighter, more stable and require up to 75% less material than conventional components. This not only means a gain in performance, but also an enormous advantage in terms of the carbon footprint.
The interplay of AI design, additive manufacturing and robot-assisted assembly also creates unprecedented design freedom. Traditional restrictions such as molds for casting processes, bending radii of sheet metal or tool compatibility no longer apply. Czinger calls this "design without compromise". Designers and engineers can concentrate entirely on the optimum - not on what is technically feasible, but on what is technologically desirable.
Humans remain a central part of the process. Artificial intelligence provides suggestions, but it is the human being who makes the decisions, evaluates the shapes, charges aesthetics with emotion and refines the finished parts. This synthesis of human creativity and machine precision is what makes Czinger so unique.
A good example is the monocoque of the 21C: it is not only extremely light and torsionally rigid, but also visually spectacular. Even parts of the interior - such as the steering wheel or the air vents - were designed using human-AI engineering. This results in a coherent design language: everything appears to be cast from a single mold, technical and organic at the same time.
The 21C is therefore not only a driving statement for speed - it is also a sculpture of the next industrial revolution. It stands for the symbiosis of man and machine, of aesthetics and function, of nature and technology.
Czinger proves that AI can not only think efficiently - it can also design beautifully. And the result is a vehicle that not only drives like no other, but also looks like something from another world.
9. global presence - distribution network and collector's value
A Hypercar like the Czinger 21C is more than just a vehicle. It is a technological work of art, a status symbol and, last but not least, a coveted collector's item. To do justice to this position, Czinger relies on a strictly selected, global sales network - carefully built up to bring the brand not only into the garages of the elite, but also into the world's most exclusive collections.
The 21C is already present worldwide - not as a mass product, however, but as a tailor-made bespoke suit. Only a few dealers worldwide are allowed to sell Czinger vehicles. These include only names that also work for other ultra-luxury brands such as Bugatti, Pagani or Koenigsegg. Partners such as H.R. Owen in the UK, O'Gara Coach in California, Spirits of Speed in Spain, Doerr Group in Germany and Pfaff in Canada underline the high standards. Czinger is even represented in markets such as Saudi Arabia (9 Motors) and Japan (Sky Group) - albeit always within a strictly controlled framework.
This selective strategy pursues a clear goal: maintaining exclusivity, ensuring quality and controlling the brand experience. Anyone who buys a Czinger is not simply handed a vehicle. They are immersed in a brand that combines technology, sustainability and emotion. Advice, vehicle handover and support are provided at the highest level - tailor-made and personal. Special requests or individual adaptations are also part of the service.
But it is not only the dealer selection that makes Czinger a rarity. Above all, it is the very limited production. The Czinger 21C is produced in extremely small numbers. For the "Blackbird Edition", for example, there are only four examples worldwide. This not only increases the collector's value - it also ensures a growing demand among investors who not only drive hypercars, but also see them as a form of investment.
The fact that Czinger does not follow traditional paths helps here. The technological background, the revolutionary production and the ecologically optimized philosophy make the 21C a vehicle that reaches beyond the confines of the car world. For many collectors, it is not just a car, but a piece of contemporary history - an example of how an entire industry can reinvent itself.
Ken Choo, CEO of H.R. Owen, sums it up perfectly:
"The Czinger 21C is a very special car that has been designed with no regard for cost. It is at the absolute top of the automotive hierarchy - an experience that even established super sports car brands struggle to offer. It is the crowning glory of any collection. The ultimate trackday vehicle. The origin of a new brand."
This positioning is having an effect. In collector's circles, people are not just talking about the vehicle's performance or lap times - but about its significance for the future of mobility. What is particularly striking is that Czinger are not necessarily classic sports car buyers. They are tech-savvy, future-oriented and often entrepreneurs or innovators themselves. People who understand that this vehicle is not just about speed - it's about attitude.
Owning a Czinger means being part of a movement. A movement that sees sustainability not as a limitation, but as progress. A movement that uses technology not as a tool, but as a source of inspiration. And which redefines automotive excellence - beyond tradition, but with maximum aspirations for tomorrow.
10. future outlook - Czinger as the brand of the century?
Image source: Czinger
The Czinger 21C is more than just a Hypercar - it is the beginning of a new way of thinking. But what comes next? Will Czinger become a permanent fixture in the automotive world, an American counterpart to Bugatti or Koenigsegg? Or will it remain a fascinating exception? Those who interpret the signs correctly will recognize that Czinger is here to stay - and to change the industry for good.
Today, Czinger is already regarded as a pioneer of a revolution that not only affects the car as a product, but also rethinks the entire production process from the ground up. The company's great strength lies not only in the impressive specifications of the 21C, but also in the technological backbone that operates under the Divergent Technologies label. This system, known as the Divergent Adaptive Production Platform (DAPS), is a scalable production principle that is not limited to the Hypercar.
With over 600 patents in the field of additive manufacturing, automated assembly and AI-supported structural optimization, Czinger and Divergent are positioning themselves as technology suppliers for a wide range of industries - from automotive and aerospace to defence. Divergent already cooperates with renowned brands such as Aston Martinto produce subframes for sports cars such as the DBT22. So the 21C was not the goal - but the starting signal for a comprehensive industrial transformation.
In the automotive sector, this means that Czinger has the opportunity to develop further models based on the same technology platform. A GT model for long-distance driving? An all-electric super sports car? A limited racing version? All of these scenarios are conceivable - and technically feasible. Thanks to the modular and digital production method, Czinger can react quickly and flexibly to market developments without having to rely on development cycles lasting years.
Czinger also has clear plans for sales and expansion. The existing sales network will be successively expanded, but always with a focus on quality rather than quantity. In the future, experience centers in metropolises such as Dubai, Shanghai or London are conceivable - places where the Czinger brand is not only sold, but also staged. Because the vehicle alone is not enough: Czinger wants to convey an attitude to life. To build a brand that stands for progress, performance and environmental responsibility - the Tesla principle in the Hypercar, so to speak.
Further potential lies in the customer experience itself. Thanks to the digital nature of production, Czinger could involve customers much more closely in the design of their vehicle in future: Individualized geometries, AI-optimized chassis tuning, even personal aerodynamic profiles - all of this would be conceivable. The buyer will no longer just be the owner of a vehicle, but an active co-designer of their own high-performance experience.
But what does all this mean in the wider context? At a time when the automotive industry is facing profound upheaval - through electromobility, autonomous systems, sustainability pressures and digitalization - Czinger provides a blueprint approach that offers answers to all these challenges:
Sustainability through material- and energy-efficient production
Scalability through digital modularity
Performance through consistent AI optimization
Emotion through bold, iconic design
Many of these aspects are lacking in traditional car manufacturers, who have become entangled in long supply chains, outdated production facilities and conservative structures. Czinger , on the other hand, is free of legacy issues, fast, agile - and visionary.
One thing is clear: the road to the top will not be an easy one. Brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren have decades of brand loyalty, an iconic history and a gigantic fan base. Czinger has no past - just a vision. But that is precisely what makes the brand so interesting. Anyone who orders a 21C today will not just become the driver of a super sports car. They become part of a movement, perhaps even part of a new era.
Kevin Czinger put it aptly:
"We don't just want to build cars. We want to show how industry can be rethought in the 21st century."
And looking ahead to the next few years, it seems clear that if Czinger continues on its path consistently, if technology, sustainability and design continue to work together as harmoniously in future models as they do in the 21C, then this could indeed become one of the major brands of this century - not just in the automotive sector, but in the entire technology sector.
Because Czinger doesn't just build cars. They build the future.
