Rodin FZero Brings Actual F1 Performance To Your Fingertips
With serious motorsport pedigree, Rodin’s FZero is a real challenger for todays top hypercars.
With the recent rise in available hypercars, its no wonder that we’re hearing about another name that has decided to join the fight. Rodin is based in New Zealand, which isn’t exactly an epicenter for speed, but the FZero proves that you don’t need to base your operations in the UK or Italy to have a fast car.
The founder of Rodin, David Dicker, is exactly the kind of enthusiast you want at the helm of a project like this. Rodin has no heritage to keep in tact, no motorsport program to promote, and nothing to lose. In the video interview below with Top Gear, Dicker says, “I’m 71 years old, and I’ve always wanted to do it. I’ve managed to make the money to be able to do it. So I’m going to do it.” We like where this is headed already.
The inspiration started many years ago, when Dicker was an F1 fan. In the 70’s and 80’s, the F1 cars were the fastest machines that could be made based based on a more open rulebook. But modern F1 cars are extremely restricted in performance in a comparative way. Wing sizes, fuel flow, engine size… it all matters.
Essentially, Dicker wanted “proof that you can spend less to go faster than an F1 car.” And with a turbocharged V10 engine in a chassis weighing about the same as a current F1 car, the proof is there.
Rodin’s one unique feature as a carmaker is that they do everything in house. Quite literally everything. Motorsport engine manufacturer Judd had a V10 engine that Rodin originally tried, but it wouldn’t pass emissions for road use. So Rodin made their own. An on-site foundry to make castings and multi-axis CNC machines are critical to that. 3D printing is also a central point, as well. Extensive use of 3D printed titanium parts can be found all throughout the car. If your eyes fix on something gold, its likely titanium.
All of this infinite attention to detail has Dicker believe they are in direct competition with the likes of the RB17. In terms of speed, Rodin could easily come out on top. In terms of road cars, nothing on earth will look like the Rodin. So they may come out on top there, too.
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