Rodin Cars Reveals FZED Single-Seater
Rodin Cars has revealed a series of single-seater track cars built in New Zealand, aimed at rivaling modern-era Grand Prix cars.
Powered by the Cosworth GPV8, which is based on the Cosworth XG that earned its stripes in the Indy Racing League circuit, the FZED will deliver 675 bhp at 9,600 rpm. Peak torque is 361 ft. lbs. at 7,600 rpm, while the redline is 10,000 rpm.
The Rodin FZED can accelerate to 100 mph in just 5.0 seconds and boasts a top speed of 186 mph. The entire car weighs just 1,342 lbs., excluding the driver.
The Rodin FZED has been readied for sale by Rodin Cars’ Australian founder and Ferrari Challenge class champion David Dicker.
Rodin Cars has its own test track and R&D facility in New Zealand, where they developed the FZED from the Lotus T125.
The FZED uses a carbon-fiber composite chassis and aero package made in Italy by HP Composites, suppliers to European manufacturers and race teams, while its floor features an IndyCar style tunnel, rather than the flat floors used in Grand Prix racing.
The 3.8-liter, 32-valve Cosworth engine mates to a six-speed sequential gearbox from Ricardo, while the carbon-carbon brakes are supplied by Alcon. The high-level four-way adjustable TTX-40 racing dampers are from Öhlins.
The exhaust and muffler system were designed by Rodin and developed in-house from 3D-printed titanium and features a titanium nitride Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating.
The FZED uses 13-inch diameter magnesium wheels from Italy’s OZ Racing, shod with tires from specialist British motorsport supplier Avon.
The car has been fettled and finished by Rodin’s team of engineers, who have fabricated many parts at the company’s facility.
The titanium 3D-printed steering wheel for the Rodin FZED also has been designed in-house, as have the composite seats, which will be custom fitted for each owner and paired with FIA-approved seatbelts.
The first five Rodin FZED vehicles are currently being assembled. All five will be painted in black and gold in line with Rodin Cars’ corporate identity, although customers can specify their own body paint finish on request.
The cars will be eligible for entry into the Formula Libre series in their home country of New Zealand and also have been accepted into the field of the BOSS series in Europe. The company anticipates that the FZED will be eligible for amateur open-wheel racing anywhere in the world.
“The beauty of the Rodin FZED is that you get the Grand Prix experience: the speed, the power, the downforce and cornering grip, in a package that has been designed for easy access and reliable performance,” Dicker added. “The body uses composite materials and a suspension system very similar to modern Grand Prix cars, and the aerodynamic package is also very contemporary.”
