hoffmeister_fan
Kraftwagen König
tantalizing specs.
Headquartered in New Zealand, Rodin Cars are custom-built hypercars that are designed to be more reliable and easier to drive than Formula 1 (F1) cars.
StartYourEngines
Tarmac Traveler
Yeah, the gearbox of current F1 cars is an incredible piece of technology. Further, it has to last a LOT.
Concerning the gearbox of the FZERO, I don't know if it employs or not seamless shifting. All is known is that it is a 8-speed unit and that they could not meet their technical and weight targtes with any other methodology than the reported 3D-printing method.
I guess we have to wait in order to discover more about it.
Regarding the engine: well, 2004-2005 V10 F1 units were absolutely incredible, weighting like 90+ kg and revving up to 19-20'000 rpms.
However, the V10 of the FZERO:
- Has a higher displacement (4.0 liters vs 3.0 liters)
- Has direct injection (and probably turbulent jet ignition as well)
- Revs to a "much lower" 10k rpm redline
- Will come both naturally aspirated (with 700+ bhp) and turbocharged
- Under turbocharged conditions, it will have to be able to sustain a power output up to 1600 ps
- It must last a lot (from what I get, at least (if not probably more) than the 3000 miles of the FZED)
All in all, if you consider all of these constraints, I believe that a weight of 125 kg really sounds mighty impressive.
StartYourEngines
Tarmac Traveler
3D printed, 1/8 scale model of the upcoming FZero.
hoffmeister_fan
Kraftwagen König
Holy Batmobile, Batman! @TheNewBATMAN, are you going to stand for this copyright infringement?3D printed, 1/8 scale model of the upcoming FZero.
StartYourEngines
Tarmac Traveler
The FZero is officialy heading to production.
Numbers are mind blowing, just a recap:
- Single seater with closed cockpit and covered wheels
- 698 kg wet weight
- V10 4.0 L, 10'000 rpm (just 132 kg of weight) + smally hybrid assistance for a total of almost 1200 hp (but could be even more...)
- 4000 kg of downforce at 300 km/h
- Carbon-carbon brakes
- Custom made Avon race tyres
Small reminder: the FZed (single-seater with 675 hp for little more than 600 kg eligible for the BOSS GP series) is faster at Donington than the V10 Benetton B197 F1 car.
Still, compared to the FZero the FZed should going to be child's play.
Let's see if they manage to make the FZero really work as intended and promised.
If so, we are all in for a memorable blast.
Numbers are mind blowing, just a recap:
- Single seater with closed cockpit and covered wheels
- 698 kg wet weight
- V10 4.0 L, 10'000 rpm (just 132 kg of weight) + smally hybrid assistance for a total of almost 1200 hp (but could be even more...)
- 4000 kg of downforce at 300 km/h
- Carbon-carbon brakes
- Custom made Avon race tyres
Small reminder: the FZed (single-seater with 675 hp for little more than 600 kg eligible for the BOSS GP series) is faster at Donington than the V10 Benetton B197 F1 car.
Still, compared to the FZero the FZed should going to be child's play.
Let's see if they manage to make the FZero really work as intended and promised.
If so, we are all in for a memorable blast.
Jonathan19
Premium+
Rodin Cars FZero Prototype lights up the track!
The FZERO rolling onto the brand’s own test track represents a huge milestone not only for the FZERO project but also for Rodin Cars as a whole.
Having successfully developed the FZED open-wheel, single- seat track car, Rodin Cars’ next project, the FZERO, is magnitudes more ambitious.
The FZERO project has been designed and developed from Rodin Cars’ state-of-the-art facility near Mount Lyford on New Zealand’s incredibly beautiful South Island. The facility 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 twin-turbocharged V10, is David Dicker; technology billionaire and keen racer.
Mr Dicker personally took to the wheel of the FZERO forits first outing and was very impressed with the car’sperformance and durability; “While there’s a long roadahead of testing and development, running the FZERO forthe first time gives me immense pride in what everyoneat Rodin Cars has achieved in bringing this programmeto life. The test went very well and we were able to workthrough our programme. We’re excited as the FZEROproject enters its next phase. It really is a car like noother.”
After several installation laps, the FZERO returned to the Rodin Cars’ pit complex for a debrief and systems check, before the hypercar took to the circuit again to run throughout the remainder of the day, recording the first of many important development kilometres.
Many of the staff at Rodin Cars lined the circuit during their lunch break to catch a glimpse of the FZERO in action. Of the experience, Emma Duncan, Rodin Cars General Manager said, “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 FZERO hypercar promises outrageous levels of performance and dynamism, and will challenge established track-only hypercars from Aston Martin, Gordon Murray Automotive and Mercedes-AMG. The primary focus of the FZERO is to deliver a driving experience like no other, tapping into the raw emotion of speed and visceral performance.
