2023 Fisker Ocean One $72k Msrp on 2040-cars

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Karma Revero will be unveiled, with pricing, this summer

The Karma Revero, the high-end extended-range plug-in vehicle that will be the successor to the Fisker Karma, will have a prototype unveiled and will announce its pricing this summer, the Los Angeles Times says. Karma may produce as many as 3,000 vehicles a year out of its Southern California factory. The automaker, now owned by China-based Wanxiang Group, also may pursue the direct-to-consumer distribution model used by electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors, the Times says, citing Karma chief marketing officer Jim Taylor. The former Fisker Automotive's assets were acquired out of bankruptcy by Wanxiang Group in 2014 after Fisker, with its vehicles' 33-mile all-electric range, stopped making cars in 2012 and went under. The four-door Karma Revero, which is said to deliver more than 400 horsepower, will look similar to the Fisker Karma and will also likely be priced at more than $100,000. Karma is making the vehicles out of a 550,000-square-foot factory in Moreno Valley, California, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. The production line at the Valmet factory in Finland where the first batch of Karmas was made was broken down into parts and shipped to California for the new plant, while about 120 finished Karmas that were never sold were eventually used for test vehicles. Karma officially changed its name from Fisker last year. Fisker, which at one time was going to build a second model called the Atlantic, was founded in 2007 by famed designer Henrik Fisker, who now helps run a coach-building company. Karma Automotive is also planning to build sales and engineering offices in Troy, Michigan, near Detroit, as the company is receiving some funding from the state of Michigan. About 150 workers will be housed at the $3.6 million facility. Related Video:

Fisker Ocean shows its Revolve infotainment screen

Fisker Automotive is finally spotlighting a feature that got talked about at the global debut of the Ocean SUV at last year's L.A. Auto Show, but we didn't see in action. It's called Revolve, and does just that to the Ocean's 17.1-inch infotainment screen. Vertical orientation is called Control Mode, when occupants are using the screen for all of the typical infotainment purposes. At what we imagine is the press of a button, the screen rotates 90 degrees clockwise to enter what's referred to as Hollywood Mode, wherein its 16:9 aspect ratio would make it ideal for watching movies and playing games. Screen sounds get piped through a 16-speaker audio system. The cinematic rotation can only be had while parked, we're told. Buyers who want the presto-change-o viewing options might need to step to the top of the Fisker Ocean range; we know Revolve will come standard on the top Extreme trim. It will also be included with the Ocean One, but that model is limited to the first 5,000 units built. The series production Extreme starts at $68,999 before destination, comes with a dual-motor AWD powertrain putting out 550 horsepower, and is expected to get more than 350 miles on a charge. It's unclear at the moment whether the entry-level Ocean Sport and midgrade Ocean Ultra will offer Revolve as an option. When in Control Mode, the screens will be running a custom infotainment software Fisker is developing with Japan's Sharp Corporation, running on screens developed just for Fisker's line of vehicles. The company said, "Our collaboration with Sharp is set to create exciting new automotive display systems, featuring innovative backlight solutions to improve illumination without increasing power consumption – in addition to class-leading resolution, bezels, and design." The Ocean is slated to enter production at a Magna Steyr facility in Austria in November. If history is a guide, initial deliveries will prioritize more expensive reservations.  Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Henrik Fisker interview, and driving the Polestar 2 | Autoblog Podcast #643

NHTSA opens preliminary probe into Fisker Ocean over door failure

The U.S. auto safety regulator said on Wednesday it had opened a preliminary probe into Fisker's 2023 Ocean SUVs after complaints that the doors of the electric vehicles sometimes failed to open, the latest setback for the cash-strapped startup. The regulator said its Office of Defects Investigation received 14 complaints alleging an intermittent failure of the latch and handle that prevented the opening of the driver, front passenger and/or rear doors. Some of the reports also alleged the emergency override mechanism also failed to open the door. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) preliminary evaluation will look into the scope and severity of the potential problem to assess its impact on safety. The regulator could close the investigation into Fisker without taking any potential action. Fisker, whose stock was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange last month over failure to comply with listing norms, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NHTSA is also investigating Fisker for two prior incidents — one regarding issues with the 2023 Ocean SUV's brakes and the other pertaining to unintended vehicle movement. Fisker is facing mounting uncertainty after talks with a large automaker for a potential investment collapsed last month, forcing it to look for options including in- or out-of-court restructurings and capital market transactions. The company said last week it would cut the prices of its 2023 Ocean SUV models to boost sales and raise capital to meet debt obligations as it faces depleting cash reserves. Fisker, like other EV makers, is grappling with intense competition, as well as customers holding back big-ticket purchases due to higher borrowing costs and economic uncertainty. The company said on March 18 that it would pause vehicle production for six weeks.