Click above for high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma
Fisker Automotive may be knee-deep in a legal battle with electric car pioneer Tesla Motors, but the fledgling automaker is still committed to producing its stunning Karma plug-in electric vehicle by Q4 2009. Henrik Fisker and crew have received so much negative press regarding the pending lawsuit that it issued a press release to ensure prospective buyers that that the Karma was on its way, but also to explain where its PHEV technology originates.
Fisker calls the lawsuit "nonsense," and points out that his design company, Fisker Coachbuild, has non-exlusive design contracts with many automakers. The press release, which is available after the jump, shows that Fisker is getting its PHEV tech from a company called Quantum Technologies, which has also created electric vehicles for the U.S. Armed Forces. The release doesn't specifically address Tesla's contention that Fisker stole electric vehicle design secrets, but then again it's probably not a good idea to discuss pending litigation in any real detail.
It seems as though Tesla Motors is just a little peeved that the Karma's design is superior to the one Fisker Coachbuild designed for its upcoming WhiteStar sedan, which we're hoping to see soon so we can know what all the fuss is about.
[Source: Fisker Automotive]
PRESS RELEASE
Fisker Automotive on Track for 2009 Fourth Quarter Delivery Despite Recent Allegations
IRVINE, Calif., April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Fisker Automotive, Inc. announced that the company is on track for delivery of the Fisker Karma in Q4 2009, and that it will vigorously defend the recent allegations put forth by Tesla. Tesla Motors breached the arbitration agreement in its contract with Fisker by filing these meritless claims in San Mateo County court.
"The lawsuit is nonsense," said Henrik Fisker, CEO, Fisker Automotive. "Fisker Coachbuild has non-exclusive design contracts as shown by the cars we have designed for a variety of manufacturers."
Fisker Automotive launched the highly anticipated Fisker Karma, a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) premium vehicle at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. The revolutionary technology incorporated into the powertrain was developed by Quantum Technologies, a public company, which first proved its capability with the launch of a U.S. military vehicle created for U.S. Army Special Operations in 2003.
"In January of 2007 I first met Henrik Fisker. Soon thereafter, I became convinced that a strategic alliance joining together Quantum's (PHEV) unique technology position with Fisker's design expertise could be leveraged into a company capable of launching the first premium sports sedan for the (PHEV) segment," expressed Alan Niedzwiecki, CEO, Quantum Technologies. "In August 2007 that vision became a reality with the inception of Fisker Automotive Inc., effectively combining Quantum's (PHEV) drivetrain expertise with a remarkable design from Fisker Coachbuild LLC."
"We are confident that Fisker Automotive continues to be a tremendous investment opportunity," said Ray Lane, Kleiner Perkins. "The design innovation of Henrik Fisker combined with the hybrid drive train experience of Quantum is unique in the automotive market."
The Fisker name for more than a decade has attracted and attained worldwide recognition. Henrik Fisker has more than 19 years of experience in the automotive and product design arena. Some of his pioneering includes work on the BMW E-1 electric car in 1991, the BMW Z8 and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Most recently Fisker Coachbuild created the Fisker Tramonto and Fisker Latigo CS in 2005.
"Fisker Coachbuild is proud of its premier reputation for design work and we look forward to continuing to build on that reputation," said Henrik Fisker.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alex @ Apr 25th 2008 10:34AM
Am i the only one who thinks this is an ass ugly design?
mikeyt @ Apr 25th 2008 10:38AM
no you're not alone. it kinda makes me want to eat my eyes and then puke.
Russell @ Apr 25th 2008 11:05AM
I was gonna say "Jocker's Car" but "ass ugly" works as well.
dea911 @ Apr 25th 2008 1:25PM
I disagree. The car is very different and looks like nothing else. But there is something about this design that just keeps me in awe. I think this car is stunning. Beautiful. Work of art
jake @ Apr 25th 2008 2:02PM
I think most people agree it's the mustache grille that ruins all the fun, but the rest of the car looks pretty stunning. I'm interested in what Fisker's design for Tesla was. And I hope Tesla will release their design for the Whitestar soon. Then we can compare and contrast to see which one looks crappier.
