Shown for the first time at IAA in Frankfurt last week, the Fisker Surf is a luxury/sports "shooting brake" or station wagon, built on the same base as the Fisker Karma (electric drive with gas-engined range extender), though the Ferrari FF look makes it a lot easier on the eye.
The Surf can be expected in showrooms in the first half of 2013 with a price tag in the low six figures.
With an identical drive train to the Karma, the biggest thing the Fisker Surf offers over the Karma is its luggage space and aesthetics.
The car comes with two drive modes - Sport and Stealth.
In Sport mode, the massive 981 lb-ft (1,330 Nm) torque of the vehicle is on tap with 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds, and a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).
In Stealth mode the generator stays turned off, so the Surf has a limited range of 50 miles (80 km) dictated by the 20 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack carried inside the car's central tunnel. In this mode, it accelerates from 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 95 mph (153 km/h).
The drive train is a series-hybrid, with only the rear wheels driven by electrical energy, which can be topped up by the 260 bhp turbocharged and direct-fuel-injected gasoline engine generator.
Under normal driving conditions, battery power alone will drive the Surf about. After that the gasoline engine/generator and 9.5-gal (36 l) fuel tank provide another 250 miles of range for a total of 300 miles (483 km).
Using a standard 110-volt household supply, the Surf's battery will fully recharge in about 14 hours. The Fisker Surf can also utilize standard European 220-volt outlets, allowing this time to fall to about six hours.
I used to be worried for Tesla because Fisker stole their design secrets, but if this is the best he can do, I am no longer worried. Did the Karma ever make it into production?? Did ANYONE buy one??
I suggest everyone do their own research.
PS. @Luddite you need to consider the small gas tank. The 36L is 9.5 gallons.
The closest thing to a station wagon on the road today is the Ford Flex. The other \"wagons\" are just sedans with extra space tacked onto the back which is difficult to get stuff into or out of.
Isn\'t that a contradiction in terms?