Lukas Czinger: The Visionary Engineer Behind the Hypercar Revolution
Innovation in the automotive industry has long been defined by incremental improvements—tweaks to aerodynamics, marginal gains in fuel efficiency, and the occasional radical redesign. But few have dared to reimagine the very DNA of car manufacturing itself. Enter Lukas Czinger, Founder, President & CEO of Czinger Vehicles and Divergent Technologies, a visionary who is rewriting the rules of high-performance automotive engineering.
At just 30 years old, Czinger stands at the helm of a manufacturing revolution, one that merges AI-driven design, 3D printing, and robotic assembly to craft the world’s most advanced hypercars. The 21C, Czinger Vehicles' flagship hypercar, is a masterpiece of precision engineering—lighter, faster, and more sustainable than anything before it. But the ambition behind Czinger and Divergent extends far beyond automotive luxury. Czinger envisions a future where adaptive manufacturing transforms entire industries, reducing environmental impact while pushing the boundaries of human innovation.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into Czinger’s journey—from his early inspirations to the groundbreaking patents that underpin his company’s success. We explore how he and his father, Kevin Czinger, are disrupting a century-old industry and what the future holds for a manufacturing revolution that could change the world.
Reinventing Automotive Manufacturing
Carece Slaughter: Czinger Vehicles has been a disruptor in the hypercar industry, particularly with the 21C. What inspired you and your father to tackle automotive manufacturing from a new angle, using 3D printing and AI optimization? How did this vision evolve from Divergent to Czinger Vehicles?
Lukas Czinger: My father and I started this business close to a decade ago, and it was born out of a shared vision—to create something enduring. I studied electrical engineering at Yale and worked in investment banking before diving into this venture. My father had been involved in electric vehicle innovation before, and through those experiences, we saw the immense inefficiencies in traditional automotive manufacturing.
The capital intensity of legacy car manufacturing—billions poured into massive, inflexible factories—left little room for innovation. We asked ourselves: What if we could start from a blank slate? What if we could design, manufacture, and assemble cars with a fundamentally new approach?
Divergent Technologies was the answer. It’s not just about making better cars—it’s about reinventing the entire process. We developed a design software and a full-system manufacturing platform, combining AI-driven generative design with additive manufacturing (3D printing) and robotic assembly. Czinger Vehicles was born within Divergent as an expression of that technology—a way to push the system to its limits with the world’s most advanced hypercar.
We’re not just designing cars—we’re re-engineering the entire manufacturing process, making it faster, more precise, and significantly more sustainable
Lukas Czinger
Engineering Breakthroughs and a Patent Portfolio That’s Changing the Game
CS: You currently hold close to 60 patents, with the two companies surpassing 600—many of which are reshaping the very foundation of automotive engineering. Can you share insights into the most pivotal innovations and their impact on the industry?
LC: Our approach has been to solve problems that didn’t have known solutions. That’s why our patents exist—they are born from necessity.
One of the most fundamental breakthroughs is in robotic assembly and precision control. Traditional automotive manufacturing relies on repeatability, meaning robots are programmed to follow exact movements. But we prioritize accuracy over repeatability, allowing us to use AI-driven programming to achieve 20 times higher precision than standard robotics.
Another key innovation is in materials science. We don’t use traditional welding—our structures are adhesively bonded, making them lighter and stronger. We even developed a UV-curable adhesive that cuts curing time from 60 seconds to 2-3 seconds while doubling the strength. These breakthroughs allow us to produce high-performance, aerospace-grade structures at a fraction of the weight and environmental impact.
Performance, Sustainability, and the Future of Hypercars
CS: The 21C has set multiple track records, cementing itself as the fastest street-legal hypercar. What challenges did you face in blending performance with sustainability?
LC: Sustainability has been a core principle of our mission from the start. Our design and manufacturing process alone reduces energy consumption by 30% compared to traditional methods. Because our chassis are 20-40% lighter, they require significantly less raw material—the most direct way to improve sustainability.
From a performance standpoint, the 21C is a hybrid hypercar, combining EV motors with a highly efficient V8 that meets California’s stringent CARB emissions standards. We’ve also developed our engine to run on net-zero fuels, meaning it can operate with a completely neutral carbon footprint.
At the same time, Czinger Vehicles serves as a proving ground for technology that will eventually trickle down into mainstream production. For example, we developed a next-generation integrated brake and suspension system, which is 30% lighter than anything else on the market. That technology, once scaled, will be available for high-volume manufacturers, creating an industry-wide shift toward better performance and efficiency.
Leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution
CS: You are at the helm of AI-driven and 3D-printed manufacturing. What do you see as the next major leap in automotive innovation, and how is Czinger Vehicles prepared to lead that charge?
LC: The future is in net-zero fuels and adaptive manufacturing. While electric vehicles are important, the energy density of carbon-recycled methanol and other synthetic fuels offers a more sustainable long-term solution.
On the manufacturing side, we’re building a network of fully adaptive, decentralized factories—each capable of producing multiple vehicle types and aerospace components without downtime or retooling. Imagine a world where small teams or even individual engineers can design a structure, submit it to a local factory, and receive a fully manufactured part within days. That’s the future.
Commit to the result, and your best effort will follow. If you only commit to your best effort, you may never find your full potential.
Lukas Czinger
The Mindset Behind a Winning Team
CS: You’ve entered your 30s as the CEO of two groundbreaking companies. How do you manage the dual roles of running a cutting-edge manufacturing company and a performance car brand?
LC: I’ve always believed that decision-making is the most critical skill of leadership. About five years ago, I set a personal goal to become one of the best decision-makers in the world. That requires a structured approach:
Getting the right information.
Analyzing that information effectively.
Executing decisions efficiently.
Beyond that, I focus on building a team of leaders. Each executive at Czinger and Divergent is capable of running a company in their own right. That level of talent and accountability ensures that our operations remain seamlessly integrated and always moving forward.
Final Thoughts: A Vision That Scales Beyond Automotive
As the conversation draws to a close, it’s clear that Lukas Czinger is not just designing hypercars—he’s engineering a new industrial paradigm. His vision extends far beyond the 21C, encompassing a future where adaptive, AI-driven manufacturing democratizes production across industries.
“We are on a mission,” Czinger says with conviction. “Every member of our team wakes up knowing exactly how today’s work contributes to our long-term goals. That clarity creates conviction, and conviction breeds commitment.”
With Czinger Vehicles breaking records and Divergent Technologies laying the foundation for a new era of manufacturing, one thing is certain: the future of automotive innovation is already here—and it has Lukas Czinger’s name on it.