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Posts Tagged “

Fisker

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i feel gassy

Five Reasons High Gas Prices Are Good For Real Drivers

While people who drive out of necessity are understandably upset about high gas prices, the real enthusiast driver recognizes the positives. Artificially low fuel prices have subsidized an American automotive lifestyle out-of-sync with the needs and desires of serious drivers. And although we're not happy to be forking over the dimes for premium fuel, we've got five reasons the enthusiast is happy the era of cheap gas is over. More »

Feature

12:30 PM on Thu Jul 17 2008
By Matt Hardigree
19,929 views, 126 comments

Latest by johnniewalker: Credit card companies must be loving the high prices for gas. They probably take their profits and invest them in oil futures - causing the prices to go even higher. The avg credit card transaction costs 3%. On a $4.00 more »

2010 fisker karma

Fisker Karma Gets Approval To Go Finnish

Valmet Automotive, based in Finland, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Fisker Automotive to build the Fisker Karma. With this announcement, we also get further details surrounding the hybrid luxury sports car: According to Valmet CEO, Ilpo Korhonen, the Karma, which we have seen testing before, will be capable of traveling 50 MPH before the engine kicks in to charge the batteries. It has a maximum all-electric range of 62 miles, and the starting price tag for the US may be bumped up an extra five grand to $85,000.

More »

9:20 AM on Tue Jul 15 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
974 views, 17 comments

Latest by stopcrazypp: 50 MPH sounds a little disappointing, that's worst than the Prius prototypes that are out (62mph). I think you might want to check the translation on that. Except for the mustache it looks good. more »

gadgets

The Vibering Concept Won't Provide Pleasure, May Protect You From Hybrids

Despite the sexual connotations of the name "Vibering," it's actually a concept in design that's purpose is not to please the nether regions. In actuality, the ring's designed with the blind and/or deaf in mind to protect against THE KILLER PRIUS. The concept sure sounds simple — with two sound-detecting rings and a wristwatch, the Vibering listens for a variety of different sounds, including car engines and honking horns. It will then warn the wearer on the distance and proximity of the car with a series of vibrations. In addition to being able to detect auto noises, the Vibering also listens for common phrases like "Excuse Me" and more. It's only a conceptual design by the design team of Kwang-seok Jeong, Min-hee Kim and Hyun-joong Kim (yeah, we've never heard of them either), but it's a hell of a lot better than the external speaker idea. [Yanko]

2:40 PM on Wed Jun 4 2008
By Travis Hudson
551 views, 21 comments

Latest by Mike the Dog: @graverobber- Now accepting Diner's Club!: "I wonder if it listens for phrases like 'Outta the way blindy!' or 'Hello, my name is Indigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.'?" The American market version will be attuned to more »

industry news

Tesla's Elon Musk Claims IPO To Come This Year

Who needs to actually be in production of anything in order to toss out an initial public offering? Not most companies and certainly not Tesla. Elon Musk, the CEO of the wanna-be makers of the first mass-produced electric sled told attendees of the TieCon conference this weekend that he plans to take his electric-car company public by the end of 2008. Expect Fisker to file suit later today against Tesla for trying to do what they thought about doing like a year ago. (Hat tip to Kevin!) [NYT Dealbook]

7:15 AM on Tue May 20 2008
By Ray Wert
973 views, 15 comments

Latest by n/a: @smalleyxb122: Possibly Mr. Musk gets busted for smuggling cocaine in a vain attempt to finance the floundering company. more »

industry news

Fisker Seeks Arbitration With Tesla In Ongoing Eco Slap Fight

It looks like Henrik Fisker and company are asking to have the Tesla suit arbitrated in Orange County. As you're all well aware, neither Fisker nor Tesla are actually making cars but are instead just suing the crap out of each other over various charges (here's an explanation of the Tesla and Fisker suit). Long story short, Tesla claims Fisker stole info when designing a sedan for Tesla. Oh, by the way, here's Fisker's Karma Hybrid sedan. Who is right and who is wrong? Who cares at this point? More »

5:00 PM on Thu May 15 2008
By Matt Hardigree
571 views, 16 comments

Latest by DoctorNineTenths: I think Karma Rosenberg should sue Fisker for using her name. more »

fisker karma

Fisker Karma Hybrid Testing In Southern California

Despite whispers of vaporware and only a little more than four months since the original concept was debuted at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Fisker has handed out a set of six images of the Fisker Karma testing in Southern California. The prototype looks shockingly similar to the show car and is wearing only the lightest of camouflage, just vinyl stickers which do little to obscure the cars handsome body work. More »

Spy Photos

7:20 PM on Fri May 9 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
5,416 views, 33 comments

alternative energy

Something To Th!nk About Regarding The Coming (Hopefully) Green Vehicle Revolution

