Kiwi hyper-car track-tested
Rodin Cars’ FZERO has now entered its test and development phase after being revealed to the world in 2022 as a concept.
The hyper-car being tested on the company’s own tracks in the South Island represents a huge milestone – not only for the project but for Rodin Cars as a whole.
Having successfully developed the FZED open-wheel, single-seat racer, the brand describes the FZERO as “magnitudes more ambitious”.
The project is being developed from its facility near Mount Lyford. It includes three purpose-built test circuits and a high-tech production facility.
The driving force behind Rodin Cars, and the designer of the FZERO and its bespoke V10 engine, is David Dicker.
The technology billionaire and keen racer personally took to the wheel of the car for its first outing recently and was impressed with its performance and durability.
“While there’s a long road ahead of testing and development, running the FZERO for the first time gives me immense pride in what everyone at Rodin Cars has achieved in bringing this programme to life,” says Dicker.
“The test went very well and we were able to work through our programme. We’re excited as the FZERO project enters its next phase. It really is a car like no other.”
Emma Duncan, Rodin Cars’ general manager, adds: “Seeing the FZERO effortlessly take to the track was an inspirational moment. The car represents engineering excellence and is truly a masterpiece. This is a pivotal development for the future of Rodin Cars.”
The closed-cockpit vehicle promises “outrageous levels of performance and dynamism”, and “will challenge established track-only hyper-cars from Aston Martin, Gordon Murray Automotive and Mercedes-AMG”.
The FZERO is powered by a twin-turbocharged four-litre V10 engine. Known as the RC.TEN, it develops 755kW of power at 9,500rpm while only using 11psi of boost. A naturally aspirated iteration of the RC.TEN is presently in development. It will power the FZERO to a top speed of 360kph.
After two prototype engines were built in the UK by Neil Brown Engineering, the RC.TEN development and manufacture has been moved in-house at Rodin Cars, and it intends to offer the engine as a crate motor for motorsport applications.
