Rodin to build the “fastest track car on earth”
New Zealand performance car manufacturer, Rodin Cars, has announced that their new 1200hp sub-700kg track hypercar, FZERO, is entering production.
Three years after it was first revealed as Rodin’s next venture, the company has released more FZERO production details, including specifications, a release date and the public unveiling of major completed vehicle components at its Donington Park showroom.
Rodin’s most ambitious car yet, FZERO continues where the previous model, FZED, left off. Where the purpose of FZED is to deliver a driver experience aligned with being behind the wheel of a modern Formula 1 car, FZERO takes a leap further, aiming to be the ultimate in track performance, far beyond that of anything seen before.
Building a car without restrictions of road laws or race series regulations means it can be developed with no limits, allowing for performance that would otherwise be unobtainable. The singular goal of FZERO is to be the fastest car around a track, without exception.
“The Rodin FZERO is the physical representation of the ultimate heights in vehicle performance, said founder of Rodin Cars, David Dicker. “Without the restrictions of building to a set of rules, we are able to make the car lighter, more powerful, and produce significantly more downforce. The only real restrictions we face are the laws of physics, and we have even pushed those to the absolute limit. We look forward to bringing the most intense driving experience conceivable to tracks around the world.”
FZERO will be available to customers in a configuration of their choice, allowing them to customise specific aspects of the car based on driving style and track used. In addition, Rodin owners receive access to custom racewear services, vehicle storage and delivery, and full driver training at Rodin’s private race tracks.
Twenty-seven FZEROs will be available to buyers, with the first coming off the assembly line in the southern summer of next year.
Based in New Zealand, David Dicker crafted Rodin Cars from the ground up, resulting in possibly the most unique and technically advanced vehicle manufacturing facility in the world. Located on a remote 550-hectare property in the South Island, the site features a manufacturing plant, build facility, 3D printing resources and three test tracks.
FZERO IN DETAIL
CHASSIS, WEIGHT, DIMENSIONS
As the car is made to attack lap times, the emphasis of FZERO is on weight and airflow aerodynamics. The chassis is constructed entirely of carbon fibre composite, with all components manufactured on site at Rodin Cars.
| WEIGHT | ||
| 698kg | ||
| DIMENSIONS | ||
| Length | 5500 mm | |
| Width | 2200 mm | |
| Height | 1130mm | |
| Track, Front | 1852 mm | |
| Track, Rear | 1790 mm | |
| Wheelbase | 3000 mm |
ENGINE
Designed and developed from the ground up by Rodin Cars in conjunction with engine manufacturer, Neil Brown Engineering, FZERO is powered by a “revolutionary” 4.0-litre V10 twin-turbo engine with the assistance of an electric power unit.
At just 132 kg, the RCTEN engine, is designed to be the lightest and most compact V10 ever built.
| DISPLACEMENT [cc] | 4,000cc not created to be bored to 4.5L or 5.0L |
| MAX ENGINE POWER [PS]@ rpm | 1000 @ 9000 rpm |
| MAX ENGINE TORQUE [Nm]@ rpm | 910 @ 7250 rpm |
| MAX COMBINED POWER [PS] | 1176 |
| MAX COMBINED TORQUE [Nm] | 1026 |
| MAX ENGINE SPEED [rpm] | 10,000 rpm |
| BORE [mm] x STROKE [mm] | 86 mm x 68.8 mm |
| COMPRESSION RATIO | 10:1 |
| FUEL INJECTION | Direct Bosch running at 200 bar |
| THROTTLE | Bosch drive-by-wire |
| OVERALL UNIT WEIGHT [kg] | 132 kg not including intake and exhaust systems |
| Hybrid motor power | 130kW |
DRIVETRAIN
A bespoke gearbox unit manufactured in conjunction with Ricardo UK gives FZERO eight gears whilst adding just under 66kg. The gearbox is encased in a titanium 3D printed case, printed on site in Rodin Cars’ 3D printing facility.
The differential is hydraulic, and computer controlled.
BRAKES, WHEELS AND TYRES
Weighing just 698kg, FZERO is ultra-responsive to minimal braking force. However, the car is equipped with front and rear 380mm PFC carbon-carbon brakes, with titanium callipers (six-piston front and four-piston rear). The braking system has ABS and traction control.
The system also offers regenerative braking from the hybrid system.
The wheels are a bespoke set of 18-inch forged magnesium rims, manufactured in conjunction with OZ Racing and produced to F1 standards. The rims are 18 x 14-inch at the front and 18-inch x 16-inch at the rear.
The tyres are a race-spec full-slick compound developed by Avon and can be changed depending on weather.
AERODYNAMICS
The massive wings and floor of FZERO are capable of producing up to 4000kg of downforce.
