VL Automotive, the company that sought to fit Fisker Karmas with the LS9 V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 at last year's Detroit Auto Show, is back in 2014 with a new wild idea: a V8-powered Fisker Karma convertible. Those with long memories will recall that Fisker itself showed a hardtop Karma convertible in 2009, but the VL Destino variant does feature some slight differences.
Called the Destino Red Concept, it sports a different front fascia than the 2009 Fisker. When the Red Concept sees production, it'll be with either a LT1 V8 or an LS9 V8, courtesy of Chevrolet, under the hood. Power will be sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic, while the cabin can be had in a number of colors and trims courtesy of Katzkin.
Today's debut was also an opportunity for VL Destino to talk about its progress in bringing a V8 Karma to production. "We had hoped to be in retail production by now, but a five-month interruption was caused by the reorganization and restructuring of Fisker Automotive, which is a major supplier of some structural components and some body panels," said co-founder Gilbert Villarreal. "Pending resolution of the bankruptcy proceedings, we will continue to negotiate for those parts in tandem with development of VL Automotive's own fabricating operations which make front and rear facias, roofs, trunks and hoods."
Scroll down for our gallery of live images from Cobo Hall and the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.
Called the Destino Red Concept, it sports a different front fascia than the 2009 Fisker. When the Red Concept sees production, it'll be with either a LT1 V8 or an LS9 V8, courtesy of Chevrolet, under the hood. Power will be sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic, while the cabin can be had in a number of colors and trims courtesy of Katzkin.
Today's debut was also an opportunity for VL Destino to talk about its progress in bringing a V8 Karma to production. "We had hoped to be in retail production by now, but a five-month interruption was caused by the reorganization and restructuring of Fisker Automotive, which is a major supplier of some structural components and some body panels," said co-founder Gilbert Villarreal. "Pending resolution of the bankruptcy proceedings, we will continue to negotiate for those parts in tandem with development of VL Automotive's own fabricating operations which make front and rear facias, roofs, trunks and hoods."
Scroll down for our gallery of live images from Cobo Hall and the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.
VL Automotive Introduces Destino Concept at Detroit Auto Show
DETROIT, Mich., Jan. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- VL Automotive of Auburn Hills, Michigan, held the world premiere of its Destino two-door hard top convertible touring coupe Concept at the 2014 North American International Auto Show today. The Destino Red concept, based on the Fisker Karma chassis and re-designed by former General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz, now joins the Destino sedan he and VL Automotive co-founder Gilbert Villarreal introduced last year.
The Destino is powered by a Chevrolet Corvette LT1 or LS9 V8 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Bespoke color choices and interiors by Katzkin complement the world-class mechanicals to deliver on the promise of a unique and elegant road machine.
"We had hoped to be in retail production by now, but a five-month interruption was caused by the reorganization and restructuring of Fisker Automotive which is a major supplier of some structural components and some body panels," Villarreal explained. "Pending resolution of the bankruptcy proceedings, we will continue to negotiate for those parts in tandem with development of VL Automotive's own fabricating operations which make front and rear facias, roofs, trunks and hoods."
Lutz said international reaction to Destino has been all he could have imagined. "We have received hundreds of inquiries and orders from customers and dealers in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia," said Lutz. "We have also been pleasantly surprised by the number of Fisker owners inquiring about conversions. Gilbert and I are preparing for that work, too."
DETROIT, Mich., Jan. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- VL Automotive of Auburn Hills, Michigan, held the world premiere of its Destino two-door hard top convertible touring coupe Concept at the 2014 North American International Auto Show today. The Destino Red concept, based on the Fisker Karma chassis and re-designed by former General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz, now joins the Destino sedan he and VL Automotive co-founder Gilbert Villarreal introduced last year.
The Destino is powered by a Chevrolet Corvette LT1 or LS9 V8 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Bespoke color choices and interiors by Katzkin complement the world-class mechanicals to deliver on the promise of a unique and elegant road machine.
"We had hoped to be in retail production by now, but a five-month interruption was caused by the reorganization and restructuring of Fisker Automotive which is a major supplier of some structural components and some body panels," Villarreal explained. "Pending resolution of the bankruptcy proceedings, we will continue to negotiate for those parts in tandem with development of VL Automotive's own fabricating operations which make front and rear facias, roofs, trunks and hoods."
Lutz said international reaction to Destino has been all he could have imagined. "We have received hundreds of inquiries and orders from customers and dealers in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia," said Lutz. "We have also been pleasantly surprised by the number of Fisker owners inquiring about conversions. Gilbert and I are preparing for that work, too."
Featured Gallery VL Destino Red Concept: Detroit 2014
View 21 PhotosRelated Gallery VL Destino Convertible concept sketches
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