The Smoking Tire Podcast: Driving the 1,250HP Czinger 21C VMax

Episode Date: September 11, 2025 Hosts: Matt Farah & Zack Klapman

Episode Overview

In this episode, Matt and Zack share their intensely fresh impressions of the Czinger 21C VMax—a 1,250HP hybrid hypercar and one of the wildest vehicles Matt has ever driven. The hosts break down what sets the 21C apart from everything else in the hypercar world: from its unique fighter-jet design ethos to groundbreaking 3D printing technology. They also compare it to established heavyweights (Bugatti Chiron, Koenigsegg), discuss what it takes to drive such a car, and answer a wide range of listener questions. There's also a recounting of a marathon Porsche 911 road trip and some hilarious tales of customer service fails.

Main Segments & Timestamps

• [00:00–02:15] – Introductions and playful banter
• [02:15–13:49] – First driving impressions of the Czinger 21C VMax
• [13:49–16:35] – How it feels on the road/canyons vs. other hypercars
• [20:13–21:54] – Cabin experience and ergonomics
• [22:00–27:47] – 3D printing technology & manufacturing innovation
• [27:47–34:05] – Track records, comparison to racecars and reliability
• [34:05–44:07] – Usability, unique sounds, ergonomics for drivers/passengers
• [44:07–46:54] – Road trip stories: Porsche 911 across the Smokies
• [49:20–59:29] – Epic valet fail; Karma at the Porsche Experience Center
• [60:02–63:32] – Porsche Classic Center, Carrera GT, and resto culture
• [63:28–66:16] – Listener car projects: BMW wins & home repairs
• [66:26–81:13] – Extensive patron Q&A: cars, watches, market advice & more
• [92:31–97:50] – New Testarossa, design opinions, and TT concept talk
• [99:52–101:43] – Whimsy in modern cars and best sub-$100k options
• [102:11–end] – Two-car road trip solutions, show wrap-up, and call to patrons

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Czinger 21C VMax: Not Just Another (Super)car

• Genuine novelty: Matt and Zack note how rare it is for a hypercar to break entirely new ground. The Czinger is “fighter jet” in inspiration, both aesthetically and functionally.

• Center-seat configuration: Compared to McLaren F1, T50, and Speedtail but with a purpose-built, tighter feel—truly tandem, not just “three across.”

• Engine notes: The Czinger’s 2.88L twin-turbo V8 with three e-motors (1,250hp combined) is a technical marvel: “Maybe the smoothest engine I've ever felt” – Matt [05:30].

  “If you said this was a fully electric car with a soundtrack of a tiny made-up little engine, I'd believe you. Because it's so smooth, so fast, and honestly, so quiet.” – Zach [07:12]

• Revving past 10,000rpm: Matt describes the thrill of hitting 10,750rpm, a first for him in a car.

• Drivability: The Czinger is less forgiving than a Bugatti—it's weapons-grade, sharp, and “so not for amateurs.” Requires “manhandling” and offers a formula-car-like experience.

  “Bugatti would never put a steering ratio this fast in a car. This is more like a formula car... This is the Chiron of BAC Monos.” – Matt [13:37]

• Size & packaging: Feels narrow despite wide actual dimensions; easy to place, less intimidating than other 1000hp+ cars.

• Ride & comfort: Stiff, but seats are surprisingly comfortable and the glass canopy makes the cabin open and pleasant (for the driver, at least).

3D Printing: Manufacturing Revolution

• Innovative construction: Many major subframes, suspension arms, hubs, and other components are 3D printed for optimal strength and minimal weight. Enables shapes and hollows impossible via traditional methods.

• Design language: These parts have a bone-like, organic look—both functional and visually striking.

  “If you just Google ‘Czinger 3D printed subframe’… [it] has material exactly where it needs to and is hollow exactly where it needs to be.” – Matt [23:15]

• Website v. reality: The buzzwords (“AI-driven,” etc.) sound like hype, but the actual product impresses.

  “You read the website and you go, ‘this all sounds like the jargoniest thing’... and then you drive the car and you're like, ‘Oh, that's what he meant.’ ” – Matt [25:56]

Lap Records & Real-World Performance

• Track monster: The Czinger 21C Blackbird (high-downforce variant) set five California lap records in five days—clear demonstration of reliability and sheer speed.
• Comparable cars & speed: Paces with Daytona Prototype racecars on lap times; likely the fastest road car Matt has ever driven except (possibly) versus the Rimac Nevera in a straight line.

Sounds, Ergonomics & Everyday Usability

• Strangely quiet: Aero and mechanical noise are unique, “stealthy.” The cabin never gets raucously loud, even at speed.

• Controls: Real tactile buttons, not touch panels. Clever HVAC vents, big pillarless windows, and minimal buffeting with windows down.

