Hypercar Maker Abandons SUV And GT Plans

Czinger is betting everything on its flagship, preparing upgrades that could redefine its performance and keep it relevant for years

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Czinger, a niche American automaker known for supplying parts to Bugatti and other high-end brands, has decided to shelve its plans for a radical Hyper GT and a 1,200-plus horsepower SUV. Instead, the company will concentrate on refining its existing 21C hypercar.

The move might disappoint clients hoping for a US-built rival to the Koenigsegg Gemera or Lamborghini Urus, but for a manufacturer of Czinger’s size, it is hardly unexpected.

Read: The Czinger 21C Has Already Reclaimed The Laguna Seca Lap Record From Koenigsegg

The company initially presented its Hyper GT and SUV concepts with the same high-revving 2.88-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine as the 21C. Initial plans call for 1,000 units of both the GT and the SUV to be produced at the firm’s headquarters in Los Angeles. However, newly-appointed CCO George Biggs says both projects have been axed, noting it could be “tricky” to chase market trends.

Staying focused on a clear vision

“If you look at the portfolio, the Czinger brand needs to be something that is very high-end that has a sustainability to it,” he told Autocar. “And I think if you want to chase the market trends [such as the current demand for SUVs], you’re going to find it tricky over the long term.”

He pointed out that luxury brands with a consistent, well-defined vision over the past 15 years have seen the most success. In the hypercar space, Czinger aims to bring a distinct philosophy and design approach, then expand in ways that make sense for its customers.

Why smaller brands skip SUVs

While it makes a lot of sense for companies like Ferrari and Lamborghini to venture into the world of GTs and SUVs, smaller manufacturers have shown they don’t need to follow suit. For example, you don’t see Pagani, Rimac, or Bugatti building high-powered four-seaters or SUVs. The Gemera is an exception for Koenigsegg, although the Swedish brand remains primarily focused on its two-seat hypercars.

Moving forward, Czinger will double down on its commitment to the 21C. Biggs says it can be updated with new iterations for the next decade, perhaps including ones that ditch the jet fighter-inspired seats in favor of a “more traditional seating arrangement.” A model with even more performance than the 21C V-Max is also a possibility.