Episode 456: Guest Bradley Iger, Czinger 21C Supercar, 2026 Ram 2500 Tow Test, Benjamin Has A Bad Track Day, Bradley Talks Charger Take Two

The Czinger 21C is a track-focused hypercar from Czinger that’s known for using advanced aerodynamics and a lightweight, high-performance design. In this segment, the host and guest discuss the specific “21C” and the version they drove, including how different aero packages change downforce.

A “high downforce” version is tuned to generate more aerodynamic downforce—extra force pushing the car’s tires into the road. More downforce generally improves grip and stability at high speeds, especially in corners.

An “arrow pack” (as referenced here) appears to be an aerodynamic package for the Czinger 21C that changes the car’s airflow and downforce characteristics. In practice, aero packages like this typically include specific front/rear elements designed to increase stability and cornering grip.

Oversteer is when a car’s rear end loses grip more than the front, so the car tends to rotate toward the outside of a corner. It often shows up as the car “wants to spin” if you add steering or throttle while cornering.

Understeer is when the front tires lose grip first, so the car doesn’t turn as much as you want. The driver typically feels like the car “pushes” toward the outside of the turn.

Max downforce is a configuration optimized to generate the most aerodynamic downforce possible. More downforce increases tire grip by pushing the car harder onto the road, improving braking and cornering—especially at lower speeds.

Top speed records are attempts focused on achieving the highest possible velocity over a defined run. They typically require low drag and a setup that prioritizes straight-line efficiency over maximum cornering grip.

Center seating is a driver position where the cockpit is arranged so the driver sits in the middle rather than offset to one side. It can influence packaging and aerodynamics, helping shape the bodywork and airflow around the car.

Le Mans prototypes are purpose-built race cars designed for endurance racing at Le Mans, typically with aerodynamic bodywork and a focus on efficiency and stability over long stints. The speaker is using them as a reference point for the car’s center-seating layout and overall silhouette.

A “crazy wing” refers to an aggressive rear wing designed to produce significant downforce. In high-downforce setups, larger or more highly angled wings increase grip but can also add drag that hurts top speed.

Canards are small aerodynamic fins mounted near the front of the car, used to manage airflow and generate downforce. They can also help improve front-end balance by influencing how air moves toward the rest of the aero package.

“V max” refers to a car setup optimized for maximum top speed. In practice, that means reducing aerodynamic drag and shaping the body so airflow stays attached longer, which is why the host talks about making it “as slippery as possible.”

A wind tunnel is a testing facility where engineers measure how air flows around a vehicle. The host’s point is that the car’s shape looks like it was designed with wind-tunnel-style aerodynamics in mind—lots of careful surfaces to manage airflow.

Fairings are body panels designed to smooth airflow around the car. The host is describing how the Czinger’s fairings appear to have unusual surfaces to let air pass through in places you wouldn’t normally expect—an aerodynamic detail rather than just styling.

High-speed tracks are circuits where sustained fast running makes aerodynamic efficiency and stability especially important. The host is using this to explain why the car’s aero-heavy design makes sense for road courses rather than just commuting.

Road courses are racing circuits built around roads or road-like layouts, typically featuring repeated braking, cornering, and acceleration. The host groups them with high-speed tracks to emphasize the car’s track-focused design intent.

Single seating refers to a one-person cockpit layout rather than a two-seat arrangement. It’s often used in concept cars and some extreme supercar designs to reduce width, improve aerodynamics, and create a more focused driver environment.

This describes a cabin layout where the car has two seats but they’re arranged in a single row (not staggered like some exotic layouts). It’s a packaging choice that affects how wide the body needs to be and how the driver and passenger access the cockpit.

Door sills are the raised panels/thresholds along the bottom edge of the door opening. In low, exotic cars they can be very tall, which changes entry/exit ergonomics and can make getting in feel awkward or require stepping onto the sill.

A purpose-built car is engineered from the ground up for its intended architecture and performance goals, rather than being adapted from an existing platform. The host connects that idea to packaging constraints like battery placement and how that shapes the cabin entry and body width.

Side sills are the structural rocker-panel areas along the lower sides of a car. Placing batteries in the side sills is a packaging strategy that can protect the cells in a crash zone while also widening the cabin entry area.

Front motors are electric traction motors mounted to drive the front axle. In this setup, the battery pack is described as powering the front motors, which implies the car uses electric assistance rather than full-time electric propulsion.

Electric driving range is how far a vehicle can go using only electric power (typically measured in miles or kilometers). The host says there’s no electric driving range here, meaning the car isn’t meant to be driven like an EV for any meaningful distance.

A carbon fiber tub is the structural “shell” of a race-style car made from carbon fiber composite. It’s where the cockpit structure lives, and it provides stiffness while keeping weight down compared with traditional steel or aluminum structures.

