Rodin Cars, the brainchild of New Zealand tech mogul David Dicker, is making waves in the automotive world. Named after the famed artist behind “The Thinker,” Rodin started as Dicker’s ambitious passion project to create the ultimate high-performance, track-only vehicle. Founded in 1999, the company has grown from a retirement hobby to a powerhouse in motorsport and hypercar development, offering billionaires the thrill of Formula 1-style performance.
From the FZed to the FZero
Rodin first turned heads with the Rodin FZed, a car born from the ashes of Lotus’s T125 project. The FZed featured a Formula 1-inspired chassis, partially 3D-printed and designed to offer wealthy enthusiasts a genuine track experience. Despite its extreme performance capabilities, the FZed earned praise for being “remarkably easy to drive.”
But Dicker wasn’t content with creating a car that merely rivaled F1 performance from a decade ago. He wanted something faster—much faster. Enter the Rodin FZero, an ambitious hypercar that aims to obliterate lap records. Dicker claims simulations show the FZero is capable of lapping Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit seven seconds faster than the F1 record. If proven true, this will establish the FZero as one of the fastest track cars ever built.
Rodin Steps Into Racing
Rodin has also ventured into professional racing, expanding beyond track day cars to fielding competitive teams. The company acquired Carlin Motorsport, rebranding it as Rodin Carlin, and quickly made its presence known. The team now competes in multiple racing categories, including F1 Academy, Formula 3, Formula 2, and regional Formula 4 series.
In 2023, Rodin Carlin’s efforts paid off with Abbi Pulling securing nine victories in the 15-round F1 Academy series, further cementing the company’s commitment to motorsport.
The FZero: Limited and Exclusive
Rodin plans to build only 30 examples of the FZero, with 27 units available for purchase by the public. Each car will embody Dicker’s vision of pushing the boundaries of engineering and performance. While pricing hasn’t been disclosed, it’s expected to reach multi-million-dollar levels, placing the FZero firmly in the realm of ultra-exclusive hypercars.
Dicker has also hinted at the possibility of an all-electric version of the FZero in the future, though such a model could take several years to develop. This reflects Rodin’s willingness to innovate while staying true to its performance-first ethos.
The Future of Rodin Cars
Rodin Cars isn’t just a vanity project; it’s a testament to what passion and ambition can achieve in the automotive world. With the FZero poised to set new benchmarks and a growing presence in motorsport, Rodin is redefining the limits of performance both on the track and in racing.
For those fortunate enough to afford the FZero, it offers more than a car-it’s an invitation to experience speed and engineering on a level that surpasses even Formula 1. As Dicker prepares to unleash his hypercar on the world, one thing is clear: Rodin Cars is a force to be reckoned with.
Get your checkbook ready-the future of high-performance driving is about to arrive.
