Is this the car to take on Tesla?

The Fisker eMotion will be aimed at the premium electric car market
Fisker EMotion Concept Drawing
Image: Fisker Inc
Ashley Coates30 December 2016

Six years ago, Henrik Fisker unveiled the sleek-looking £184,000 Fisker Karma. A hybrid with two 120kW electric motors and a GM 2.0-litre petrol engine, it was aimed at the luxury EV market, and attracted widespread attention.

Just as consumer demand for electric vehicles started to take off, Fisker's battery supplier filed for bankruptcy, and Fisker Automotive itself was forced to file for bankruptcy in 2012.

Technology has moved on in leaps and bounds since then, and now Henrik Fisker has announced his intention to re-enter the market with a new car, the EMotion. Developed by a new company, Fisker Inc, the EMotion is expected to have a range of 400 miles and a top speed of 161 mph.

With a range like that, the EMotion would be able to travel further without charge than the current Tesla Model S by about 85 miles. The use of light weight materials such as carbon fibre and alumnimium will be key to achieving the EMotion's specified range, as will new graphene (rather than lithium) batteries, developed in partnership with Nanotech Energy Inc.

Fisker Karma PHEV
Image: A123Systems

Fisker says the interior will be just as impressive as the EV technology, featuring more legroom than any other car currently in the premium saloon market and infotainment screens for every passenger. It will do this by making the most of the electric power train layout, which has given Fisker's team the reflexibility to make a larger interior than you would usually find on a car with the EMotion's wheelbase.

In common with the new Tesla Model S, the EMotion will also be autonomous-driving-ready when the first cars start appearing in 2017. This does not mean the car will be able to self-drive the moment customers walk out of the showroom, but it will have the built-in hardware available for when self-driving becomes a more conventional, and legal, way of getting around.

Fisker EMotion
Image: Fisker Inc

It will be the latest in a series of striking cars for Henrik Fisker, who also oversaw the design of the Aston Martin DB9, Aston Martin V8 Vantage and BMW Z8 before starting his own firm. The original Fisker Automotive company was bought by a Chinese firm, Wanxiang, and launched the £103,000 Fisker Karma Revero over the summer.

It looks much the same as the original Karma, but features an improved electric engine, as well as a solar roof that, according to the firm, "can generate up to 1.5 miles of electric range per day, depending on weather conditions".

The Fisker EMotion is expected to debut in the second half of next year, with production times to be announced after the debut.

Follow Evening Standard Motors on Twitter: @ES_Motors.

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