Hope and Katie were trapped in a burning factory, both sustaining serious injuries B&B Spoilers

Czinger 21C VMax: A 1,250-HP Glimpse into the Future of Automotive Engineering For years, the allure of driving a Czinger 21C has been a tantalizing prospect for automotive enthusiasts. The Southern California-based company, founded by father-and-son duo Kevin and Lukas Czinger, has been forging a new path in hypercar engineering. Divergent Technologies, the parent company of Czinger, is a leader in additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence, developing lightweight and strong mechanical components for both the defense sector and the automotive industry. This unique position allows Czinger to push the boundaries of what is possible in vehicle performance and design. The Uniqueness of Czinger’s Manufacturing Process The journey of experiencing the Czinger 21C VMax began with a visit to the manufacturing facility in Southern California. This was not just a typical factory tour; it was a journey into the future of automotive production. The parent company, Divergent Technologies, utilizes state-of-the-art 3D printing technology combined with artificial intelligence to design and produce complex mechanical components. This process allows for a level of precision and optimization that traditional manufacturing methods cannot achieve. To gain access to the facility, proper identification was required, as Divergent Technology supplies parts to the Department of Defense. While military hardware was kept under wraps, a tour of one of the massive 3D printers offered a firsthand glimpse into the future. Lasers fused powdered aluminum to create intricate parts that resemble bird bones, showcasing the revolutionary nature of additive manufacturing. Lukas Czinger explained that Divergent’s technology reaches “Pareto optimal,” the point where any gram added or removed would negatively impact performance. This means that for any required part, the software generates hundreds of thousands of designs to achieve the strongest and lightest possible structure. This process is a testament to the power of AI in engineering. In addition to the DOD, nine automotive OEMs currently use Divergent’s 3D-printed parts. Among the publicly acknowledged partners are Aston Martin (DBR22 Roadster), Bugatti (Tourbillon), and McLaren (W1), with the Ferrari F80’s control arms also exhibiting signs of this advanced technology. The Czinger 21C VMax: Design and Specifications Czinger offers two versions of the same foundational car: the high-downforce, track-focused 21C and the wingless, long-tailed VMax. The 21C VMax, the latter of which is what was used for the inaugural Velocity Tour, is a 500-mile road rally through the scenic wine country of Central and Northern California. This journey offered an opportunity to explore the center-steer, tandem two-seater configuration and its capabilities on a long-distance drive. The cabin of the VMax feels less like a traditional interior and more like a jet fighter canopy. Czinger compares the experience to being in a fighter jet, and there is a definite resemblance to the cockpit of an Extra 330LT stunt plane. With glass situated less than a foot from both sides of the driver’s head, the visibility is exceptional. However, entering and exiting the vehicle is an intricate maneuver. The driver must position their legs on the massive sill, tuck their knees up, and slide their head under the roof before maneuvering their feet into the footwell. One reason for the large sills is the inclusion of a hybrid system. The 21C VMax features a hybrid drivetrain with 2.2 kWh of battery power in each sill, totaling 4.4 kWh. The car is not a plug-in hybrid, so the battery is charged by a motor powered by the mid-mounted V-8 engine. These batteries deliver 500 horsepower to the front axle, which is driven by one motor per wheel. The combustion engine is a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-8 designed by Czinger, producing 750 horsepower on standard 91-octane premium unleaded gasoline. Using 100-octane race fuel increases horsepower to 850, and the engine can also run on ethanol, offering an even higher potential output. The gasoline engine powers the rear wheels through an Xtrac single-clutch automated semi-sequential gearbox. This transmission is similar to the Xtrac seven-speed used in the Pagani Utopia, but Czinger has utilized additive 3D printing to create the transmission case and incorporated small 48-volt electric motors to execute faster shifts at lower speeds. This technology eliminates the erratic surging characteristic of other automated single-clutch gearboxes at low speeds, making low-speed maneuvers such as pulling into gas stations and parking lots feel almost normal. Track Performance and Engineering Marvels For a significant