Henrik Fisker is working hard to make the ill-fated Fisker Karma a distant memory, replaced by images of his latest effort, the EMotion. The 400-mile-range (644-km), all-electric sedan is the first vehicle from his new company Fisker Inc. and it's been evolving since it was first teased last year. In a preview today, the six-figure EMotion flaunts some of the new curves and features sculpted around key technologies below the skin.
When we spoke to Henrik Fisker in December, he mentioned that he had evolved the EMotion's front-end design from where it was when the first renderings were released weeks prior.
"For me, I'm really looking at creating a very strong design DNA in the front for future Fisker vehicles and it's definitely a challenge," he explained. "However, we do have some other technology that you potentially can make use of to create some sort of exciting design details, such as radar, etc. that you need for autonomous driving and for automated safety systems.
"So it's a challenge, and I'm pretty excited about what we have now. It's really a dramatic front end, and I've spent some more time on other things that I think you can work with, the sculpture on the hood and the front fenders, so I think there are other ways to create an exciting front end."
Indeed, self-driving technology is quite central to the new EMotion face. A LIDAR unit tucked behind a tinted panel provides a central point from which a sleek surround extends. While much slimmer than a classic ICE-vehicle grille, this aluminum-framed centerpiece is broader than it was previously, giving the car the technology-driven facial identity that Fisker had discussed.
Below the grille, Fisker has eliminated the broad, flat central panel of the initial design, extending the sweeping arch across the entire width, from intake to intake. This change promises to lend the car more of a smooth, round nose, instead of the abrupt flat-faced side profile it had before.
The headlamps have also been overhauled into a distinctive new design, giving the EMotion a menacing, snake-like glare. In between those eyes, the lower hood is now smooth and uninterrupted, the deep vents slimmed down and pushed back toward the windshield.
The bit of rear we see looks much the same as the original design, showing a short overhang, narrow curved taillights and a neatly integrated spoiler.
Details not highlighted in the pictures include a set of side-mounted cameras delivering 360-degree panoramic views, and lower carbon aerodynamic elements like the rear diffuser.
In developing the aluminum and carbon fiber structure, Fisker capitalized on the flexibility of its all-electric powertrain, creating a spacious cabin optimized around passenger comfort.
"I really wanted to challenge myself and sort of think out of the box and try to do something really innovative by moving the proportions around, free up a lot more interior space by moving certain elements out and stretching the cabin," Fisker told us previously. "That has allowed us, even though the car is very sporty and compact-looking, still to have quite incredible interior space – rear legroom is as much as some full-size luxury sedans, even though the car is more compact."
Fisker also promises a standards-exceeding frontal crash structure.
The company is still holding back full powertrain details, but it reiterates the specs it advertised on first tease: 400+ miles (644+ km) of range and 161 mph (259 km/h) of speed. That range is assisted along by the weight savings made with lightweight materials, including a 40 percent reduction in rotational mass achieved by the carbon fiber-aluminum wheels developed in conjunction with Dymag.
The new announcement says that the car will rely on an energy-dense, patent-pending battery pack, with UltraCharger technology adding more than 100 miles (161 km) of range in nine minutes.
Fisker previously detailed that its co-venture Fisker Nanotech is developing graphene battery technology that will feature in the new car, so long as it's ready in time. Fisker was optimistic when we interviewed him last year but admitted having a backup battery solution just in case the graphene tech gets hung up in development.
The automaker plans to release more details throughout the month before putting the EMotion up for pre-order on June 30. The car will start at $129,900 with an "ultra large battery pack." The company will shake things up by selling the car through its website, as well as via a network of "experience centers." It has partnered with The Hybrid Shop for vehicle service.
Source: Fisker Inc.