• Ingress/egress: Can be “hard,” especially for the back seat—which is more “silly” than practical. Passengers sit with feet on either side of the driver, and the seating is best suited for the athletic (or brave).

  “The back seat is kind of silly, but it’s there… I felt like I was on a motorcycle because when we were in the corners, I was leaning and looking around you.” – Zach [43:12]

• Transmission innovation: E-motor fills torque gap in single-clutch shifts, making it feel as refined as a dual-clutch.

  “This car taught me that an E motor in the flywheel solves the single clutch problem. Because this drives like a dual clutch… that's crazy.” – Matt [38:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On experiencing something genuinely new:

  “I've never really driven anything like it at all. And that made it very, very exciting.” – Matt [02:17]

• On hypercar culture:

  “This is the one where I'm finally like, oh man… this—for that kind of money, I could see this being a just completely different experience from all 20 of the other cars in your garage.” – Matt [30:06]

• On the unique chassis:

  “It all has this organic stretched sinew kind of look, which is rad.” – Zach [24:57]

• On seat time in a passenger’s perspective:

  “I was leaning and looking around you to see where we’re going… I felt like I was in a spaceship.” – Zach [43:16]

• On hypercar lap records:

  “It did a 1:24 at Laguna. That’s crazy… This is possibly the fastest car I’ve ever driven.” – Matt [28:48]

Additional Podcast Highlights

Road Trip Recap: 911 Carrera S Across the Smokies ([44:07–46:54])

• Matt did 950 miles in four days through the Blue Ridge Mountains: “The Carrera S is the best road-tripping 911 and probably the best for every day as well… [It’s] just great as a car.” [46:54]

Epic Valet Fail in Nashville ([49:20–59:29])

• The hosts recount a comedic, infuriating experience with a valet “imprisoning” Matt’s borrowed Porsche. Ends with being offered a 918 Spyder at the Porsche Experience Center—a happy twist.

Porsche Classic Restorations ([60:02–63:32])

• Detailed, expensive Porsche Carrera GT restos happening at the Classic Center; color changes/customizations.

Listener Q&A: Top Highlights

• Whimsical new cars under $100k: ID. Buzz, Volkswagen Manx, Morgan, Caterham.
• Best “two-car” road trip solution for golf/smoky mountain combo: “Someone brings a wagon or GT sedan like an RS6, CT5-Blackwing, or Panamera Sport Turismo to haul, other brings a sports car.”
• Market deep-dives: AMG choices for $90k, B6 S4 wagon advice, Porsche 911 Carrera S used prices, and watch recommendations for milestone purchases.
• Most "nerd culture" car brand?: Pre-war Concours cars and their obsessed judges.

Design Opinions: Ferrari Testarossa Revival ([92:31–97:44])

• Both Zack and Matt agree the new car looks busy and awkward—much less elegant than Ferrari’s best recent designs:

  “They’ve just, like, put bits of other cars together in… a haphazard way.” – Matt [94:00] “My favorite Ferrari designs are always the really clean ones… this just looks like a bunch of stuff.” – Zach [94:43]

Closing Thoughts

• Czinger 21C VMax stands apart: The consensus is clear—this car is not just another “incremental” hypercar but a radically new experience both in technology and feel.
• Matt & Zack re-energized: “This being a new departure… I was excited all day. I was excited just to be in its presence, and that hasn’t happened around hypercars in a long time.” – Zack [40:35]
• Patron support matters: Hosts remind listeners that Patreon support is the best way to help keep the show going.

Summary Table: Czinger 21C VMax At a Glance

| Feature | Details | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | Engine | 2.88L twin-turbo V8 + three electric motors | | Total Power | 1,250 HP (950 ICE, 300 electric) | | Redline | up to 11,000 RPM | | Weight | ~2900 lbs dry, <3500 lbs wet | | Layout | Center seat, tandem, fighter-jet canopy | | Construction | Extensive use of 3D printed chassis/suspension components | | Driving Experience | Sharp, intense, requires full attention | | Comfort | Surprising—especially for the driver, challenging for passenger | | Market Position | Unique, not another “incremental” hypercar |

Episode Takeaways

• The Czinger 21C VMax is a genuine leap forward in car design, both in terms of its technology and the experience it offers behind the wheel.
• 3D printing allows for new levels of weight optimization and design freedom, even if the web copy sometimes oversells it.
• In a landscape filled with powerful but similar hypercars, the Czinger stands out with real innovation and a uniquely daunting thrill factor.

Whether you’re obsessed with lap records, interested in next-gen manufacturing, or just love hearing about wild cars—this episode is a must-listen.

For more insights, full details, and driving footage, check the TST YouTube channel and tune in for the next episode!