[SoCalGuy]

A couple of articles came out today, some with quotes from Henrik.

AutoCar (article below)
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Fisker/262069/

This is the Fisker Atlantic luxury saloon, which will spearhead the company’s ambition to produce a four-door, £40,000 electric rival to the BMW 5-series. The car, known as Project Nina during most of its development, is angled as a model with more widespread appeal than Fisker’s first offering, the £80,000 Karma.

Company chief Henrik Fisker said that lessons learned from the production of the Karma
had been incorporated into the new car’s development. “We launched Karma first to define what the brand was all about,” he said. “Obviously, Atlantic will sell in greater volumes, but we wanted to be known as a premium maker before introducing something cheaper.

“There’s nothing out there like Atlantic. Who says that you can’t have beauty in volume segments?”

Fisker is promising that the Atlantic’s interior will be “really special”. Three differently themed interior trim levels will be offered, from a sports-styled layout to a luxurious one aimed at female buyers.

A convertible version of the Atlantic is planned, and it is possible that the model could spawn a range of different body styles in the future. The car is also likely to be offered in right-hand drive.

The Atlantic uses a BMW engine as its range extender. It is said to be more refined than the GM-based engine in the Karma and, therefore, more in keeping with Fisker’s luxury brief. The Atlantic is based on a new platform and is expected to go into production at Fisker’s Delaware plant in the autumn of 2013. This schedule could be pushed back, however, following Fisker’s recent funding dispute with the US Department of Energy.

The Atlantic is likely to go on sale before the Surf, which is the shooting brake variant of the Karma.

Fisker sources have also indicated that the Sunset — a convertible Karma concept unveiled in 2009 - is now unlikely to be produced.

 

[ringme]

A couple of articles came out today, some with quotes from Henrik.

AutoCar (article below)
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Fisker/262069/

This is the Fisker Atlantic luxury saloon, which will spearhead the company’s ambition to produce a four-door, £40,000 electric rival to the BMW 5-series. The car, known as Project Nina during most of its development, is angled as a model with more widespread appeal than Fisker’s first offering, the £80,000 Karma.

Company chief Henrik Fisker said that lessons learned from the production of the Karma
had been incorporated into the new car’s development. “We launched Karma first to define what the brand was all about,” he said. “Obviously, Atlantic will sell in greater volumes, but we wanted to be known as a premium maker before introducing something cheaper.

“There’s nothing out there like Atlantic. Who says that you can’t have beauty in volume segments?”

Fisker is promising that the Atlantic’s interior will be “really special”. Three differently themed interior trim levels will be offered, from a sports-styled layout to a luxurious one aimed at female buyers.

A convertible version of the Atlantic is planned, and it is possible that the model could spawn a range of different body styles in the future. The car is also likely to be offered in right-hand drive.

The Atlantic uses a BMW engine as its range extender. It is said to be more refined than the GM-based engine in the Karma and, therefore, more in keeping with Fisker’s luxury brief. The Atlantic is based on a new platform and is expected to go into production at Fisker’s Delaware plant in the autumn of 2013. This schedule could be pushed back, however, following Fisker’s recent funding dispute with the US Department of Energy.

The Atlantic is likely to go on sale before the Surf, which is the shooting brake variant of the Karma.

Fisker sources have also indicated that the Sunset — a convertible Karma concept unveiled in 2009 - is now unlikely to be produced.

Beautiful car. I cant wait to hear the technical details. I hope Fisker places the batteries flat 'Skateboard' rather than the tunnel down the middle. The tunnel approach would really reduce the interior room in a car this size. Also, I've got one minor suggestion on the rear end, Henrik should do something with the empty space between the taillights. Maybe change the location of the Atlantic badge, place it right under the Fisker emblem, breakup all the dead space.

 

[SoCalGuy]

I am very curious to see what Fisker has done with the battery in the Atlantic - I've heard rumors that it will have less electric range than the Karma (due to smaller batteries) - equally as important is the packaging of both the battery and the electric motor (singular). It would be interesting if Fisker did use a skateboard battery approach like the Model S/GM HyWire, but I'm not sure if A123 has done a pack like that before. Its curious that none of the photos we've seen thus far show the interior enough to give us a hint on battery configuration!

If they're going to a single electric motor, I wonder how much HP and torque it will have - my guess is something around 300HP and likely 500lb ft or torque (remember the BMW N20 engine will produce about 240HP and 260lb ft of torque).

 

[AnOutsider]

(remember the BMW N20 engine will produce about 240HP and 260lb ft of torque).

But doesn't that only matter if the gas engine is driving the wheels?

 

[SoCalGuy]

(remember the BMW N20 engine will produce about 240HP and 260lb ft of torque).

But doesn't that only matter if the gas engine is driving the wheels?

You're correct, however, the N20 will be mated to a generator that will likely produce just under the power output of the N20 (the GM EcoTec in the Karma produces 260hp and is mated to a 235hp (175kW) generator). So my reasoning is that if the Atlantic also has the Stealth/Sport mode options like the Karma, that we'd see some combo in Sport mode that combines say the 210hp of power generated from the N20+generator with 100hp (for example) output of the battery to give us a total Sport mode peak power of 300hp+ Just my guess.