User @ Apr 25th 2008 7:30PM
Take the car into photoshop, remove the grill and check out how beautiful the car is. I have absolutely no idea why they're leaving that ridiculous grill on there.
Bungle @ Apr 25th 2008 11:03PM
Its grill looks like Gina Gershon's mouth.
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3933575424/nm0000153
icu812ru469 @ Apr 25th 2008 10:42AM
It's the modern Joker-mobile.
Peter @ Apr 25th 2008 11:29AM
Right On! I agree, it looks like the Joker.
geo.stewart @ Apr 25th 2008 10:46AM
I'm not enamored of the design like I am of Fisker's other penmanship.
On the lawsuit front, my understanding is that Tesla wants a mainstream vehicle to produce, not a high-end like the Fisker. With that, did they think they would get a BMW design for the price of a Cobalt? I'm sorry, a design house is going to have to consider costs of dies/stamping and such. If memeory serves, Tesla wanted the whitestar to come in at the upper 70's. Well, if a 40K Elsie is a 100K Tesla, you are looking at a Mazda6-like Tesla, not a Bimmer Tesla.
jake @ Apr 25th 2008 2:19PM
I think Tesla has made it clear that they are EXACTLY targeting the 5 series with this car, I think they mentioned it in a couple of press releases a while ago. So yes the design is supposed to look BMW quality or BETTER. I don't think people will dish out $70k for a car that looks like it costs $30k. I'm sure Tesla realizes this too, so they are targeting a 5 series.
Again the Tesla, is NOT similar in performance to the elise. It's more similar to the exige s240 since the Tesla makes 250hp and 0-60 under 4 secs just like the exige s240. The exige s240 base price is $65k and the touring package that puts you with the same kind of interior features (leather, carpets, insulation, ipod connect) like the Tesla puts the price at $67.4k. And in terms of size it's more like the Europa with it's longer wheelbase. So you get the performance of an exige s240 with the size and easier entry (but still not that easy) of the Europa, and oh yeah you get an EV drivetrain too. That puts the premium over a s240 at $33k, NOT $60k over the elise as most people would quote.
Zane @ Apr 25th 2008 10:48AM
"Karma" is on track to deliver the real blueprints to Telsa by 2009.
Zane @ Apr 25th 2008 10:49AM
Oops, I meant Tesla.
BLS @ Apr 25th 2008 11:14AM
In person this car is awesome. Definately my favorite debut at Detroit. It has presence galore. And if it does actually sell for 80K it puts all other 80K cars to shame in looks.
But we shall see.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 25th 2008 11:19AM
"plug-in electric vehicle" isn't a ood way to describe this car. Most electric vehicles plug in to charge. What's missing is that this one isn't an electric vehicle, it's a hybrid. It's a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) or as Tesla is calling them range extended electric vehicle.
Skraegoat @ Apr 25th 2008 11:54AM
Who wants a moustache ride?!
Mike F. @ Apr 25th 2008 12:39PM
I do! I do!
cody @ Apr 25th 2008 2:03PM
change the grill and its a pretty sweet car.
jake @ Apr 25th 2008 2:18PM
I think Tesla has made it clear that they are EXACTLY targeting the 5 series with this car, I think they mentioned it in a couple of press releases a while ago. So yes the design is supposed to look BMW quality or BETTER. I don't think people will dish out $70k for a car that looks like it costs $30k. I'm sure Tesla realizes this too, so they are targeting a 5 series.
Again the Tesla, is NOT similar in performance to the elise. It's more similar to the exige s240 since the Tesla makes 250hp and 0-60 under 4 secs just like the exige s240. The exige s240 base price is $65k and the touring package that puts you with the same kind of interior features (leather, carpets, insulation, ipod connect) like the Tesla puts the price at $67.4k. And in terms of size it's more like the Europa with it's longer wheelbase. So you get the performance of an exige s240 with the size and easier entry (but still not that easy) of the Europa, and oh yeah you get an EV drivetrain too. That puts the premium over a s240 at $33k, NOT $60k over the elise as most people would quote.
Toy Yoda @ Apr 25th 2008 2:23PM
The grill is fine. You got to remember it's a 2-point perspective flat picture. Things are gonna get distorted.