The FZERO is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V10 engine designed by Rodin Cars’ founder and CEO, David Dicker. This engine – known as the RC.TEN – develops 1013bhp (755kW) at 9500rpm, while only using 11psi of boost. A naturally aspirated iteration of the RC.TEN is presently in development. The RC.TEN will power the FZERO to a top speed of 360km/h.
After two prototype engines were built in the UK by Neil Brown Engineering, the RC.TEN development and manufacture has moved in-house at Rodin Cars. In a further exciting development, Rodin Cars intends to offer the RC.TEN as a crate motor for motorsport applications.
conjunction with LINK Engine Management, the Rodin Cars RC.TEN will be displayed at the Performance Racing Industry Show in Indianapolis, December 7-9.
Full specifications of the Rodin Cars FZERO and RC.TEN engine are available at rodin-cars.com
The FZERO rolling onto the brand’s own test track represents a huge milestone not only for the FZERO project but also for Rodin Cars as a whole.
Having successfully developed the FZED open-wheel, single- seat track car, Rodin Cars’ next project, the FZERO, is magnitudes more ambitious.
The FZERO project has been designed and developed from Rodin Cars’ state-of-the-art facility near Mount Lyford on New Zealand’s incredibly beautiful South Island. The facility 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 twin-turbocharged V10, is David Dicker; technology billionaire and keen racer.
Mr Dicker personally took to the wheel of the FZERO forits first outing and was very impressed with the car’sperformance and durability; “While there’s a long roadahead of testing and development, running the FZERO forthe first time gives me immense pride in what everyoneat Rodin Cars has achieved in bringing this programmeto life. The test went very well and we were able to workthrough our programme. We’re excited as the FZEROproject enters its next phase. It really is a car like noother.”
After several installation laps, the FZERO returned to the Rodin Cars’ pit complex for a debrief and systems check, before the hypercar took to the circuit again to run throughout the remainder of the day, recording the first of many important development kilometres.
Many of the staff at Rodin Cars lined the circuit during their lunch break to catch a glimpse of the FZERO in action. Of the experience, Emma Duncan, Rodin Cars General Manager said, “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 FZERO hypercar promises outrageous levels of performance and dynamism, and will challenge established track-only hypercars from Aston Martin, Gordon Murray Automotive and Mercedes-AMG. The primary focus of the FZERO is to deliver a driving experience like no other, tapping into the raw emotion of speed and visceral performance.
The FZERO is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V10 engine designed by Rodin Cars’ founder and CEO, David Dicker. This engine – known as the RC.TEN – develops 1013bhp (755kW) at 9500rpm, while only using 11psi of boost. A naturally aspirated iteration of the RC.TEN is presently in development. The RC.TEN will power the FZERO to a top speed of 360km/h.
After two prototype engines were built in the UK by Neil Brown Engineering, the RC.TEN development and manufacture has moved in-house at Rodin Cars. In a further exciting development, Rodin Cars intends to offer the RC.TEN as a crate motor for motorsport applications.
conjunction with LINK Engine Management, the Rodin Cars RC.TEN will be displayed at the Performance Racing Industry Show in Indianapolis, December 7-9.
Full specifications of the Rodin Cars FZERO and RC.TEN engine are available at rodin-cars.com
Revvd
Meister Mechaniker
It's great to finally see this amazing project move under its own power!
If it wasn't for those massive side fins holding the wing, the bulging front fenders would look awfully disbalanced. They still obstruct vision for no apparent reason, but visually it all works pretty well. It reminds me of Allard J2X-C.
The front wing is pretty flat compared to the rear end, but I guess that's gonna change as they develop it further.
If it wasn't for those massive side fins holding the wing, the bulging front fenders would look awfully disbalanced. They still obstruct vision for no apparent reason, but visually it all works pretty well. It reminds me of Allard J2X-C.
The front wing is pretty flat compared to the rear end, but I guess that's gonna change as they develop it further.
StartYourEngines
Tarmac Traveler
It's many years that I've been following this project.
I am happy for the Rodin team, because it's not easy task to carry out such work with a small number of persons.
They did build up their knowledge with the FZed first (ex Lotus project), which is an open-wheeler that can be on average faster than F2 race cars.
They support top tier racing drivers like Liam Lawson (F1 and Super Formula skilled young racer) and they truly committed themselves into the in-house development of their facility and of the FZero during the years.
Now that the car is finally out on track, there is of course a lot of testing, reliability checks and overall fine tuning that must to be done to provide the final package (both in terms of performance and overall refinement), but surely this already is a great achievement for them.
On paper, power, downforce, weight and mechanical grip of the FZero should be more than enough to reach and even exceed F1 performance.
Let's see what they'll be able to achieve.