portion of the rally, a professional driver, Evan Jacobs, rode along to ensure safety. However, Jacobs later assured the Czinger team that the driver was capable, allowing the solo drive for the remainder of the rally. The group stopped by Laguna Seca for parade laps, but non-Czinger employees are not permitted to drive the VMax on the track, even at the slow pace required for rally participants. Experiencing the rear seat, despite its tight dimensions, offered incredible visibility, reminiscent of a stunt plane. This was a novel way to experience riding around a track, something I have done hundreds of times. Jacobs took the VMax for a couple of “6/10ths” laps, demonstrating the car’s performance capabilities at moderate speeds. The most impressive hot lap experienced was riding shotgun in an Aston Martin Valkyrie LMH race car, where the force of braking pushed blood to the extremities. The Czinger VMax now sits as a close second, and this was achieved without the use of the big-downforce rear wing. Understanding how the 21C VMax achieved the California Gold Rush is clear. The production car set five track records in five days at Thunder Hill, Sonoma Raceway, Laguna Seca, Willow Springs, and The Thermal Club, driving from each track to the next. Later, Czinger returned to Laguna Seca to break its own record and reclaim the title from a track-special Koenigsegg Jesko Sadair’s Spear. The lap time of 1 minute, 22.30 seconds is faster than the fastest MotoAmerica Superbike lap ever recorded at Laguna, which stands at 1:22.56. Czinger claims a vehicle weight of approximately 3,600 pounds, which is exceptionally light for a 1,250-horsepower hybrid vehicle. To provide context, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale Asseto Fiorano, the highest-performance version of a three-motor twin-turbo V-8 PHEV with 986 hp, weighs 3,839 pounds. The new Lamborghini Temerario, another three-motor, twin-turbo V-8 with lower power output, weighs 4,185 pounds. The Ferrari SF90 and Lamborghini Temerario are the two quickest-accelerating gasoline-powered cars ever tested by MotorTrend, with the Ferrari holding the 0–60 mph record and the Lamborghini holding the quarter-mile record. If Czinger’s weight claims hold true, the unconventional startup from Southern California has managed to outperform these two Italian legends. This is remarkable on its own but especially noteworthy considering that Southern California lacks the deep supercar building expertise of Modena. Driving the Czinger 21C VMax on the Road The chosen route for the rally consisted of winding back roads with rough pavement, far from the idealized roads typically featured in hypercar journeys. The itinerary involved navigating the pack, finding lunch and coffee stops, and coordinating with the camera car. While this might have seemed like a disappointment at the time, it provided a realistic understanding of what most owners will experience while living with a Czinger. Surprisingly, the VMax handled like most other hyper-exotic vehicles. Passengers must remove everything from their pockets as the seats are tight, and it is advisable to drink water before entering as there are no cupholders. The driver must be prepared for constant attention from passersby, particularly males aged 16 to 24, who may follow, wave, and rev their engines. However, the ride comfort of the Czinger is surprisingly good, and the team deserves credit for avoiding excessive stiffness. The air conditioning also works effectively. The only significant drawback of the VMax for road use is its cabin noise, not from the V-8 engine, but from a lack of sound deadening. While acceptable for a track-focused car like the standard 21C, it is a noticeable oversight in a road car like the VMax, becoming particularly apparent during long drives. While weight is a critical factor in performance, the absence of sound-deadening material is a significant oversight that could easily be rectified. The Ultimate Driving Experience The drive reached its peak on proper California canyon roads, where the Czinger 21C VMax could be fully unleashed. The throttle response was instantaneous, demanding equally fast braking. While electric vehicles offer similar power, the VMax feels fundamentally different. It accelerates like nothing else, and the braking zones seem to appear out of nowhere, as if the car is bending the road rather than rolling over it. It is rare to say this in one’s career, but this car may be too much for public roads. Even on 91-octane fuel, the VMax is a beast of acceleration. The car corners beautifully and possesses tremendous grip. However, Southern California has larger and faster canyons such as Angeles Crest and Highway 33. It may be the case that even more power is needed, but it is likely more than enough as it is. Conclusion: Who Is the