Kevin Czinger: The Architect of the Printable Car

Kevin Czinger is the founder of Divergent 3D and Czinger Vehicles. A former federal prosecutor and Goldman Sachs executive, he is revolutionizing manufacturing through AI and 3D printing. His creation, the Czinger 21C, is a hypercar designed by algorithms and printed from metal, proving that the future of auto manufacturing requires no factories.

The Anti-Factory Visionary

Kevin Czinger is arguably the most radical thinker in modern automotive manufacturing. Unlike Elon Musk or RJ Scaringe, Czinger isn't just trying to change the fuel source; he wants to delete the factory. After the failure of his previous electric car company, Coda Automotive, Czinger realized the problem wasn't the car, but the inflexible, expensive "hard tooling" required to build it.

Inventing a New System

He founded Divergent 3D to solve this. His solution is the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS). Instead of giant stamping presses, DAPS uses 3D printing (additive manufacturing) to build complex chassis nodes that are connected by carbon fiber tubes. This allows a factory to switch from building a truck to a sports car in minutes, simply by changing the software code.

Designed by AI, Printed in Metal

Czinger's most striking innovation is the use of Generative Design. Engineers don't draw the parts; they input the load requirements (forces, weight, attachment points) into an AI, and the AI generates the part. The results look like alien bones—organic, efficient, and impossible to manufacture with traditional methods. These parts are then printed in proprietary aluminum alloys.

The Czinger 21C

To prove this technology wasn't vaporware, Kevin founded Czinger Vehicles and built the 21C. It is a tandem-seat (fighter jet style) hypercar with 1,250 horsepower. The 21C shattered the production car lap record at Laguna Seca, beating the McLaren Senna. For Czinger, the car is just a trojan horse; the real product is the manufacturing system that built it, which he now supplies to major OEMs like Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Kevin Czinger and how is he disrupting the automotive industry in 2026?

<p><strong>Kevin Czinger</strong> is an American inventor, entrepreneur, and the founder of <strong>Czinger Vehicles</strong> and <strong>Divergent Technologies</strong>. As of 2026, he is recognized as the pioneer of the first fully digital manufacturing system for high-performance vehicles. His mission is to replace traditional, environmentally taxing stamping and tooling processes with <strong>AI-driven design</strong> and 3D printing, aiming to make car manufacturing as sustainable as the fuels that power them.</p>

What is the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) developed by Kevin Czinger?

<p>The <strong>Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS)</strong> is Kevin Czinger’s core innovation. It is an end-to-end software-hardware platform that utilizes <strong>artificial intelligence</strong> to computationally engineer vehicle structures, which are then 3D-printed using proprietary metal alloys and assembled by high-speed robotics. In 2026, DAPS is used not only for hypercars but also as a subcontracting tool for major <abbr title="Original Equipment Manufacturers">OEMs</abbr> and defense contractors to reduce weight and production waste.</p>

What are the 2026 performance specs of the Czinger 21C V Max?

<p>In 2026, the <strong>Czinger 21C V Max</strong> stands as a benchmark for American hybrid hypercars. Key specifications include:</p><ul><li><strong>Top Speed:</strong> 253 mph (407 km/h) in its low-drag configuration.</li><li><strong>Acceleration:</strong> 0-60 mph in a blistering <strong>1.9 seconds</strong>.</li><li><strong>Powertrain:</strong> A 2.88L twin-turbo V8 paired with two electric front motors, producing <strong>1,250 hp</strong>.</li><li><strong>Redline:</strong> A staggering 11,000 <abbr title="Revolutions Per Minute">RPM</abbr>.</li></ul>

How does Kevin Czinger’s background influence his business approach?

<p>Kevin Czinger’s path to automotive leadership is highly unconventional. He was an <strong>All-Ivy linebacker at Yale</strong> (described as the toughest player in his coach’s 32-year tenure), a U.S. Marine, a federal prosecutor, and an investment banker at <strong>Goldman Sachs</strong>. This diverse background in discipline, law, and high finance allows him to navigate the complex regulatory and capital-intensive hurdles of the 2026 automotive market while maintaining a "grit-first" engineering culture.</p>

What is the seating arrangement in the Czinger 21C?

<p>Inspired by jet fighter cockpits, Kevin Czinger designed the 21C with a unique <strong>inline (1+1) seating arrangement</strong>. The passenger sits directly behind the driver in the center of the car. This design choice minimizes the frontal area for superior aerodynamics and provides the driver with a perfectly symmetrical, panoramic view of the road, enhancing the "pilot" experience that the brand is known for.</p>

Why does Kevin Czinger believe 3D printing is better for the environment?

<p>Kevin Czinger argues that the "tailpipe emissions" focus is only half the battle. He believes <strong>manufacturing footprints</strong> are the hidden environmental cost of cars. His 3D-printing process eliminates massive steel stamping factories and direct tooling, reducing material waste and energy consumption. Furthermore, the 3D-printed components are <strong>fully recyclable</strong>; at the end of a vehicle's life, the metal can be "re-atomized" and reprinted into a new structure, promoting a circular economy.</p>

What major track records does the Czinger 21C hold as of 2026?

<p>As of early 2026, the Czinger 21C holds several prestigious titles, including the <strong>production car lap record</strong> at <strong>Laguna Seca</strong> (1:24.75) and the fastest production car hill climb at the <strong>Goodwood Festival of Speed</strong>. These records, achieved under Kevin and his son Lukas Czinger’s direction, serve as "real-world" proof that AI-designed and 3D-printed structures can outperform traditionally manufactured vehicles from legacy brands like McLaren and Porsche.</p>

What was Kevin Czinger’s role at Coda Automotive?

<p>Before founding Czinger Vehicles, Kevin was the CEO of <strong>Coda Automotive</strong>, an early pioneer in the modern electric vehicle movement. While Coda eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2013, the experience was pivotal for Czinger. It led him to realize that the traditional "Budd steel process" of manufacturing was the primary bottleneck for innovation, ultimately inspiring him to found <strong>Divergent</strong> and invent a digital production system from scratch.</p>

How is Kevin Czinger involved in the US Defense industry?

<p>Through his company <strong>Divergent Technologies</strong>, Kevin Czinger has become a key partner for the <strong>U.S. Department of Defense</strong>. His digital manufacturing system (DAPS) allows for the rapid prototyping and production of drone swarms and missile components. In 2026, he advocates for a <strong>"Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network,"</strong> where a network of commercial 3D-printing factories can be instantly pivoted to support national defense needs during times of crisis.</p>

What is the relationship between Kevin and Lukas Czinger?

<p>Kevin Czinger operates the business in a close-knit partnership with his son, <strong>Lukas Czinger</strong>, who serves as the Co-Founder and CEO of Czinger Vehicles. While Kevin provides the overarching vision and intellectual property, Lukas is responsible for the strategic and operational execution. This <strong>father-son duo</strong> is often compared to the legendary family partnerships of early automotive history, representing a 21<sup>st</sup>-century evolution of American industrial leadership.</p>