[The Fisker Guys]

I've only had my car for two weeks, but I couldn't handle the look of the styrofoam behind the front fascia. It just cheapens the entire cars looks and it almost makes me shy away from showing someone the vehicle. I had to do something about it.

I ended up making two different styles to cover the styrofoam. First is a matte black finish, and the other a carbon fiber appearance. The matte black just makes the styrofoam go away. It becomes nearly completely hidden and just blends in not really noticeable at all. The carbon fiber is just plain awesome! It doesn’t distract from the looks of the car; it actually enhances it. It is fairly subtle but doing a walk around, you have to stop and take a second look.

These photos were taken indoors with the flash, so they are not the best shots. I’ll take some more tomorrow if the weather cooperates in a little better light so you can get the full effect.

Before:

Matte Black:

Carbon Fiber:

 

[Fabulist]

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I really like the Carbon Fibre look. Is this just a veneer covering the styrofoam or did you replace the foam entirely?

 

[ct-fiskerbuzz]

The styrofoam is almost certainly required to meet crash-test standards. A thin thing in front of it would probably not affect the meets-standards part though, and I really do like that carbon-fiber look...

 

[Karma 2012]

CF looks great! Please share DIY details. I agree that enhanced the look.

 

[rex]

Yea, I like the carbon fiber look, especially since I have the same color car. Tell us more.

 

[Weird Fishes]

Bravo! The carbon fiber look is great! Do you have any plans to sell these because I totally would buy.

 

[doug]

Very nice! A definite cosmetic upgrade.

 

[Dave_Car_Guy]

I think you just went into the Fisker aftermarket business. I'll take one in carbon fiber, please. Just tell me where to send the Paypal...

 

[Sigurd]

I'll take one too! Both look great, but CF looks awesome.

 

[The Fisker Guys]

Thanks for the great response, I'm glad everyone's liking it. They are not replacements for the styrofoam, but a 4-piece veneer that covers it up. The more I look at the carbon fiber one the more I'm LOVING it, now the front end just pops. Little details like seeing the carbon reflection in the chrome grille (third photo) really make all the difference.

I can make up a couple more sets, so if anyone is interested just PM me for details. Here are a few more photos of the carbon fiber one.

 

[pythagoras]

I think you can turn this into a quick business until the dealers catch up. Any reason why the dealers wouldn't offer this? Nothing too warm up there to be safe for Carbon Fiber?

 

[The Fisker Guys]

I think you can turn this into a quick business until the dealers catch up. Any reason why the dealers wouldn't offer this? Nothing too warm up there to be safe for Carbon Fiber?

I did show my dealer and they are already looking at getting some. I think it'll be a nice addition straight from the dealer, one that I would have added if it were available when I got mine.
The part is not made from carbon fiber, but rather precision laser cut pieces with a 3M carbon fiber wrap that appear just like real carbon fiber. There is nothing up front that would create any heat that is near where this part is, no worries about that.

 

[Fabulist]

How hard was it to get them installed? Did you have to remove the front facia or did they slip in from below? I would love to get the CF set but I don't know about installation.

 

[The Fisker Guys]

How hard was it to get them installed? Did you have to remove the front facia or did they slip in from below? I would love to get the CF set but I don't know about installation.

The installation is not that bad. I would say anywhere from 30-60 minutes depending on if it was the first time doing something like this. The front fascia does have to come off, but it is only about 8 screws and 12 clips. I am working on making a full instruction sheet that will give you step by step instructions with photos on how to remove the fascia, install the parts, and put the fascia back on.

Now don't get me wrong, my car had 180 miles on it when I decided I was going to do this. I had nothing to follow and I had to figure it out as I went along, so it took me about and hour to remove the front fascia. Now after doing it a couple of times, it takes me about 10 minutes to pull it off. Also, there is basically nothing to break, older cars you would pop, hit, jerk ect. to get a piece like this off hoping not to crack something. With the Karma, it is all finesse, remove the bolts and clips then pull it straight off, nothing else to it.

The instruction sheet will allow just about any do it yourselfer to accomplish this install with no headaches. Or, you could always take it to your dealer or trusted body shop and have them put it on for you as well.

 

[SoCalGuy]

I'd like one too!

 

[300YdDr]

Several months ago I talked with someone at Fisker. She said they were in the process of developing several alternative grills for the Karma that would better block the "styrofoam look". Anybody heard of progress being made on that front?

 

[300YdDr]

This looks really great. What do you guys think? Maybe Fisker can do a similar thing.

http://www.collectionautosports.com/vehicle-specific/fisker/custom-grille

 

[scottf200]

That was an excellent change. I test drove the Karma a while back and could not believe my eyes when I saw the stryofoam look behind the grill. It looks so out of place and bad.

 

[SoCalGuy]

Several months ago I talked with someone at Fisker. She said they were in the process of developing several alternative grills for the Karma that would better block the "styrofoam look". Anybody heard of progress being made on that front?

I believe they are making the Sunset/Atlantic style grill options this coming year - so time will tell. That said, combining that grill with the styrofoam covers FIsker Guys have put together would be killer!

Also: Has anyone experimented with sound absorbing/deadening paint? I've read a few guys on Tesla Motors Forum are thinking of doing that to further reduce the cabin noise...

 

[Fabulist]

The installation is not that bad. I would say anywhere from 30-60 minutes depending on if it was the first time doing something like this. The front fascia does have to come off, but it is only about 8 screws and 12 clips. I am working on making a full instruction sheet that will give you step by step instructions with photos on how to remove the fascia, install the parts, and put the fascia back on.

Now don't get me wrong, my car had 180 miles on it when I decided I was going to do this. I had nothing to follow and I had to figure it out as I went along, so it took me about and hour to remove the front fascia. Now after doing it a couple of times, it takes me about 10 minutes to pull it off. Also, there is basically nothing to break, older cars you would pop, hit, jerk ect. to get a piece like this off hoping not to crack something. With the Karma, it is all finesse, remove the bolts and clips then pull it straight off, nothing else to it.

The instruction sheet will allow just about any do it yourselfer to accomplish this install with no headaches. Or, you could always take it to your dealer or trusted body shop and have them put it on for you as well.

Instead of, or in addition to, an instructions sheet, I would suggest making a step-by-step video. This would be much more helpful to those of us (myself included) whose motivation may exceed their skills.