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Wanxiang's last-minute bid for Fisker could restart Karma production, add Atlantic hatchback [UPDATE]

The remains of bankrupt Fisker Automotive are supposed to be sold by the Department of Energy to Hybrid Tech Holdings LLC for $25 million. But, the new year brings a new possibility for the troubled plug-in hybrid automaker and now we hear that Wanxiang America Corp. wants to jump in at the last minute and snatch Fisker up in a 'stalking horse' deal. A hearing is scheduled for tomorrow. Stalking horse offers are intended to prevent undervalued deals from taking place. Since the DOE is reportedly losing $139 million on its Fisker holdings, it seems like any pressure to increase the $25 million bid would be welcomed. Wanxiang's bid isn't that much different than what Hybrid Tech Holdings was offering, though, since WHYY reports that Wanxiang is offering to pay "$24.7 million and will assume some of Fisker's liabilities." The big difference is that a Wanxiang purchase could bring Fisker production back to life. The big difference is that a Wanxiang purchase could bring Fisker production back to life. In court documents, Wanxiang mentions a new Fisker design (a hatchback version of the Atlantic, pictured above) and proposed restarting Karma production at Valmet in Finland, the place where all of the Karmas built to date have been made. At an unspecified future date, production would be moved to VL Automotive's manufacturing facility in Michigan. Wanxiang calls VL a business partner, but you might remember it as the Bob-Lutz-connected company that wants to put small-block Corvette V8 engines into Karma bodies, creating the Destino. Lutz and Wanxiang previously tried to buy Fisker in early 2013. You can find the court documents below, and the concept is on page 11 of the Wanxiang Presentation. On page six you will find mention of a "Karma / Destino production line" and then on page 12 we hear about trucks, cargo vans and SUVs, all of which hints at Wanxiang's big dreams. How big? Wanxiang thinks it could sell 1,000 Karma/Destinos in the first 18 months in the US, along with 500 a year in Europe. The last stalking horse in the plug-in vehicle industry happened when Coda went under. Before that, Johnson Controls acted as a stalking horse against Wanxiang Group Corp. when Wanxiang bought the remains of A123 Systems. A123 batteries were used in the Fisker Karma powertrain, but the relationship between the two companies was troubled. Perhaps when everything is owned by the same corporate entity, things will run smoother.

Recharge Wrap-up: Fisker EMotion rear end, Faraday Future drag race teaser

Fisker has unveiled the rear end of its EMotion EV. This latest image in a series of slow reveals shows us the strip of lighting across the back, the lines of the trunk opening, and a good look at the rear diffuser. The car appears significantly wider at the fenders than at the roofline, which gives it a planted and muscular look. It's a shape that fits the car's stated performance; Fisker says the EMotion will have a top speed of 161 miles per hour. And, of course, there are no tailpipes. Read more from TechCrunch. Check out the off-road prowess of the Tesla Model X in an icy ditch. Thanks to a sophisticated traction control and torque distribution system, the electric SUV is able to keep its composure even when a wheel leaves the ground over the uneven terrain. Of course, the grippy winter tires help too. The video could also help ease concerns about the vehicles torsional rigidity, though there was a slight creak when opening one of the falcon wing doors while the Model X was suspended over the ditch. See the video and read more at Teslarati. Faraday Future is teasing a video of drag races against the Tesla Model X, Bentley Bentayga, and Ferrari 488 GTB. It shows the camouflaged FF prototype lining up next to the competitors individually, and taking off down the drag strip before cutting the video short. The video then instructs viewers to "stay connected" for the results. Presumably, the prototype will perform impressively. Outrunning a Model X P100D with Ludicrous mode means doing 0-60 in less than 2.9 seconds. Faraday Future is slated to unveil its production electric vehicle at CES 2017 in early January. Check out the video and read more at Teslarati.

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."