 

[ringme]

I like the emblem towards the middle. The design now look a little like a Pontiac rear end with the emblem up so high.

Original Design

 

[Fabulist]

As spectacular as the glass roof is, if I were buying one, I would opt no to get that option. I love convertibles and have had a few of them but to me, having the glass roof that does not open provides all the disadvantages of open-top motoring with none of the advantages. Of course, YMMMV.

 

[SoCalGuy]

As spectacular as the glass roof is, if I were buying one, I would opt no to get that option. I love convertibles and have had a few of them but to me, having the glass roof that does not open provides all the disadvantages of open-top motoring with none of the advantages. Of course, YMMMV.

Assuming the panoramic roof has the UV/infared protection and some light tinting, I think its a great idea. I've been in cars with panoramic roofs and with the right layers (e.g. the crystalline by 3M), there is very minimal heat/glare that comes through.

 

[Fabulist]

As spectacular as the glass roof is, if I were buying one, I would opt no to get that option. I love convertibles and have had a few of them but to me, having the glass roof that does not open provides all the disadvantages of open-top motoring with none of the advantages. Of course, YMMMV.

Assuming the panoramic roof has the UV/infared protection and some light tinting, I think its a great idea. I've been in cars with panoramic roofs and with the right layers (e.g. the crystalline by 3M), there is very minimal heat/glare that comes through.

I agree that the glare and heat could be minimized, but I still prefer a convertible top to a glass roof. I do like the visible structural reinforcements. It recalls a super modern skyscraper where the structural elements are proudly on display rather than being hidden away behind Gypsum board. It feels very reassuring.

 

[Dutch]

I am very curious to see what Fisker has done with the battery in the Atlantic - I've heard rumors that it will have less electric range than the Karma (due to smaller batteries) - equally as important is the packaging of both the battery and the electric motor (singular). It would be interesting if Fisker did use a skateboard battery approach like the Model S/GM HyWire, but I'm not sure if A123 has done a pack like that before. Its curious that none of the photos we've seen thus far show the interior enough to give us a hint on battery configuration!

The picture from above gives us a bit of an interior view. It looks like there isn't going to be a big central tunnel, like the Karma has. In the picture you can see the right side of the left rear seat. In the Karma the same view - if it has a glass roof - would be obstructed by the central tunnel.

 

[doug]

The picture from above gives us a bit of an interior view. It looks like there isn't going to be a big central tunnel, like the Karma has. In the picture you can see the right side of the left rear seat. In the Karma the same view - if it has a glass roof - would be obstructed by the central tunnel.

Do you think it will be a 5 seater then? I don't see a head rest in the middle.

 

[SoCalGuy]

The picture from above gives us a bit of an interior view. It looks like there isn't going to be a big central tunnel, like the Karma has. In the picture you can see the right side of the left rear seat. In the Karma the same view - if it has a glass roof - would be obstructed by the central tunnel.

Do you think it will be a 5 seater then? I don't see a head rest in the middle.

I'm guessing it HAS to be a 5-seater for this to be a car that appeals to the 5-series segment. We're at T minus 28 hours...

 

[SoCalGuy]

Some larger photos... that look, well, orange.

In these larger photos, you can definitely notice:

1. The BMW engine exhaust is just in front of the rocker, by the driver's door

2. Mud flaps (?) behind each of the tires

3. Side reflectors are only on the front wheels

 

[ringme]

Anyone want to guess the weight. I'm hoping it's not over 4,000 lbs. Ideally the weight comes in around 3,500lbs or less!

Hopefully we'll se comparable electric only range as the Karma and significantly better ICE only range.

 

[LonePalmBJ]

Anyone want to guess the weight. I'm hoping it's not over 4,000 lbs. Ideally the weight comes in around 3,500lbs or less!

Hopefully we'll se comparable electric only range as the Karma and significantly better ICE only range.

I would be shocked if it's under 4500lbs. I would also be shocked if they announce a weight target or guidance tomorrow or even in the next several months.

 

[SoCalGuy]

Well I doubt the car will have the Brembos... which should save 300-400lbs. The N20 I think is about 40-50lbs lighter than the Ecotec. The tires will probably not be 22'... Maybe 20's? Which should save maybe another 50lbs. There is no solar panel roof which should also save some weight. Henrik said previously it will have a single electric motor instead of two, so that will also save weight. I think those items alone should save 600-700lbs at least. I'd suspect this car should weigh 400-450lbs more than the Model S.

 

[dennis]

From these pictures, it looks like the panoramic roof is integral to the design of the car. The rear window shape would look odd if you removed the other glass areas of the roof.[hr]

I'm guessing it HAS to be a 5-seater for this to be a car that appeals to the 5-series segment. We're at T minus 28 hours...

There doesn't appear to be a headrest in the center of the back seat.

 

[SoCalGuy]

A few more hours... And we'll know more. Excited