--- title: "AM highlights from the high-performance automotive sector" url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/am-highlights-from-the-high-performance-automotive-sector/ date: 2026-05-29 modified: 2026-05-29 lang: en author: "Tess Boissonneault" description: "While the use of additive manufacturing is evolving and expanding at every level in the automotive industry, particularly behind-the-scenes for prototyping and tooling applications, we want to take the opportunity..." categories: - "Automotive AM" - "Trends 2026" tags: - "Featured" image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CZINGER-21C-V-MAX_1756141396234-427x640.jpg word_count: 1251 --- # AM highlights from the high-performance automotive sector While the use of additive manufacturing is evolving and expanding at every level in the automotive industry, particularly behind-the-scenes for prototyping and tooling applications, we want to take the opportunity of our [Automotive AM Focus](https://www.voxelmatters.com/category/additive-manufacturing/automotive/) to highlight a particularly exciting (and visible) area of the segment: the integration of direct 3D printed parts into high-performance and luxury vehicles. In the past months alone, we've covered a number of stories that illustrate just how far AM has come, from road-worthy hypercars with critical 3D printed structures to limited-edition luxury cars with customizable 3D printed features. In all these cases—which we'll look at in closer detail—additive technologies are unique in their ability to create new designs and geometries and to manufacture low-volume and custom pieces in an economically viable way. Now, without further ado, here are some recent automotive AM highlights that showcase the technology's impact in the high-performance and luxury vehicle sphere. ## MINI 1965 Victory Edition [![MINI limited 1965 Victory Edition, AM highlights from the high-performance automotive sector](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MINI-1965-Victory-Edition-01.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MINI-1965-Victory-Edition-01.jpg) BMW-owned automotive brand MINI has had an interesting trajectory when it comes to 3D printing. Known for its small cars, MINI boldly launched the "MINI Yours Customised" program in 2018, which enabled customers to integrated personalized features into their MINIs, such as custom LED door sills and door projectors, interior trims and side scuttles. Much of this customization was powered by polymer AM technologies from HP, EOS and Carbon. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/mini-1965-340x227.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/mini-1965.jpg)The GP inspired key cap. While this [program shut down sometime before 2021](https://www.voxelmatters.com/bmw-ends-mini-yours-customised-service/), there have been other instances of the brand using AM in recent years, including a one-off collaboration with designer Paul Smith to create the custom [MINI STRIP](https://www.voxelmatters.com/mini-strip-by-paul-smith-features-parts-3d-printed-from-recycled-polymers/). This vehicle featured a distinctly 3D printed version of the classic MINI black band as well as front and rear apron inserts. Most recently, the automotive brand's use of AM has gone up a gear with the limited launch of the MINI 1965 Victory Edition. According to automaker BMW, 3D printing was used "from early development and prototype production all the way to series production". In terms of the latter, HP's Multi Jet Fusion technology was used to 3D print a range of end-use components, including a 3D printed key cap and custom trim pieces and a steering wheel badge to commemorate the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally victory. ## Apollo EVO Hypercar [![Apollo Automobil hypercar sports a 3D printed titanium “dragon skin” inspired exhaust](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Apollo-EVO-exhaust-03.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Apollo-EVO-exhaust-03.jpg) Earlier this month, German sportscar manufacturer Apollo Automobil revealed a frankly stunning feature of its Apollo EVO hypercar. The piece is a monolithic 3D printed exhaust that integrates a finish inspired by dragon scales. The part, dubbed the "Dragon Skin Exhaust" is made from aerospace-grade titanium (TA15) (with a ceramic coating) and reportedly takes 123 hours to manufacture. The 3D printed exhaust is a key feature of the carmaker's Apollo EVO, a hypercar built around a Ferrari F140 V12 engine that is retailing for over $4 million. According to Apolli Automobil, the first units of the hypercar—only 10 will be made total—are expected to be delivered in the first half of 2026. Notably, the scaley texture of the exhaust not only fulfills an aesthetic purpose: it also serves a thermal management function as it helps to distribute heat across the structure. “Apollo’s Dragon Skin exhaust embodies the brand’s core design DNA, serving as another extraordinary piece of Rebellious German Engineering,” the company said. “It seamlessly merges art, storytelling and extreme engineering into a single functional component. Sculpted to evoke awe, it represents the next stage of design evolution from Apollo Automobil.” ## LongBow Speedster [![LongBow Speedster with 3D printed body](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/LongBow_1761913691470.