One-Man Revolution

Henrik Fisker is about to give the luxury car market a jolt.

A jolt of electricity, that is.

Fisker, the designer behind the rare and exotic Tramanto convertible, is applying his talent to a plug-in hybrid vehicle to debut at the Detroit auto show in January. The high-performance sport sedan is to go on sale for about $80,000 within 18 months.

Fisker says the vehicle would be able to run solely on electricity at highway speeds for up to 40 miles, operating silently in what he calls “stealth mode.” Then, when the electricity runs out, the gasoline engine would kick in so that the driver can keep going without bothering to plug in. The gasoline engine also would begin powering a generator to recharge the battery.

The as-yet-unnamed Fisker vehicle is likely to be among the first on the market to combine plug-in and hybrid technology. The advantage such a vehicle offers is that it can go farther and faster on electricity alone than existing plug-ins and existing hybrids.

Several major manufacturers — including General Motors and Toyota — are developing their own plug-in hybrids. But unlike the bigger companies, Fisker is specifically targeting luxury buyers with his sedan, and he promises it will be “one hot-looking car.”

Given his credentials, such confidence seems warranted. He is the designer responsible for the elegant lines of Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage and DB9, as well as the BMW Z8. He also runs Fisker Coachbuild LLC in Irvine, Calif., a boutique house that customizes BMW and Mercedes-Benz models to produce ultra-rare and ultra-luxe sports cars called the Tramanto and Latigo CS. (Read about them here.)

Because of such highly regarded work, his name is well known in the automotive industry. But if Fisker has his way, he may be known for something else soon: environmentally friendly luxury.

Fisker has joined forces with Quantum Technologies, a specialist in alternative fuel technology also based in Irvine, to found a new company called Fisker Automotive Inc. The joint venture is a self-proclaimed “new green American premium car company” that intends to make plug-in hybrids magnificent enough to dazzle discriminating enthusiasts.

“We want to take the lead in where cars are going in the future,” Fisker says. “We want to create beautiful, fast, cool cars that won’t harm the environment.”

The sedan to be unveiled in January would be Fisker Automotive’s first production car. After its global debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it would be shown off at the Geneva Auto Show in March as well.

Fisker is not giving away any details about the look of the car before then. “Let’s just say it’s going to be the sexiest four-door sport sedan you’ve ever seen,” he says.

Fisker Automotive plans to produce 15,000 vehicles annually for worldwide distribution, a decidedly large amount for a small company, even one with a name like Fisker behind it. That amount is equivalent to smaller production runs from some major auto manufacturers.

Quantum Technologies has developed a system that would allow the vehicle to be recharged overnight using a standard 110-volt household outlet. It designed the battery and powertrain — dubbed “Quantum Drive” — exclusively for Fisker.

Fisker says the car is perfect for short-distance commuters who would rarely run the battery down all the way and thus infrequently need supplemental gasoline power. “People who drive less than 40 miles a day may only fill up their car once a year,” he says.

But this plug-in is not just for around-town use. As a gasoline hybrid, it’s capable of going on longer trips as well, during which the company says it will get three times better mileage than a regular gas-powered car.

Later, Fisker Automotive plans to bring four more plug-in hybrids to market based on the same chassis — including one selling for around $40,000.

Next: Can Fisker Succeed?