Four new models from Fisker

TO AN audience of investors, analysts, employees and media, US-based, Chinese-owned niche EV manufacturer Fisker has showcased its upcoming vehicle line-up at an event in Huntington Beach, California.

 

The firm presented four vehicles along with associated technology and sustainability “visions” it will use on these and future models.

 

Chairman and CEO, Henrik Fisker, presided over the event that saw the debut of a new Ocean SUV with a Force-E off road package. The vehicle sat alongside Fisker’s 1000-plus-horsepower Ronin grand-touring four-door convertible, the PEAR sustainable city EV and the Alaska all-electric pickup truck.

 

“Fisker isn’t standing still, we want the world to know that we have big plans and intend to move into several different segments, redefining each with our unique blend of design, innovation, and sustainability,” said Mr Fisk, alluding to a recent journalist drive event in Austria to officially launch the Ocean model.

 

He took the opportunity to review the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives as it strives to become the world’s most sustainable carmaker.

 

“Innovation and sustainability, along with design, are our three brand values,” he said.

 

“By 2027, we intend to produce the world’s first climate-neutral vehicle, and as our customers reinvent their relationships with mobility, we want to be a leader in software defined transportation.”

 

On a completely different tack and in addition to the vehicles displayed on stage, the company detailed its Blade computer technology that is a central computing platform said to greatly reduce complexity in forthcoming vehicles.

 

Fisker opened reservations for both the Ronin and the Alaska after the conclusion of the Huntington Beach event. A deposit of $2000 was sought for a first run Ronin reservation, and $250 for the first run Alaska models, less for later production runs of each model and fully refundable.

 

Digging into details of the displayed vehicles we find the Ronin is the world’s first all-electric four-door convertible GT sports car, a “true” five-seat GT according to Fisker with a carbon-fibre hard-top roof, four butterfly doors, a high-tech luxury interior, and “uniquely” futuristic exterior design.

 

The model has an integrated battery pack that targets a 1000km-plus range. It uses a triple motor all-wheel drive powertrain that is said to deliver 1000-plus horsepower (745Kw) and a 0-100km/h sprint in approximately 2.0 seconds.

 

Fisker says the Ronin is a showcase for its engineering, powertrain, and software capabilities and will be “ultra-luxury priced” and built in limited quantities.

 

Moving to the PEAR (Personal Electric Automotive Revolution) which is the manufacturer’s vision of a sustainable EV as a connected mobility device.

 

Fisker says the PEAR is a “category-breaking lifestyle vehicle” and is built on Fisker’s SLV-1 platform using the company’s Steel development process that results in the use of 35 per cent fewer parts than other EVs in the class.

 

The PEAR has highly connected and “revolutionary” electrical engineering architecture, and is the first implementation of the Blade central computing platform. It features what is called a Houdini Trunk (hideaway lift gate) and a front storage compartment called the Froot (“front boot”) also known as a Frunk to simplify cargo loading in city parking.

 

The PEAR’s compact dimensions are claimed to deliver sporty handling while allowing room for a spacious and modular interior with seating for up to six. The design includes an ultra-wide wraparound windscreen, sculptural exterior design and slim LED lighting.

 

It is intended to be a window on the future of clean and affordable mobility for a global mass market and is available in four trim levels with prices starting at $US29,900 ($A45,771) and is scheduled to arrive in mid-2025.

 

The Alaska ute is Fisker’s “versatile, advanced, and powerful all-electric four-door pickup truck”. The model is built on an extended adaptation of Fisker Ocean’s platform called the FT31, and targets a sporty everyday feel in a flexible utility pick-up.

 

The vehicle is a built for multiple cargo configurations including a cargo bed that is extendable from 1.37m to 2.29m to 2.8m and a “Houdini bed divider” which hides away to connect cargo bed and rear cabin.

 

Fisker says the Alaska is designed to be the world’s lightest EV pickup truck, also the world’s most sustainable truck. It shares the Ocean’s design DNA and dynamic characteristics with a projected range of 370-550km.

 

The ute is expected to go into production in 2025 priced from $US45,400 (A$69,488) with incentives likely to reduce that figure.

 

The Ocean SUV is a medium size SUV a touch smaller than the Tesla Model X and will be offered with four different package options.

 

It has a claimed driving range of about 450km from an 80kWh battery pack and solar panels on the roof can help recharge the vehicle’s battery systems and are designed to provide up to 1600km of additional driving range per year.

 

Both two- and all-wheel-drive versions will be available, with the electric powertrain offering an output of more than 225kW. An ultra-high-performance version is capable of a 0-100km/h sprint in less than three seconds.

 

Recharging the battery from 15 to 80 per cent capacity is expected to take only 30 minutes when plugged in to a 150kW charger. The body uses recycled plastic from ocean debris, while waste generated during tyre manufacturing will be applied to sections of the interior such as the boot.

 

The Force E package, due to become available early next year at an unknown price is a “dynamic and durable off-road option” for the Ocean that is designed to maximise torque, power, and range for sustainable off-roading adventure.

 

The package will be available for all-wheel drive Ultra and Extreme trims both at vehicle purchase and as a post-purchase add-on package. It includes 33-inch tyres on 20-inch wheels, higher ground clearance, specialized dampers, roof basket, front and rear skid plates and an underbody plate for greater durability.

 

At the time of publishing, GoAuto was unable to ascertain if Fisker vehicles might become available in Australia.