After making an announcement last week, Fisker has released their first image and details regarding their new sub-$40,000 electric SUV.
While Fisker does not have any production car on the road following their initial attempt with the Karma, the automaker is busy setting itself up for the future.
While their upcoming EMotion is set to be a pinnacle of luxury, to be made in low numbers, Fisker aims to cover the other side of the spectrum with this mass-market electric SUV that most will be able to afford.
Henrik Fisker, Chairman and CEO, describes the electric SUV:
“Our team set out on a mission to create an affordable EV that’s more exciting and emotion-stirring than what the market has been offering. We’re now excited to be introducing a vehicle that truly reinvents the SUV. At an affordable price point, starting below $40,000, we’re delivering a desirable, luxuriously rugged and green vehicle – complete with unique new experiences and technologies – that’s accessible to people across the USA and the world.
Unfortunately, there were no real specifications given about the electric SUV. All we know is that Fisker is aiming its sights on range of 300 miles, sub-$40,000 price, and a launch somewhere during the second half of 2021.
Here are some other points from the release:
Passion In the Details:
- Future-forward technologies are now an integral part of the SUV’s design. A small, center high-mounted radar – behind glass – replaces a traditional grill, which is no longer a necessity on an EV.
- A parametric pattern dominates the lower front, where air cooling is directed only as needed.
- Lower body aerodynamic features add more stimulating visuals.
Never-Before-Seen, High-Tech User Experiences:
- With the touch of a button, an extended open-air atmosphere will be made possible without compromising the rugged and safe structural integrity of an SUV.
- The vastly spacious interior is complemented by a modern aesthetic and high-quality materials.
- Dashboard features will include a large heads-up display and a unique, intuitive user interface that will control some of the latest emerging in-vehicle technologies.
Cutting-Edge Options and Performance:
- Available in four-wheel drive with two electric motors – one at the front and one at the rear.
- The all-electric SUV will come standard with an extended range (target of approximately 300 miles), enabled by an enhanced +80 KWh lithium-ion battery pack. More details will be released closer to launch.
- Optional 22-inch wheels.
Pricing and Sales:
- Set at a base price below $40,000 (U.S.), final pricing and a drivable prototype is anticipated to be revealed by the end of 2019.
- Fisker is set to sell direct to consumers. A nationwide concierge service model is also in development for a superior user and maintenance experience.
- The company will begin accepting early deposits closer to the start of production. More information on timelines, as well as a website link, will be shared at a later date.
Production:
- Fisker Inc. is currently finalizing the selection of a facility, located in the United States, to produce the all-electric SUV.
One other unfortunate thing, is that we only have the one concept drawing of the SUV. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very nice looking front, but you would hope that Henrik Fisker, who is known for his design work, would give us something more to work with.
Perhaps the announcement was rushed due to the Tesla Model Y unveil only being a week prior? This electric SUV will more than likely compete directly with the Model Y, so it does make sense.
Additionally, Fisker does still stand by the fact that it is developing solid-state batteries. However, we will not see those batteries in this electric SUV, only in the upcoming EMotion.
Realistically I don’t know how this electric SUV will work. To get it down in price will require large volumes to be produced. I don’t know Fisker’s current production capacities, but I doubt that they are enough to produce a mass-market car. It would be nice to have the EMotion in production so we could gauge how efficiently Fisker can produce cars, but we will have to revisit that thought once the EMotion actually releases.
Source: Fisker