2012 Fisker Karma Sport on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Henrik Fisker says he's developing EVs in 'stealth mode'

VLF Automotive added a second model to their small lineup earlier this year. While the Force 1 sports car continued the company's tradition of cars with big displacement gas engines, a story by The Detroit News reveals that corporate partner Henrik Fisker isn't done with electric cars. The story is basically an inside look at how the company operates along with some insight on the company from Bob Lutz, one of the founders, and Henrik Fisker. However, among general comments about the company, Fisker told Detroit News that he's "definitely working in stealth mode on electric cars of the future." The news outlet also reported that Fisker said he's nearing a battery breakthrough and there might be a future electric VLF bearing his name. His interest in continuing with EVs is consistent with past statements, but this is the first we've heard of him actively working on electric car technology. Fisker wanting to stay under the radar in regards to electric car development is also understandable. His previous self-titled car company showed promise with the beautiful Karma plug-in hybrid, but it went bankrupt and was sold off to a Chinese car company. The Chinese company renamed itself Karma and is planning on selling cars again soon. Fisker's other interim automotive ventures have been met with mixed success. He teamed up with Galpin Auto Sport to create a custom Aston Martin Vanquish and Ford Mustang. The former resulted in a lawsuit from Aston, and the latter had polarizing styling. Setbacks clearly don't discourage Fisker though, and he even has plenty of things outside of VLF to keep him busy. He's currently working on a yacht for boat-builder Benetti, and he told The Detroit News he even has an idea for a TV show about building cars. For more on Fisker and VLF, check out the whole Detroit News story here. Related Video: Featured Gallery VLF Force 1 V10: Detroit 2016 View 17 Photos News Source: The Detroit NewsImage Credit: Drew Phillips Green Fisker Automakers Electric Future Vehicles Henrik Fisker karma karma automotive vlf automotive vlf

The Fisker Ocean's solar roof opens up in 'California Mode'

Henrik Fisker has pegged CES for the official unveiling of his upcoming Ocean SUV. The production prototype will make its public debut on January 7, 2020, with an intended launch in 2020. Leading up to the event, Fisker has been slowly dropping bits of information, and we've already seen nearly the entire vehicle. The most recent announcement showed off a new patented feature called California Mode, which at the press of a button can lower all the Ocean's windows and slide open its solar roof panels as well. In total, pressing the California Mode button moves nine different panels. The three windows on each side of the SUV go down, the rear hatch's glass drops into the body, and the two panels that make up the solar roof shift to open, as well. Fisker didn't release a video of the action, but it appears the front-most part of the solar panel overlaps the rear portion and both slide back. The photos take the opportunity to show that with the rear glass down, a surfboard could fit inside the car with only a small bit sticking out. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Fisker bills the Ocean as a pinnacle of sustainable automotive engineering. It runs purely on electricity and will have an estimated range of 250 to 300 miles. Parts of the SUV will use recycled materials and plastics, as well, to create a vegan interior. Fisker says the solar tech could potentially add up to 1,000 miles of range per year, although that really isn't much. The California-based company is also aiming to make the vehicle affordable and accessible. Fisker says the car will be available on a subscription basis with a starting price of $379 per month and no long-term contract. Reservations are open now for $250. We'll have more information and photos after the debut next month. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Fisker becomes Karma Automotive

Meet the new boss. It's not the same as the old boss. This is the new Fisker Automotive, which has just changed its name to Karma Automotive. The new Karma Automotive says that this name has always been a part of the brand. On the company's new website (which you can access from either the new karmaautomotive.com URL or the previous URL, thenewfisker.com), it says that, "It's a name that respects our past, while simultaneously reinventing our future." That future theme is splashed across the new site. Here's more from the "Why Karma?" section: "We don't have to do things as anyone has done them before. What's important is that we act with intention." As for the company's new logo, there's a hidden message. The new emblem has, "An imperfect ring, representing constant effort towards unattainable perfection, encircling the earth. With a spark of sun, the eternal symbol of endlessly renewable energy. Inner cut lines represent our three brand priorities." Those priorities are to be beautiful, clean, and memorable. Of course. As we learned back in 2014, the logo for Fisker Automotive was the property of Fisker Coachbuild, LLC, and was used under license by Fisker Automotive. As longtime Fisker fans likely know, the original logo represented co-founders Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler standing on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. Henrik Fisker is not involved with the current owner of the Fisker brand, Wanxiang, so the name change makes sense. It was previously rumored that Wanxiang would drop the Fisker name in favor of Elux. Turns out, only half of that rumor appears to be true. The relaunched plug-in hybrid might start production in the middle of 2016. Fisker Automotive Reveals New Name And Logo Karma Automotive - honors iconic design and communicates future direction COSTA MESA, Calif., Sept. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Fisker Automotive and Technology Group announced a name change today to Karma Automotive. The company also launched its new website, including a video that reveals its new logo at karmaautomotive.com. "With new ownership, a new management team, and a new production site, all here in California, it was time to communicate change," said James Taylor, Karma's Chief Marketing Officer. "Karma" was chosen because it is relevant to both the old and new brands, while providing an aspirational message which embodies the company's purpose. "Karma is based on the principle of cause and effect, where your actions create your future.