“3D printed” here refers to additive manufacturing—building parts layer-by-layer from a digital model. In this context, it’s used to create structural components that can be shaped in ways that are hard or expensive with conventional machining or casting.

The speaker highlights that the company is 3D printing metal components, not just plastics or non-structural prototypes. Printing metal parts is generally more challenging because you need the right alloys, heat control, and post-processing to achieve strength and durability.

Divergent Technologies is the company the guest says owns Czinger and is mainly focused on 3D printing and related software development. The point is that their manufacturing approach is tied to the supercar’s hardware and how parts are designed.

An “upright for a wing” is the structural support that holds an aerodynamic wing (like a rear wing) in place. It has to resist bending and vibration while maintaining the wing’s alignment so the car’s downforce stays consistent.

Packaging constraints are the physical limits of where components can fit in the vehicle—space for the engine, cooling, occupants, crash structures, and aerodynamic hardware. When designing a hypercar, these constraints heavily influence how light and how strong the structure can be.

Subframes are smaller structural frames that mount to the main body and provide hard points for components like suspension and steering. In a carbon monocoque car, subframes must be designed carefully so they don’t weaken the main structure while still supporting suspension loads.

A carbon fiber monocoque is a vehicle body structure where the carbon-fiber shell carries the main loads, rather than relying on a separate frame. Because it’s both stiff and light, it’s common in high-end hypercars and helps enable aggressive weight optimization.

Control arms are suspension links that connect the wheel to the chassis and control wheel motion through bumps, braking, and cornering. Their geometry and stiffness strongly affect handling, and in a lightweight carbon structure they also influence how loads flow into the monocoque.

Optimization here means using engineering software to iteratively adjust part shapes and material placement to meet targets like stiffness and strength while minimizing weight. The speaker’s point is that the design becomes so finely tuned that changing mass can hurt performance.

Horsepower is a measure of engine power output, and “1,200 horsepower” indicates extremely high performance. The speaker uses it to frame how common very high-power cars have become, even before discussing this specific hypercar’s design approach.

“Aero” is short for aerodynamics—the way air flows around a car. In modern performance cars, aerodynamic design strongly influences downforce, drag, and stability, which can make different cars look more similar because they’re chasing similar airflow efficiency.

A “silhouette and profile” describe the car’s overall outer shape and how it presents to airflow. The speaker is arguing that heavy aerodynamic optimization pushes many high-power cars toward a similar-looking body shape because that shape is efficient for cutting through air.

A “zero tolerance assembly process” refers to an extremely strict manufacturing approach where parts are assembled with minimal allowable variation. The idea is that tighter fitment and alignment improve how consistently the car performs and how well it maintains optimized aerodynamics and mechanical behavior.

The Chevrolet Corvette is a performance sports car from Chevrolet, known for its strong acceleration and driver-focused design. In the podcast, it’s mentioned in the context of size/positioning versus other high-performance Corvettes, which is why it comes up when discussing how different trims compare. Corvettes are often discussed because they’re a benchmark for American sports-car performance.

3D printing (additive manufacturing) builds parts layer-by-layer from a digital model. In automotive, it’s often used for complex prototypes and some production components where custom shapes or small batches are valuable.

A tandem seating layout places the driver and passenger one behind the other instead of side-by-side. This packaging choice can improve aerodynamics and reduce frontal area, but it also constrains where the engine and other components can fit.

A 2.8-liter twin-turbo V8 is a V8 engine with two turbochargers feeding pressurized air into the cylinders. The “twin turbo” setup helps the engine make high power from a relatively small displacement, and it’s especially notable here because the speaker says it was custom-built to fit the car’s packaging.

Horsepower is a measure of engine power output—how much work the engine can do per unit time. When a supercar claims a specific number like 750 hp, it’s describing the peak power the drivetrain can produce.

Koenigsegg is a Swedish supercar manufacturer known for building high-performance cars with advanced powertrains. The speaker mentions the company as an example of using production V8s as a starting point when developing supercar drivetrains.

Audi V8s refers to Audi’s production V8 engines, which can be used as a base for other manufacturers’ supercar powertrains. The speaker is contrasting typical supercar approaches (using existing engines) with the custom engine approach described for this car.

“Bespoke” means custom-built to a specific customer or specification rather than mass-produced. In supercar context, it usually implies one-off or highly tailored engineering, bodywork, and interior details.

“LS power” refers to the GM LS-series V8 engines (famously used in many performance builds). When someone says a supercar has “LS power,” they typically mean it uses an LS-family engine or an LS-based swap.

“AMG power” points to engines built by Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Benz’s performance division. In enthusiast talk, it signals a high-performance, often turbocharged engine family associated with AMG models.

A “turbo four liter V8” is a V8 engine with a turbocharger and about a 4.0-liter displacement. Turbocharging forces more air into the engine, allowing higher power than a naturally aspirated engine of similar size.

