Fisker teases tweaked eMotion electric sedan

REVENANT manufacturer Fisker has teased a slightly redesigned eMotion prototype of the sedan that will take the fight to the likes of the Tesla Model S when it arrives in 2019.

Head designer Henrik Fisker took to Twitter to post two partial images of the latest eMotion design, showing a restyled front fascia without the twin bonnet scoops and a vertically stretched grille for a less cluttered look that the original design shown in November last year.

The headlights have also been revised, eschewing the robotic, concept-style look of the initial version, for a more production-ready design. The front bumper and side air inlets have also been cleaned up and simplified.

Lightweight materials have been used throughout to reduce weight and increase battery range. These include carbon-fibre and aluminium structure and Dymag wheels, the latter reducing rotational mass by 40 per cent.

The car is adorned with carbon-fibre lower splitter and aluminium window mouldings and bonnet centrepiece.

Nestled into the centrepiece is a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system to aid night driving, while the side mirrors house two cameras for 360-degree views.

Powering the eMotion is a high-energy density battery pack and cooling system, providing a claimed driving range of more than 400 miles (644km) and a top speed of 161 miles per hour (259km/h).

Its maximum range outstrips that of the Tesla Model S P100D, which stands at 613km.

About 100 miles (160km) of range can be charged in nine minutes through the company’s UltraCharger system.

While the rollout of the UltraCharger system has not yet been detailed by Fisker, it has announced that for servicing it will partner with The Hybrid Shop to expand a service centre network of 36 centres in the US and Canada to more than 300 worldwide by 2019.

The car will be sold directly through Fisker’s website as well as forthcoming dealerships, called “experience centres” by the brand, and will have an asking price in the US of $US129,900 (A$172,304).

More information on the eMotion will be released later this month, with pre-orders opening on Fisker’s website from June 30.

The announcement comes at the same time as rival company Tesla teased its latest model, the Model Y small SUV (see separate story).

The Model Y will join the Model S, X and 3, and will be built on an all-new platform at a yet-to-be-determined new plant, ahead of an on-sale date of 2019.

The eMotion is Fisker’s second attempt at creating an all-electric sedan after the 2011 launch of the Karma sedan that was plagued by problems, leading the company to file for bankruptcy.

It was then bought by the Wanxiang Group of China, which rebranded the company under the Karma Automotive banner.