2012 Fisker Karma Eco Standard Sedan * Only 6,604 Miles * 403hp Hybrid on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Karma Revero will be unveiled, with pricing, this summer

The Karma Revero, the high-end extended-range plug-in vehicle that will be the successor to the Fisker Karma, will have a prototype unveiled and will announce its pricing this summer, the Los Angeles Times says. Karma may produce as many as 3,000 vehicles a year out of its Southern California factory. The automaker, now owned by China-based Wanxiang Group, also may pursue the direct-to-consumer distribution model used by electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors, the Times says, citing Karma chief marketing officer Jim Taylor. The former Fisker Automotive's assets were acquired out of bankruptcy by Wanxiang Group in 2014 after Fisker, with its vehicles' 33-mile all-electric range, stopped making cars in 2012 and went under. The four-door Karma Revero, which is said to deliver more than 400 horsepower, will look similar to the Fisker Karma and will also likely be priced at more than $100,000. Karma is making the vehicles out of a 550,000-square-foot factory in Moreno Valley, California, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. The production line at the Valmet factory in Finland where the first batch of Karmas was made was broken down into parts and shipped to California for the new plant, while about 120 finished Karmas that were never sold were eventually used for test vehicles. Karma officially changed its name from Fisker last year. Fisker, which at one time was going to build a second model called the Atlantic, was founded in 2007 by famed designer Henrik Fisker, who now helps run a coach-building company. Karma Automotive is also planning to build sales and engineering offices in Troy, Michigan, near Detroit, as the company is receiving some funding from the state of Michigan. About 150 workers will be housed at the $3.6 million facility. Related Video:

Karma Revero refresh spied with carryover Fisker interior

The Karma Revero debuted last year, rising from the ashes of the Fisker Karma. Really, the Revero was little more than a Fisker with a fresh badge. As charming as the mustachioed face may be, it didn't do anything to set the car apart. A much-needed refresh is on the way, though how much it changes remains to be seen. Based on these spy photos, it doesn't look like much will change between the A and C-pillars. That goes for the interior, too. This might come as a bit of a disappointment, as the car has a slick interior design, but it sacrifices a lot in terms of ergonomics and space. On the outside, the Revero will get new front and rear fascias with new lighting and a longer hood. Don't expect too many changes to the powertrain. The GM-sourced turbo inline-four is paired with electric motors for a healthy 403 horsepower and 981 pound-feet of torque, though the sheer size and weight of the Revero means it's not particularly fast. Rumors suggest that the next Karma model, the Atlantic, will ditch the GM powertrain all together. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Aston Martin sues Henrik Fisker over Thunderbolt design

Imitation is supposedly the sincerest form of flattery, but Aston Martin isn't blushing after taking a look at the Fisker Thunderbolt. The british luxury brand has filed a lawsuit against the designer for allegedly copying the company's designs without permission in a US District Court in California. Fisker unveiled the Thunderbolt at the at the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance as his own take on the Vanquish. The former Aston Martin stylist's changes included reshaping the grille, adding a power dome to the hood and incorporating wraparound rear glass. The version on display was a concept for the design, but the plan was to sell a slightly modified production version through Galpin Aston Martin. This lawsuit puts assembly in doubt. "This lawsuit centres on Henrik Fisker's creation and promotion of automobiles that Aston Martin contends infringes Aston Martin's rights, by an improper and unauthorised attempt to exploit and free-ride off them," said a portion of a prepared statement from the company emailed to Autoblog (embedded in full below). According to Bloomberg, the automaker claims in the suit that portions of the design, including "the famous Aston Martin mark, wings logo, side vent mark, and Vanquish mark" are being coping in Fisker's design. The business also calls the plan to change the design for the production version a "bait-and-switch." Fisker helped to shape the look of the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage during his time as a designer at the brand. "Today Aston Martin filed a lawsuit in the state of California to protect its valuable trade marks, designs and intellectual property rights. This lawsuit centres on Henrik Fisker's creation and promotion of automobiles that Aston Martin contends infringes Aston Martin's rights, by an improper and unauthorised attempt to exploit and free-ride off them. Aston Martin regards such conduct as wholly unacceptable and reserves all rights available at law to challenge it."