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Fisker Ronin actually a four-seat convertible

When Fisker Automotive released an image of its planned Ronin battery-electric vehicle, the closed roof, Karma vibes and non-specific press release led everyone to believe it was a four-door sedan targeting an array of impressive specs. Turns out the Ronin is a four-seat convertible, making at least one of those specs even more impressive if Fisker hits it. Instead of the "over 550 miles of range" in the initial release, Henrik Fisker clarified that the Ronin's shooting for 660 miles of range on the WLTP cycle. That would beat anything on sale today even after converting to EPA figures, but the Ronin isn't due for its first deliveries until 2024. We also expect that mileage figure is a top-up number only; in view of all the turbulent air created behind a convertible's windshield, top-down mileage may vary considerably.  Fisker's quote that he wants the Ronin to have "the world's longest range for a production EV, combined with extremely high levels of performance" and be "a showcase for our internal engineering, powertrain and software capabilities" still holds true. Last year, the company opened a development facility in the UK called Magic Works, run by David King, formerly in charge of special vehicles at Aston Martin. King's team is working on making a cabriolet boulevardier that also evokes "a proper British sports car." Special features will include "unique doors for better ingress and egress," necessary because of the lack of a B-pillar. That quote from the automaker boss leads us to suspect the Ronin is the evolution of the Fisker EMotion (pictured above; yes, that's how it's spelled) luxury sedan the company took to CES in 2018. Chop the top off the EMotion, anchor the rear doors in the rear fenders instead of the C-pillar, and voila, a Ronin. That's all just a guess, though. What's not a guess is that Magic Works is working on special features like a battery integrated into the vehicle structure, powering a three-motor drivetrain able to get the Ronin to 60 miles per hour in under three seconds. That sprint would take the same time Wiesmann predicts its two-door, two-seat Thunderball to hit the same mark.

Hybrid Technologies LLC increases Fisker bid to $55 million

Will more money equal more Karma? In the continuing fight over the assets of extended-range plug-in vehicle maker Fisker Automotive, a Hong Kong-based investor is ready to up the stakes. Hybrid Tech Holdings has announced it will increase its bid for the maker of the Karma to $55 million. A bankruptcy court judge recently ruled that Hybrid Tech couldn't use any more than $25 million of its Fisker debt for an on-credit bid for Fisker. Hybrid Tech bought Fisker's $193 million line of credit from the US Department of Energy for $25 million. "When other shareholders ceased support, Hybrid continued to provide the financing and working capital necessary to maintain momentum," the company said in a statement. "Hybrid is working to achieve a rapid relaunch of Fisker." AutoblogGreen asked Hybrid spokeswoman Megan Grant for more details, but she said, "The statement distributed ... is the only information I am able to provide at this time." You can read the full statement below. At this point, Hybrid Tech's offer would trump Wanxiang Group's bid of $25.8 million (plus assumed debt) that was issued in late December and then boosted to $35.7 million earlier this month. Fisker favors the Hybrid Tech bid because it believes Wanxiang, which acquired most of the assets of lithium-ion battery maker A123 Systems in 2012, helped speed up Fisker's shut-down by stopping battery deliveries. Fisker filed for bankruptcy in late 2012. The auction for the remains will be held in February. Statement by Hybrid LLC Today, Hybrid Tech Holdings, LLC ("Hybrid"), a Delaware limited liability company, announced that it has modified the terms of its bid for Fisker Automotive Holdings, Inc. ("Fisker"), to reflect a purchase price of US$55 million. Hybrid intends to utilize Fisker's existing plant in Delaware to meet consumer demand and address market conditions. "Hybrid's confidence in Fisker's future is strong and unwavering. The Hybrid group has been an investor in Fisker for many years. When other shareholders ceased support, Hybrid continued to provide the financing and working capital necessary to maintain momentum, as well as taking on the US$25 million risk of purchasing the Department of Energy loan. We did so for a simple reason; we believe deeply in Fisker's technology and we stand by the talent in the company who can bring the promise of this technology to life," said Hybrid spokeswoman Megan Grant.

Fisker teases electric crossover again and a high-vis turn signal

Elon Musk turns to Twitter when it's time to spread the Tesla news. Henrik Fisker perfers Facebook. The Danish-American designer took to FB once more to tease his coming electric crossover, this time showing a slice of the rear three-quarter. The feature he wants to highlight is the turn signal set into the D-pillar, which "will provide extra safety when you change lanes." There are a fair few other details to glean as well. Starting from the top, a sunroof opening appears mounted quite a bit rearward. The aperture appears small in view of Fisker promising us that pressing a button will open the roof to create "an extended open-air atmosphere;" so we expect there's another opening over the front seats. The belt line catches the eye; we'll see what it does for rear three-quarter visibility from the driver's seat. The pop-out door handles look to be illuminated by thin LED strips, and more such strips look to define the CHMSL on the tailgate spoiler and taillights. And note the curve of that seriously punched-out rear fender, designed to fit the optional 22-inch wheel. Fisker says the full-on reveal comes this December. From that point, it'll be around an 18-month wait for the production version, planned for the latter half of 2021. Many headlining features have been promised, from the "vastly spacious" and "innovative interior with new utility features," the "captivating design touches that have been traditionally reserved for supercars," and an as-yet-unidentified "new radical feature." Beyond the teasers, what we're expecting is a 300-mile range from a lithium-ion battery pack of at least 80 kWh, a single electric motor standard, two when optioned with all-wheel drive, and a price of under $40,000 to start. The electric mover will be one of three affordable EVs coming from Fisker gathered under the $129,000 EMotion flagship electric sedan. Expect more teasers before December.