When we heard that Th!nk was coming to America our cynicism censors immediately lit up. Is this the same Th!nk that failed here before, went bankrupt, had their electric bike recalled and has annoying punctuation in their name? Yes. But they got that sweet sweet Kleiner Perkins VC money, right? True, that money has yet to produce a commercially successful car. The interesting history of all that below. More »

Feature

4:20 PM on Tue Apr 29 2008
By Matt Hardigree
3,487 views, 29 comments

Latest by n/a: In the U.S., an electric vehicle is likely NOT being charged with electricity from a coal source. [www.eia.doe.gov] more »

alternative energy

PopMech Analyzes The Tesla Lawsuit Shenanigans

This week we heard about a couple of lawsuits mythical electric sports car almost-manufacturer Tesla has managed to get tied up in. The first one saw Magna suing Tesla for breach of contract over its transmission design, the other was Tesla going medieval on Fisker for allegedly stealing designs associated with the Tesla Whitestar Hybrid for its Fisker Karma Hybrid. Well Popular Mechanics has gone out and consulted a lawyer-type about the guts of these lawsuits and what the likely outcomes of the twin tussles might be. We just want the slap fights to be over. [Popular Mechanics]

7:00 PM on Fri Apr 18 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,977 views, 26 comments

Latest by n/a: @allenparkpete: I can't take credit for the line, it was used in an Autoweek long-term test of a few gen-ago Chrysler minivan which had something like 5 recalls or owner notifications for not insignificant items. it seems to be agreed more »

news

Tesla Sues Fisker Designers In World's Most Expensive Girl Fight

Tesla Motors, the manufacturer of the Tesla Roadster, has filed suit against Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler (yes that Fisker) claiming the duo stole confidential design information and trade secrets while working for Tesla. We're not trying to pick sides around these parts, but the Tesla claims make some sense. More »

11:00 AM on Tue Apr 15 2008
By Travis Hudson
2,668 views, 25 comments

industry news

Fisker Adding External Speakers To Karma, Michael Stipe Alarmed

Henrik Fisker has announced that his new Karma plug-in hybrid sports car will come equipped with external speakers for pedestrian safety. The four seat Karma goes on sale late in 2009 and is capable of traveling up to 50 miles without using the gasoline engine. While in electric-only mode it's virtually silent, prompting fears that pedestrians could be at risk if they're unable to hear it coming. Capable of playing any sound its owner chooses, one option according to Fisker is, "like something between a Formula One car and a jet plane."

More »

11:20 AM on Fri Mar 14 2008
By Wes Siler
1,744 views, 37 comments

Latest by Number_Six: I want the Luftwaffe Edition sound effects package. You can choose between 'Stuka' for when you're driving aggressively, or 'Squadron of Heinkels' when you're just droning across the New York State Thruway. more »

news

HybridCars Asks: Is The Hybrid Car Recession Proof?

Clearly, our impending/new/ongoing recession is having an impact on the automotive industry (just ask GM and their $38 billion disappearing act). Consumers are having to ask questions they didn't have to ask in the carefree 1990's. And while small manufacturers like Maserati can aim for the extremely affluent profiting on our economic troubles, it's not as easy for others. Or is it? According to HybridCars.com's "Hybrid Market Dashboard," hybrids in the U.S. saw a year-over-year 24.9% sales increase for January 2008, compared to a 2.9% decrease for all cars sold in the U.S. More »

2:15 PM on Wed Feb 13 2008
By Matt Hardigree
930 views, 8 comments

Latest by n/a: @rgseidl: Nice analysis. more »

new cars

Artega GT Nearing Production, Hundreds Cheer

It's been nearly a year since a promising little coupe rolled into the Geneva show floodlights. Back then, the Henrik Fisker-designed Artega GT was just a rolling chassis with Porsche cues atop, accompanied by promises of 300-horsepower VW engines, light weight and a fair asking price. We saw it again in Frankfurt, where its builders said it was on track for a 2008 release. Of course, by production we mean only 500 will be built per year at around a $100,000 a pop (€75,000). For that you get an aluminum space-frame chassis and carbon-fiber reinforced body, which, plus its 3.6-liter V6 (with six-speed DSG automanual), adds up to only 2,425 pounds. Colin Chapman, call the front desk.

8:30 AM on Tue Feb 5 2008
By Mike Spinelli
747 views, 24 comments

Latest by n/a: * Sweet & good value. BUT it is REAR Engined! Make it MID-Engine & you got a deal. more »

media

That Mazda RX-8 Sure Looks Like a Fisker Karma

This just in from the NUMBER TWO television market in the country: The RX-8 looks exactly like the Fisker Karma! More »

3:30 PM on Tue Jan 22 2008
By burstein
4,226 views, 24 comments

question of the day

Who Gets the Buzz Bump From Detroit?