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/LongBow_1761913691470.jpg) Late last year British electric sports car company LongBow Motors unveiled a LongBow Speedster which features what it called "the world's first fully 3D printed car body". The vehicle's body was made from panels 3D printed by RYSE 3D Ltd using LFAM technology—all within just 60 days. While perhaps not quite in the same power class as the hypercars mentioned in this article, the LongBow Speedster is notable in its own right: it is a featherweight electric sports car entirely designed, engineered, and manufactured in the UK. Additive manufacturing has played a critical role in the development and production of this EV. With a total mass under 1,000, weight reduction has been achieved using a combination of innovative components, including a carbon-composite monocoque, an aluminium rear subframe, and 3D printed titanium mounting nodes. While the 3D printed body unveiled by the company is part of a prototype vehicle, it seems like the company is planning to use AM in final production. As Davide Sher wrote in his coverage: "The Speedster body program also acts as a template for customer-facing customization. LongBow’s Voya initiative, still in development, would allow buyers to personalize select components using additive methods that scale to one-off production." ## Bentley Batur Convertible [![Bentley Batur Convertible high-performance automotive sector](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Breslow-Batur-Convertible-1.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Breslow-Batur-Convertible-1.jpeg) UK-based luxury carmaker Bentley has been a keen adopter of metal AM for its limited edition Batur vehicles. The cars, made by Bentley's Mulliner division, are extremely exclusive, with only 34 units being made (16 convertibles, 18 coupés). This automotive line is particularly notable for its high degree of customizability. Its most recent model, the Bentley Convertible #4, has been described as its "most highly-curated Batur Convertible so far". This model was designed in collaboration with customer Sonia Breslow, an avid Bentley collector, and features a number of 3D printed details made from platinum. Among these is a platinum 3D printed center marker on the steering wheel as well as 3D printed organ stops. Other Batur models have integrated other types of precious metals. The [Black Rose Batur](https://www.voxelmatters.com/2-1m-bentley-batur-features-3d-printed-rose-gold/), for instance, features 3D printed rose gold parts including a drive mode selector, steering wheel marker, and organ stops. “As long as I can remember, I’ve been passionate about cars,” said Sonia Breslow. “When I have a car like this Batur, I don’t plan on selling it in my lifetime—it’s my forever car. I’m totally into the detail and I love designing them—picking out the colours, working through every shade, every feature, making them different from everything else.” ## Czinger 21C [![Czinger 3D printed hypercar AM highlights from the high-performance automotive sector](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/leno-czinger-2.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/leno-czinger-2.jpg) We'd be remiss if we didn't mention one of the most pioneering vehicles to use 3D printing for end-use automotive production: the Czinger 21C. Developed by California-based [Czinger Vehicles Inc.](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/czinger/), the vehicle is an exclusive hypercar that integrates a fully 3D printed chassis made using Divergent’s powder bed fusion. While we've been covering the evolution of Czinger's hypercar development since its early days, the company has made big strides in the last few years, [breaking records,](https://www.voxelmatters.com/czinger-vehicles-claims-back-fastest-production-car-lap-record-at-laguna-seca/) [growing its distribution network](https://www.voxelmatters.com/czinger-21c-3d-printed-cars-will-be-sold-by-h-r-owen-in-the-uk/) [globally](https://www.voxelmatters.com/al-habtoor-motors-to-distribute-czinger-vehicles-21c-in-the-middle-east/), and [achieving new specifications](https://www.voxelmatters.com/czinger-unveils-new-v-max-specification-for-21c-hypercar/). [![Jay Leno takes Czinger 3D printed hypercar for a spin](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Czinger_1719331314310-340x227.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Czinger_1719331314310.jpg)In the last month alone, Czinger has garnered attention by being [featured on Jay Leno's web series *Jay Leno’s Garage*](https://www.voxelmatters.com/jay-leno-takes-czinger-21c-3d-printed-hypercar-for-a-spin/), as well as in Goodyear's “Fast Is In Us” global marketing campaign. In the former, Czinger founder and CEO Lukas Czinger shows Leno just what makes the 21C so special and how vital additive manufacturing has been to the car's development and production. Leno himself credits the company for following through on promises that other hypercar makers have failed to deliver on, particularly when it comes to regulatory compliance. In the driving portion of the episode, which is well worth a watch, Leno has only positive things to say as he tours the mountain roads around Burbank. In the Goodyear campaign, the Czinger 21C takes the spotlight to help promote the company's Eagle performance tires. As Davide writes, "The choice of the 21C [in the ad] is not incidental. The Czinger 21C holds multiple production car speed records and achieves its performance in large part because its 3D printed structure is optimized for weight and stiffness in ways that conventional manufacturing cannot replicate."