Fisker Coachbuild

Tomorrow Fisker Coachbuild LLC is going to introduce 2 cars for the first time. I have been following this new company for a while since I think Henrik Fisker has designed some beautiful cars in the past. I did not know that the 2 models they are introducing are based on the M/B SL55 and the 645Ci. The Fisker Tramonto, based on the SL55, will come with a Leeman-tuned supercharged engine that makes 610 hp. That sounds exciting but the cost is going to be very high - $128,000 in addition to the sticker cost of $125,775 for a new SL. So that is over $250K. What car will this compete against? the Ferrari 612, Aston Martin DB9 Volante and maybe the new Bentley convertibles that are coming out in the near future I would guess. But would anyone get a Fisker for the exclusivity over any of the cars listed above? I dont' think I would even if money was no object.
The Latigo(645 based) car looks too much like a 645Ci IMO and the Tramonto looks a lot like an Aston(which is a little bizarre since it is based on a SL)

So do you think Fisker will be successful or go out of business in the near future?
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The convertible looks so much like a DB9 Volante.

 

So is it like a kit car? or like an amg package?

 

I read about this venture and thought a couple of things:

Henrik Fisker did an excellent job at Aston Martin.
The BMW Z8 has some nice angles, mainly from the rear.
The exclusive new designs aren't any better than the original donor cars.

I don't think this venture will pan out. If you are going to do exclusive coachbuilt designs, they have to stand out. That's what people paid for back in the day. The 2 proposed designs just don't stand out from the crowd. They look like every other car on the road.

If I were to have a coachbuilt custom, I'd want it to look like nothing else. Something along the lines of an Ariel Atom. Nothing else like it.

But that's just my opinion.

 

I love the coachbuilt concept. Give Fisker and his group time. They're wonderful people and really know their way around the cars and the industry.

I wish them all the best.

--Dan

 

The one thing Fisker has going for him is his designs look good to just about everyone. They don't require a learning curve to appreciate. You don't have to get used to them. They don't look awkward from some angles. And they're very photogenic. Kind of like a great supermodel...

I saw a sketch of his convertible design in one of the mags and it looked great. Hopefully, practical considerations have not watered it down too much. Looking forward to seeing how it turned out.

 

I can't help it. Every time I see this thread title I think of those Chevy and Oldsmobile door sill emblems...
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He needs to get a better company name.

 

I just don't see it. Those cars do not look distinctive enough to warrant the cost/risk asociated with owning one. They like a composition of several cars, the Z8, 645 and SL donor cars, the XK8 etc. It just doesn't scream custom coach built car to me.

 

a little ugly to me, but 610 hp kind of off sets the uglyness a bit

 

That is EXACTLY what I thought before I even clicked this post!

 

In my opinion, he should either build a complete car, unique from the ground up, or get back to his career in design. Why mess with a perfectly good SL55? And besides, the body looks like an Aston Martin rip-off. If I were Aston, I would sue Fisker for copying the design. Even though Fisker penned the design, it still belongs to Aston.

 

BMW NEEDS TO HIRE THIS MAN OR I WILL PERSONALLY PEE ON CHRIS BANGLE'S HEAD!!!

 

Every car Henrik Fisker has designed recently has been almost identical, just look at the new Jaguar, he designed that using the DB9 drawings and a piece of tracing paper

But you got to admire him from leaving a top job at Ford, to go do his own cars.

 

Larger pictures of the Tramanto can be found here.

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_frankfurt/fisker/pages/01.htm

 

"Got Rear ended by a Fisker....."
"the Fisker 5000 head room....."
"The deep sound of the Fisker's power..."

Sounds like a bondage party

FIND A BETTER NAME FOR THE COMPANY

 

How about Lutefisker?

 

Actually, I'm very excited to see how this experiment works out for Mr. Fisker. This is actually what I wanted to build Ryalex Design up to - totally rebodying 360 Modenas with a new skin.

 

"Mr Fisker? Aston's on the phone and they want their car back. Oh, and Ferrari called and wants their wheels."

 

Why did you say wanted? Did I miss something? I have loved your mods so far, would love to see what you could do to a complete car!

 

This designer has one idea he uses over and over...like the designer who left Alfa and went to Subaru.

 

LOL. Yep, Ryalex Design, RIP (2004-2005). I might try again later when I can put in more personal investment. I still have a slew of things I want to do.

 

Too bad to hear. But congrats on giving something you love a shot! Good luck in your next (ad)venture!

 

The cars are gorgeous, especially the Tramanto. However, I'd wait to see the Ferrari 600 and it's convertible version before I placed a deposit.

In the long run, however, I think they'll find 150 people who want their transformed SL 55 and M6, even for $250K. I think they should have transformed the S 55 instead of the M6, with its child-only rear seats. The convertible will be a hit in Hollywood and FL, however.

It's stiff competition in this segment- Ferrari and Lamborghini territory, even Brabus. But they seem to have a clear understanding of their target.

I wish them success and who knows, I might have to have one if it's as stunning in person as it is in photos.

Forza,


Cavallini

 

i read somewhere that he is not even offering the horsepower upgrades as standard, and that kleeman is doing the modifications.