Going into The 2008 Detroit Auto Show, insiders and casual observers alike could be excused for thinking that... THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING! Yeah, that's how much fear and trembling there's been swirling around the car biz, what with the tanking dollar and all this talk about "Peak Oil" and the Ford Motor Company ignoring those dinnertime calls from from Visa and MasterCard. Still, a big event like this can't help but send a few lucky folks back to the assembly lines with the electric shiver of BUZZ in their spines. Because isn't that what the Detroit show is all about anyway? More »

11:30 AM on Fri Jan 18 2008
By Matthew DeBord
535 views, 15 comments

Latest by NovaloadMissesPolar: @Tanshanomi: Well said.But Furai too. more »

alternative energy

More on the The Fisker Karma: Vaporware or Military-Industrial Complexity?

Despite a convincing introduction of the Fisker Karma luxury hybrid this week, some of the most unbridled optimists on our Rolodex are whispering the techie's ultimate damnation: it's vaporware. Maybe they're jaded by the reported troubles at Tesla, especially on the heels of such a massive inflow of gushing page-inches and personal salivation (remember, of course, their story isn't over until some fat Chapter 11 attorney sings). Nonetheless, we talked for a bit with Alan Niedzwiecki, CEO of Quantum Technologies, maker of the Q DRIVE series-hybrid system powering Henrik Fisker's luxury sedan. More »

2:00 PM on Thu Jan 17 2008
By Mike Spinelli
1,331 views, 19 comments

Latest by 3wheeler: Ok. Cars are expensive to design, prototype and manufacture, sell and recycle. Even the big boys lose money on the industry. Its a stupid game to be in. So, when I grow up, and have been a director of design more »

detroit auto show

Detroit Auto Show: Fisker Karma Luxury Hybrid, Only $80,000

The big news today is the Fisker Karma Luxury Hybrid, which is going to come at $80,000 and deliver luxury style, GT performance and eco-friendliness. And this isn't a flight of fancy. This is a production model that will be produced in the fourth quarter of 2009 with venture capital funding by Kleiner Perkins, who made big investments in Netscape and Google at the right time that later turned into big victories. A true lithium-ion plug-in hybrid, the electrical system is good for 50 miles of electric-only driving in stealth mode. Otherwise, the second mode of the hybrid system involves a performance-oriented four cylinder engine. The company currently puts the performance at 5.8 seconds 0-60 mph with a top speed of 125 mph (continuous). Interestingly, we also got photos of Mark Fields chatting it up at the Fisker display before the reveal. Old friend, new partner — or maybe a mullet potential curious onlooker attempting to find out more about what's going on under the hood?


More »

Feature

12:45 PM on Mon Jan 14 2008
By Matt Hardigree
12,830 views, 43 comments

Latest by n/a: Corvette-meets-DeLorean look. Who needs education if you can buy top-tech in sleek design? Top-10 if it delivers! more »

detroit auto show

Detroit Auto Show: Fisker Karma Luxury Hybrid

The embargo for the Fisker Karma Luxury Hybrid from coachbuilder Fisker (responsible for questionably revised european luxury models) was broken two days ago and then unbroken by some concerned PR people and now it appears that AutoBlog.it has broken the embargo again! Molto Bene! The Karma Hybrid will be powered by the Quantum Technologies-sourced Q-DRIVE System (a series hybrid with a small gas engine running to generate power for lithium ion battery packs). This is good for a claimed 0-60 mph time of six seconds and a top speed of 125 mph and a range of 50 miles on batteries alone.

[AutoBlog.it]

Feature

6:13 PM on Sun Jan 13 2008
By Matt Hardigree
6,142 views, 41 comments

Latest by RoninianHoon: My dragon tail just poked a hole in my chair... more »

new cars

2008 Artega GT Set for Production

Have you heard of this car? Cause we sure haven't.(I am so smrt) The Artega GT is the brain child of one Henrik Fisker, former design director at Aston Martin, and is set to go into very limited production in May 2008. We've seen Fisker work as a coachbuilder before, but this will be their first chassis built in house. The Artega, aside from having a name amusingly similar to a famous American salsa, looks like the child of a Ferrari F430, a Porsche Cayman, and a Mitsubishi Eclipse (Mitsu is only happy someone remembered them). It's powered by a 300 hp 3.5L V6 of unknown sourcing and weighs in around 1500kg. That should slot into the lower realm of hand built, mid-engined, monuments to the male ego. It's in the neighborhood of a hundred grand, but for now its a Euro only offering. Don't worry, we're better off with the Cayman anyway. [AutocarUK]

3:30 PM on Fri Dec 7 2007
By bwojdyla
2,747 views, 33 comments

Latest by n/a: Looks like it has a Z8 in there as well. Is this the same chassis as the Fisker four door plug-in hybrid? I believe that was suppose to use their first in-house chassis as well? more »

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