Hybrid systems combine an internal-combustion engine with an electric motor and battery. They can improve efficiency and provide extra torque, but they also add complexity to packaging and control software.

An “off the shelf power plant” means using an existing, production engine platform rather than designing a new engine from scratch. It’s a cost- and time-saving approach, but it can limit how unique the final car feels mechanically.

A “10,000 RPM V8” is a V8 engine designed to spin to very high engine speeds (revolutions per minute). Achieving that requires careful engineering of the crankshaft, valvetrain, and lubrication to avoid valve float, vibration, and component failure.

“11 grand” is slang for about 11,000 RPM, continuing the theme of extremely high-revving engine design. Revving that high changes the driving feel and sound, and it typically implies a performance-focused valvetrain and calibration.

“Sills” are the lower body panels along the sides of the cabin, and in a low supercar they can be very tall. Large sills block part of your view toward the road and contribute to the “hugging the center line” feel the host describes.

The “center line of the lane” is the visual reference down the middle of your lane. The host is describing how the Czinger 21C’s seating position and limited peripheral cues can bias your steering/positioning toward that reference.

Electric motors are the electric traction units that convert electrical energy into torque to move the wheels. Here, the discussion is specifically about which axle they drive (front wheels only) and how that shapes the car’s hybrid behavior.

EV mode is a driving setting where the car runs primarily on its electric traction system instead of relying on the engine. In this case, the host is discussing how the car’s hybrid system behaves when EV mode is available.

“Front wheels” refers to the axle that receives drive torque in this hybrid setup. The host is pointing out that the electric motors are solely powering the front wheels, which affects traction, handling balance, and how the car feels in different drive modes.

Drive modes are selectable settings that change how the powertrain responds—such as throttle mapping, traction control behavior, and how the hybrid system allocates power. The segment lists multiple modes (street, sport, track, track plus) to explain how the car is intended to be used on different surfaces.

“Track Plus” is a higher-performance drive mode intended for circuit use, typically enabling more aggressive power delivery and stability/traction settings than street modes. The host also notes it can’t be used on the street, implying it’s calibrated for track conditions.

A front splitter is an aerodynamic extension at the bottom of the front bumper. By running close to the road, it helps manage airflow and can increase downforce, but it also makes the car vulnerable to scraping or bouncing over bumps.

A single-clutch transmission uses one clutch to connect the engine to the gearbox. Compared with dual-clutch setups, it can create brief torque interruptions during shifts—though this car’s hybrid system is described as compensating for those “torque gaps.”

The Lamborghini Aventador is known for its high-performance V12 and aggressive driving feel, including a single-clutch automated manual transmission. The host uses it as a reference point for how a single-clutch gearbox can feel during shifts.

Torque gaps are brief moments during gear changes when the drivetrain delivers less (or no) twisting force to the wheels. Hybrid systems can reduce the size of these gaps by providing electric torque while the gearbox transitions.

“Full throttle” means the accelerator is fully opened, so the engine is delivering maximum power. “Up shifts” are gear changes to a higher gear, and when they happen under full throttle they can feel especially abrupt or forceful because the drivetrain is loaded heavily.

“Lift” is the upward aerodynamic force that can reduce tire grip at speed. A car that’s “not generating lift” is designed to avoid that destabilizing effect, helping it stay planted even when you’re not using maximum downforce.

Turbo lag is the delay between when you press the accelerator and when a turbocharger builds enough boost to make power. It happens because the turbo needs time to spool up from exhaust gas flow.

The Nissan Pathfinder is a family-oriented SUV that’s typically used for daily driving and road trips. The podcast mentions brake size in relation to the Pathfinder, which points to practical details that can affect stopping feel and maintenance. It’s discussed because it’s a common SUV platform people compare based on real-world components.

Carbon-ceramic brakes use a carbon-based ceramic material for the brake rotor. They can offer strong fade resistance and consistent braking under heavy use, but they’re expensive compared with conventional steel rotors.

AP Racing is a motorsport-focused brake manufacturer known for supplying high-performance brake systems and components. When someone says “AP Racing carbon ceramics,” they’re pointing to a track-oriented supplier rather than typical consumer-grade brake hardware.

Lap records are the fastest officially recorded times around a specific track layout. When a car “sets lap records,” it’s being judged on real-world track performance—speed plus stability and consistency over a full circuit.

Big Willow is a motorsports venue in California known for track days and high-speed driving. In this segment, it’s used as a reference point for a specific cornering scenario—entering a turn at very high speed—highlighting how confident you need to be in a downforce supercar.

“Grip cars” refers to cars that rely primarily on tire traction and mechanical grip rather than heavy aerodynamic downforce. The speaker contrasts this with downforce cars, where the driver’s technique and confidence point can be very different because aero grip builds with speed.

