2023 Fisker Ocean Extreme Sport Utility 4d on 2040-cars

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Fisker starts taking reservations for urban EV developed with Foxconn

Fisker has started taking reservations for its second model, an enigmatic electric car known only as Project PEAR for the time being. Developed jointly with Taiwan-based software giant Foxconn, the five-seater will be manufactured in Ohio starting in 2024. PEAR stands for Personal Electric Automotive Revolution, according to the company, and it's presented as a compact model designed for urban environments. Fisker released a sketch to preview the car, though it stressed that it wants to keep full styling-related details under wraps until closer to the official unveiling. Pricing will start at $29,900 before taxes and various government incentives enter the equation. We're told that the PEAR will stand out with "intuitive controls, sporty driving, clever storage, and a focus on industry firsts," but the carmaker stopped short of providing concrete details. Foxconn's involvement should facilitate the task of bringing the PEAR to production; it notably builds the iPhone for Apple in China. The car will be built on a new platform called FP28 internally and designed by both companies. Customers can add their name to the waiting list by sending Fisker a $250 deposit, and the cost of a second reservation drops to $100. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2024, and more details about the Pear should be announced in the coming months. Fisker and Foxconn jointly plan to build about 250,000 units of the model annually, but keep in mind that Fisker has a habit of not sticking to the timeline it sets. Production of the Ocean crossover was scheduled to start in late 2021 (it should enter production in Graz, Austria, a year late with help from contract manufacturer Magna), and the Emotion sedan unveiled at CES in 2018 and due out in 2019 is still nowhere to be seen. Related Video This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Green Fisker Electric Future Vehicles

Fisker trying to secure Volkswagen's MEB platform for the Ocean

Henrik Fisker took his beating, stayed in the ring, and appears to be getting on top of the fight to be an electric vehicle automaker. At the beginning of the week, Fisker Inc. announced a merger with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Spartan Energy Acquisition Corp, backed by private equity firm Apollo Global Management. The merger would value Fisker at $2.9 billion in preparation for a listing on the New York Stock Exchange. This is the same maneuver Nikola Motors recently employed in order to go public. Spartan filed a trove of documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission in advance of the filing, one of them an investor presentation that explained some backstory and hoped-for production path for Fisker's Ocean electric crossover. One key piece of info is that Fisker is in talks with Volkswagen about using VW's MEB modular electric platform and ancillary components for the Ocean. The agreement would include battery packs as well. One slide asserted that "anticipated access to Volkswagen’s industry-leading EV component quality, pricing, and supply chain ... accelerates time to market and dramatically reduces vehicle development costs." Furthermore, this attempt at deeper collaboration with VW is part of a two-year growing partnership. The Verge went through the presentation, noting that Fisker and VW entered a memorandum of understanding in 2017, upgrading that to a "collaboration agreement" in 2018. Audi subsidiary Italdesign built the Ocean crossover Fisker debuted at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, the prototype described as a "near-series prototype" and sitting an MEB platform. This month, the two companies could sign a "cornerstone agreement" to formalize "costs, production capacity, and a timeline." If that happens, a contract covering supply and manufacturing would be consummated before the end of 2020. The timeline in the presentation notes earnest prototype testing next year, with production planned for late 2022. Separately, however, Fisker has said, "Prototype vehicles are expected to start durability testing by the end of this year, and we continue to make significant progress on the development of our sales and service proposition." If the IPO clears all hurdles, Fisker Inc. could receive $1 billion to put toward Ocean development and production. Meanwhile, a recent funding round secured $50 million from Moore Strategic Ventures.

Fisker Pear electric hatchback revealed in more detail

Just a few weeks ago, Fisker showed off the future of its electric lineup at its "Product Vision Day." Among the highlights was the new compact Fisker Pear, which is intended to arrive with a sub-$30,000 price point and be an affordable alternative to the likes of the Chevy Bolt (currently on hiatus) and Nissan Leaf. While the Pear isn't quite ready for prime time, Fisker has shared a host of photos to accompany a few new details about this budget-friendly EV.  We now know the Pear will measure approximately 15 feet long (4550mm) and will be offered in both five- and six-seater configurations, further enhancing what already promises to be a flexible and utilitarian platform. The cargo section is referred to as the Pear's "Houdini trunk," which allows access to the hatch area in tight nose-to-tail parking situations or low ceiling heights thanks to a rear glass section that opens downward into the rear load floor, rather than swinging up and out like a normal hatch. Fisker also hopes to launch the Pear with exterior camera mirrors, but those are still under review due to regulatory requirements. And then there's the "froot." Think frunk, only British — or vegetarian. It's a sealed front storage compartment intended to store things that should be isolated from the cabin, like sweaty workout gear or pungent leftovers. Fisker says it will even offer an insulated option for storing temperature-sensitive items. Gig drivers, take note. The cabin itself is "designed to be extremely durable, with no fragile moving parts." Fisker calls it a boon for families and ride-share drivers, but there's also an upside for the manufacturer that consequently doesn't have to bother with expensive physical controls.  Fisker says the Pear will also have a "Lounge Mode" that allows all of the seats to fold completely flat to create a relaxation or sleeping area along with a rotating, 17-inch screen to provide entertainment while you're stretched out. The six-seater option replaces the single front passenger seat and center console with a large two-seat bench.  Fisker also appears close to finalizing the Pear's electric range. Previously, the company said it was hoping to deliver up to 310 miles on the EPA test cycle. Fisker has revised that up to 320 miles on the high end. In addition, it's offering a target for the smaller, city-oriented battery pack that is expected to come standard at the Pear's $29,990 starting price.