I am happy for the Rodin team, because it's not easy task to carry out such work with a small number of persons.
They did build up their knowledge with the FZed first (ex Lotus project), which is an open-wheeler that can be on average faster than F2 race cars.
They support top tier racing drivers like Liam Lawson (F1 and Super Formula skilled young racer) and they truly committed themselves into the in-house development of their facility and of the FZero during the years.
Now that the car is finally out on track, there is of course a lot of testing, reliability checks and overall fine tuning that must to be done to provide the final package (both in terms of performance and overall refinement), but surely this already is a great achievement for them.
On paper, power, downforce, weight and mechanical grip of the FZero should be more than enough to reach and even exceed F1 performance.
Let's see what they'll be able to achieve.
Revvd
Meister Mechaniker
I'm trying to make sense of the turbo setup... Is this how this thing works?
Turbos outside the center fuselage, air-to-air intercoolers on top of the engine and the plumbing for hot compressed air running parallel to the headers.
Not sure if this is even feasible with the roof scoop being so small.
And where is the main radiator??
Turbos outside the center fuselage, air-to-air intercoolers on top of the engine and the plumbing for hot compressed air running parallel to the headers.
Not sure if this is even feasible with the roof scoop being so small.
And where is the main radiator??
Revvd
Meister Mechaniker
I kept wondering what these pushrod rocker stoppers were, until I noticed how little clearance there is between the lower wishbone and the aero cover... or barge board, whatever you wanna call it.
It seems to be a sort of suspension droop limiter to prevent those parts coming into contact.
It seems to be a sort of suspension droop limiter to prevent those parts coming into contact.
Bridster
Oversteer Expert
I think you got that right. The main radiators are almost certainly in the rear wheel arches as well. The roof scoop could easily get bigger during development if needed.I'm trying to make sense of the turbo setup... Is this how this thing works?
Turbos outside the center fuselage, air-to-air intercoolers on top of the engine and the plumbing for hot compressed air running parallel to the headers.
Not sure if this is even feasible with the roof scoop being so small.
And where is the main radiator??
It's quite the ingenious setup to keep the center of the car slim and have the maximum of clear air reach the main and beam wings. With covers on front and rear wheels there is no need to worry about creating outwash as they need to do in F1.
Of course, some problems also come to mind. Like the exhaust headers getting white hot and frying everything in their vicinity. I think it's not gonna be a trivial job to add enough anti-rad protection while keeping the section aerodynamic. Also with the turbo being so far away it means you lose some energy and the lag gets worse, but that's probably not the biggest problem on a race car. It also adds some weight and the weight distribution is moved away from the center, but the aero gains should more than make up for that.
I am also not sure about the exhaust pipe exiting right next to the rear wheel. I have never seen that on any race car - and probably for a good reason. I don't get how they plan to handle the heat from the pipe affecting the rear tire.
Revvd
Meister Mechaniker
With such large area of the bodywork, they probably could have used flat surface radiators. An idea which Gordon Murray unsuccessfully tried to implement on BT46.
It would have made it that much cooler
It's probably just a temporary solution. On some photos of the prototype, there's an exhaust sticking out through the top of the fender.
StartYourEngines
Tarmac Traveler
Side exhaust pipes are just a temporary placeholder for the FZero prototype, the final car will have pipes sticking out like literal cannons on top of the rear wheel arches.
Being said that, there were plenty of top-spec, legendary race/championship winning sport prototypes race cars having their exhaust pipes exiting right next to their rear wheels: Mazda 787B, Sauber C9, Sauber C11, Jaguar XJR-14, Toyota 88C-V.. and I could go on and on.
So, that would really be nothing new in the end.
Bridster
Oversteer Expert
It's fine if there is a thermal barrier... but the FZero has the pipe literally next to the tire with no barrier - which none of the cars you listed have.Side exhaust pipes are just a temporary placeholder for the FZero prototype, the final car will have pipes sticking out like literal cannons on top of the rear wheel arches.
Being said that, there were plenty of top-spec, legendary race/championship winning sport prototypes race cars having their exhaust pipes exiting right next to their rear wheels: Mazda 787B, Sauber C9, Sauber C11, Jaguar XJR-14, Toyota 88C-V.. and I could go on and on.
So, that would really be nothing new in the end.
WBarnes
Subscriber
RC.TEN | Unparalleled Performance | V10 Engine
There’s nothing like it! Explore the features of the exceptional Rodin FC.TEN engine on the official Rodin Cars website.
www.rodin-cars.com
Revvd
Meister Mechaniker
It was built by Neil Brown Engineering in UK. They seem to have lots of experience with competition engines for DTM, F3 and BTCC.
I wonder what the plan is for the NA version. Maybe a less batshit crazy model to come in the future?