The “limits of a car” are the boundaries where tires can no longer provide the grip needed for the driver’s inputs. Past that point, the car transitions from predictable handling to slip, requiring different technique to stay controlled.

“Breaking loose” describes the moment tires lose traction and start to slide rather than grip the pavement. It’s often felt as a sudden change in steering feel or stability as the car transitions from grip to slip.

“Front end pushing” describes understeer, where the front tires lose grip first and the car won’t turn as sharply as the driver asks. It’s commonly felt as the steering getting less effective while cornering.

“Rear end” here refers to the rear axle’s behavior—especially whether the rear tires are still gripping or starting to slide. When the rear end breaks loose, the car can oversteer and rotate more than you expect.

A “conventional layout” usually means a more traditional supercar architecture compared with exotic setups. In context, the speaker suggests Czinger may move toward a layout that’s easier to understand and more mainstream, while still aiming for high performance.

A “technical showcase” is a product built primarily to demonstrate engineering capability rather than to be the most practical or mass-market option. Here, the speaker frames the Czinger 21C as a platform to prove technology and generate attention through record-setting performance.

“Ram” refers to the Ram pickup trucks, which are known for towing and hauling capability. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as the truck someone has been driving, which is why it fits into a discussion about real-world performance. Ram trucks are commonly brought up when comparing how different pickups handle the same load.

Torque is the twisting force an engine makes, and “pound-feet” is a unit for it. High torque matters for towing because it helps the truck move heavy loads and maintain pull at lower speeds.

The 2026 Ram 2500 is a heavy-duty pickup built for towing and work, and this one is being discussed specifically for its diesel torque. In the segment, they highlight the 6.7-liter Cummins I6 and its very high torque output, which is the key reason it’s relevant to a tow-focused test.

This refers to the 6.7-liter inline-six-cylinder diesel engine from Cummins. Inline-six engines are known for smoothness, and in diesel form they’re often tuned for strong low-end torque—exactly what towing needs.

Diesel prices are the cost per gallon (or liter) of diesel fuel, which is typically different from gasoline pricing. For diesel trucks, fuel cost is a major part of operating expenses, especially when towing or driving long distances.

The Mustang is a Ford sports coupe/convertible platform, and here it’s mentioned as the vehicle they loaded onto a trailer. The point in this segment is the towing setup and trailer weight, not Mustang performance details.

Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer’s hitch applies to the tow vehicle’s hitch. It strongly affects stability and braking feel—too little can cause sway, and too much can overload the truck’s rear suspension and hitch.

“HD pickup” means a heavy-duty pickup truck, typically with stronger frames, upgraded cooling, and drivetrains geared for towing. These trucks are designed to carry heavier loads and tow larger trailers more safely and comfortably than standard half-ton pickups.

Air suspension uses air-filled springs (instead of steel coils) to automatically adjust ride height and comfort. In this segment, it’s specifically used to lower the rear bed to make loading easier, and the host also mentions a prior failure of the system.

Lowering the bed refers to using adjustable suspension/ride height to bring the pickup’s cargo area closer to the ground. This reduces the effort needed to lift items over the side and can make loading bulky cargo much easier.

Lowering the suspension reduces the truck’s ride height, which makes it easier to line up the trailer hitch at the correct height. This is especially helpful with tall HD trucks and trailers, where the hitch can otherwise be too high to connect comfortably.

A trailer jack is the stand used to support the front of a trailer when it’s not connected to the towing vehicle. The speaker notes that lowering the truck reduces the need to crank the jack or stack blocks just to reach the hitch height.

The GMC Sierra 2500 is a heavy-duty pickup built for towing, and the speaker specifically references the 2500 Sierra as an example of how tall these trucks can be when hitching a trailer. They mention an AT4X version, implying an off-road-oriented trim that can sit higher, making trailer alignment more difficult.

“Alt trailer height” refers to an alternate ride-height setting (typically on air-suspension or adjustable suspension systems) that changes the truck’s stance for towing. The goal is to keep the trailer’s rear ride angle lower and more level, improving hitch alignment and reducing awkward hookup geometry.

A fifth wheel hitch is the coupling system used on many large trailers, where the hitch sits in the bed of the truck and the trailer has a kingpin that locks into it. Because the hitch point is in the truck bed (not at the rear bumper like a standard ball hitch), truck ride height and trailer angle matter a lot for safe, smooth towing.

Trailer profiles are saved setup presets in a towing system that let the truck tailor its behavior to a specific trailer. By switching profiles, the truck can apply the right settings for things like braking and trailer dimensions.

Tire pressure monitoring (often TPMS) is a system that measures tire air pressure and alerts you when it’s too low or otherwise out of spec. In towing context, the speaker is describing monitoring for the trailer’s tires so you can catch pressure issues before they become a safety problem.