Rodin FZero vs. Formula 1: A First Look at New Zealand’s Record-Breaking Hypercar

January 3, 2025 4:40 PM

From a remote corner of New Zealand’s South Island reigns a hypercar that seeks to redefine what’s possible in automotive performance. The Rodin FZero, envisioned by the innovative team at Rodin Cars, is designed to outrun modern Formula 1 lap times, surpass conventional engineering limits, and deliver a driving experience tailored to the world’s most dedicated enthusiasts. Explore the philosophy, engineering, and groundbreaking production methods driving the FZero, as founder David Dicker and his team rewrite the hypercar rulebook.

 

A Vision Beyond Formula 1

 

Hypercars are often compared to Formula 1 machines, yet they are typically bound by road-legal requirements, limiting their raw performance potential. The Rodin FZero takes a different approach. Unconstrained by the stringent regulations that dictate F1’s engine displacement, bodywork, or aerodynamic design, Rodin Cars pursued the concept of ultimate speed with few compromises. Through extensive computer simulations, the FZero has already demonstrated it could lap certain circuits up to seven seconds quicker than current F1 records—an astonishing achievement by hypercar standards.

 

The brainchild behind this disruptive venture is David Dicker, a technology entrepreneur whose dream of building the quickest possible single-seat track car has driven Rodin Cars’ evolution. His quest for performance has steered every design decision, from the powertrain’s architecture to the vehicle’s minimalistic, race-focused cockpit. The result is a purpose-built machine poised to challenge—and potentially surpass—the best of motorsport.

 

 

 

 

Rodin Cars operates out of an expansive property near Mt. Lyford in the South Island of New Zealand. Initially purchased by Dicker as a remote testing ground, the land has been converted into a state-of-the-art production facility complete with a test track, pit garages, and multiple specialized workshops. This campus-style setup allows nearly every component of the FZero to be designed, manufactured, and tested on-site.

 

One of Rodin’s core philosophies is vertical integration, an approach evident in the company’s adoption of advanced machinery. The facility boasts one of the largest 3D titanium printers in the world, supporting Rodin’s mission to optimize and refine each part’s geometry. From lightweight gearbox casings to intricate suspension components, the team leverages titanium’s strength and low density to improve performance without compromising durability. This cutting-edge manufacturing strategy enables the FZero to achieve remarkably low weight figures, a critical factor in its projected lap times.

 

FZero’s Bespoke Turbocharged V10

 

According to Rodin Cars, the FZero is “magnitudes more ambitious” than any prior effort, featuring a closed-wheel, closed-cockpit design that enables a top speed of around 224 mph. Power is derived from Rodin’s RC.TEN twin-turbocharged V10, originally built in the UK by David Brown Engineering before the company decided to bring all development and manufacturing in-house. This custom, 4.0-liter powerplant is explicitly crafted for the FZero’s performance envelope, allowing Rodin’s engineers to set their own parameters—such as bore, stroke, and firing order—in pursuit of maximum power and torque.

 

In its final form, the turbocharging system is rumored to push output to a staggering 1,500 horsepower, achieving a balance between raw speed and agility. Despite these extreme figures, the engine design prioritizes lightness and compactness through the extensive use of titanium and other lightweight alloys in the block and ancillary components. With a target vehicle weight of just 1,538 pounds, every ounce saved translates directly to faster acceleration, sharper handling, and more efficient braking—critical ingredients for a hypercar looking to eclipse the lap times of even the most formidable motorsport machinery.

 

Aerodynamics: Downforce Over Everything

 

Although the FZero’s power and low weight stand out, the secret sauce might lie in its aerodynamic profile. Freed from racing-series regulations, the Rodin design team maximized downforce through an aggressive aerodynamic package. This includes a flat underbody, large tunnels for channeling airflow, and a deployable rear wing that can be adjusted according to speed or track conditions.

 

Rodin has stated that at racing velocities, the FZero could generate up to 6,613 pounds of downforce—roughly four times the car’s own weight. This figure suggests an extreme level of grip, letting drivers carry more speed into corners with a stability and consistency that even Formula 1 cars might struggle to match. Coupled with the vehicle’s low curb weight, the net effect is a level of handling precision typically found only in closed-cockpit prototypes or heavily restricted race cars.

 

 

 

 

3D Printing and Advanced Production

 

The willingness to experiment with additive manufacturing distinguishes Rodin Cars from many established automakers. Traditional fabrication methods, such as casting or forging, can be time-consuming and limit part complexity. By employing advanced 3D printing methods, Rodin can rapidly iterate on part designs, testing multiple prototypes to refine strength, weight, and geometric efficiency.

 

Within the facility’s workshops, high-precision CNC machines work in tandem with the 3D printers. Components like titanium gearbox casings and structural brackets can be printed, heat-treated, and then milled on CNCs for perfect dimensional accuracy. This process allows for organic structures, internal channels, or innovative lattice designs that would be nearly impossible to fabricate via older manufacturing techniques. The results include enhanced component rigidity, targeted reinforcement, and weight savings that support the FZero’s performance goals.

 

Materials and Surface Treatments

 

Rodin employs a range of surface treatments to boost the FZero’s performance and reliability. Processes such as Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coatings reduce friction and prevent early wear on critical engine and drivetrain parts. The facility also conducts plasma nitriding in-house, a method that hardens the surface of components like crankshafts and cam lobes. By controlling each step of the heat treatment and coating procedures, Rodin engineers maintain tight quality standards across every batch, ensuring each FZero is built to withstand the rigors of track abuse.

 

 

 

 

The Driving Experience: For Purists Only

 

Rodin expects to build just 30 units of the FZero—27 of which will be sold to customers—making it one of the rarest hypercars on the market. Each car is tailor-made for its owner, with seat fittings, steering wheel adjustments, and even custom paint choices available. Inside the cockpit, drivers can anticipate a singular focus on performance: the controls, data readouts, and seating position are all reminiscent of a prototype racing car.

 

Creature comforts, like large touchscreen infotainment or plush seating, are kept to a minimum or excluded altogether. This ethos extends to the entire aesthetic: from the exterior’s striking carbon fiber accents to the precisely machined titanium fasteners holding the car together. Every choice underscores the notion that the FZero is built to dominate circuits, not to collect valet stares on Rodeo Drive.

 

 

 

 

Although Rodin has not confirmed whether a fully street-legal FZero variant is in the works, founder David Dicker has hinted at continued innovation, including a potential all-electric model down the line. Such an evolution would require a complete reimagining of the car’s powertrain, with advanced battery systems, new aerodynamic solutions to account for additional weight, and further engineering feats yet to be explored.

 

Regardless of its future trajectory, the Rodin FZero stands as a testament to the transformative power of ambition and technology. David Dicker’s dream of a hypercar unhindered by restrictions—outperforming Formula 1 machinery—has led to a radical fusion of additive manufacturing, high-strength materials, and aerodynamic wizardry. For those able to afford it, the FZero promises an intensely focused, unparalleled driving experience that few vehicles on the planet can rival.

 

 

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