Czinger is a revolutionary new car company thanks to Divergent3D, whose proprietary AI-enabled 3D printing systems allow for optimised production without any real CAPEX, tooling, or even a factory. Is that statement correct?
Divergent3D and Czinger Vehicles are sister companies that work very closely together and are both founded and operated by Kevin and Lukas Czinger. Czinger is the car company that focuses on creating the world’s most technologically advanced vehicles that continuously break the boundaries of design and performance and it does so by full leveraging Divergent’s technology, combining it with vehicle systems engineering expertise to create novel systems on which further IP is generated.
How many patents has Divergent3D been able to secure, does it have any competition in its space and if it’s such a game changer, what’s stopping the big auto groups like VW Group, Stellantis and GM from going down a similar path?
Together, Divergent and Czinger have over 550 patents. The Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) combines in house developed AI based generative design software, additive manufacturing, novel materials, and automated fixtureless assembly. It is the only company right now with this end-to-end capability and as such operates as a Tier 1 within Automotive and A&D [aerospace and defence], supplying OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] with next generation DAPS-designed and manufactured structures. It currently has eight of the major OEM brands as customers with over 20 production programmes. For the OEMs it’s a win-win structure, as they understand that Divergent owns the IP and has years of head start, not to mention the OEM can source the end-product in a cost-effective manner from Divergent, so they have no need to develop the system anyway.
How smart is AI now when it comes to designing and engineering parts, and how much smarter might it become?
The AI-based generative design system engineers structures that are perfectly pareto optimised – meaning the structure cannot be any more efficient [lighter] while meeting the necessary requirements such as strength. This system will continue to adapt but is already designing these “perfect” structures today.
Can every component of a car be 3D printed and are you left with any supply chain issues?
Our efforts are focused on structural and performance structures. Currently the main applications are chassis, powertrain, and braking. Functional integration with systems such as gearboxes and braking bring large advantages. Printing polymers such as tyres is not currently a focus.
How much scaling up can Divergent3D do and how fast can these expensive DAPS printers pay for themselves?
Divergent and Czinger are driving the scale up of DAPS globally. The potential is to create one of the largest platform businesses in the world operating ‘Factory as a Service.’ In the future, Divergent will own and operate tens, and then hundreds, of factories globally, acting as the outside design and manufacturing partner for Automotive, A&D, and other industries.
Czinger is planning to make not just the 21C and 21C V Max models but a four-seat Hyper GT, as well as three other new cars, will these be made concurrently?
Yes, Czinger will create a unique portfolio of industry defining vehicles with the 21C and 21C V Max being the halo car. These models will be manufactures concurrently. Moreover, given the unique nature of the design and manufacturing system, Czinger Vehicles does not need to platform share and instead can create unique architectures for each model that allow for true individual peak performance.
Is mass-production of car lines using 3D printing possible?
Sure. Divergent’s end-to-end system approach will allow DAPS to support high volume production in the future. Today Divergent is already contracted with programmes that range into the 300,000+ units over lifetime for large automotive structures.
Clearly 3D printing works well on a limited edition 2-million USD hypercar like the 21C but could you manufacture an affordable low margin car like a Smart using DAPS?
Additive manufacturing is the most advanced high performance manufacturing methodology on the market. As Divergent is in the initial years of industrialising the system it is not yet at a competitive price point for the B and C segments of automotive. However, in the future, this technology will be applied to lower cost vehicles.
Could you cut the cost of car manufacturing by removing shipping and just print cars locally in every major market?
Absolutely, local manufacturing is a key pillar of Divergent’s scale-up. This allows for improved cost, supply chain, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability. Divergent’s factories are modular and scalable and can be constructed in any locality.
Given we have yet to see, let alone drive, the 21C, can you tell us what it’s like to drive? How does it sound and how does it feel inside the cabin?
It has a central seating position, which is the most optimal position for a performance car. In terms of downforce, it has a lift-to-drag ratio of 3.5:1, which means it has the best aero profile of any production car, and that makes it feel like it's got endless grip, even at high G’s. It also has a very well-developed suspension system that’s both linear and well damped, which makes for a confidence inspiring drive. And for power, the all-wheel drive strong hybrid with 1,350hp offers an insane amount of usable power and it also creates an amazing sound, especially when you hit 11,000 rpm.
How did you go about choosing the 21C's powertrain, which is a 2.88-litre twin-turbo V8 coupled with two electric motors cranking out 1,350hp /1,233bhp?
We found it to be the best architecture for record breaking track performance and on-road drivability. Also, because of the seating arrangement that has one seat placed ahead of the other, there was a small packaging envelope that required a very power dense engine, so we designed and developed this in house as a 2.88-litre V8 and it turned out to be the most power dense production engine in the world. But when you couple such power with EV torque, you get some truly awesome capabilities.
Could you tell us something we may not already know about the 21C?
Thanks to an innovative 48V‑electrically actuated twin barrel system, it has the fastest automated single clutch synchromesh gearbox in existence. It also generates 2,000 kg of downforce at 300km/h.
How has customer reaction been so far to the brand?
Incredible. They've been captivated by the technology and completely won over after driving the 21C. They understand that it's the first vehicle of its kind and therefore a historically significant product.
What about car manufacturers? We heard you were able to help Aston Martin out with some parts manufacturing, will there be more deals like that in the future?
Yes, Divergent has eight other OEMs as customers on various structures from suspension, to frames, to functionally integrated structures. You will see some of these programmes announced in the coming months.
Could Czinger enter F1, and if it did would you expect it to have an advantage on the existing teams?
That’s a worthy ambition and long-term dream of ours, but definitely one for the future, right now we’re focused on creating our vehicle portfolio. But that being said, if we did enter Formula One, we believe that our engineering system would allow for multiple advantages over the existing competition.
Where do you hope Czinger Vehicles and Divergent3D will be in ten years’ time?
We hope to have 25 or more global Divergent3D factories, supplying hundreds of thousands of structures to the Automotive and A&D industries, and for it to be the world’s largest platform business... As for Czinger, we hope it will have cemented its status as America’s performance vehicle brand, with a range of record breaking and industry defining cars, plus a loyal and passionate customer family and fan base.
Left: This father and son team are quite formidable. Both went to Yale. The father, Kevin, is a former lawyer, turned Marine Corps reservist, turned federal prosecutor with a CV that includes Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and a bunch of private equity firms. Most recently he was involved in a couple of Silicon Valley startups, before he founded the EV startup CODA. Lukas is the brains behind Divergent3D and the VP of Manufacturing. Opposite: Czinger's 21C V Max blends a pure-electric range of 20km with 0-100km/h acceleration in 1.9 seconds
