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58-655: The Atlantic was scheduled to become Fisker Automotive 's second production car, after plans to produce the Fisker Surf and Sunset variants of its full-size Karma were shelved earlier in 2012. Production was initially scheduled to begin by the end of 2012 at Wilmington Assembly , a former General Motors plant in Wilmington, Delaware . By October 2012, the carmaker decided to postpone production for late 2014 or 2015 due to financial constraints, but following Fisker's bankruptcy and subsequent purchase by Wanxiang, possible production of

116-572: A $ 529 million loan from the federal government. The company raised over $ 1 billion from private investors such as the Kleiner Perkins venture capital firm. However, it repeatedly missed production deadlines, and production of the Fisker Karma was suspended in November 2012 with about 2,450 Karmas built since 2011 and just over 2,000 cars sold worldwide. The New York Times described the company as

174-617: A deal with BMW for them to supply turbocharged 2.0 liter four cylinder engines for the Atlantic, with the car using a similar plug in hybrid system as the Karma. By February 2012, Fisker had established 45 dealerships in the US and three in Canada. By March 2012, the company had built over 2,450 vehicles, with over 2000 cars delivered to customers by the end of 2012. Fisker Automotive distributed vehicles through

232-473: A heavy discount. On November 22, 2013, Fisker filed its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. Concurrently, on November 23, 2013, Fisker agreed, subject to bankruptcy court approval, to be acquired by Hybrid, owned by Hong Kong billionaire, Richard Li. At the last moment, though, Chinese parts supplier Wanxiang Group submitted a competing bid of US$ 24.75 million, supported by the Official Creditors' Committee in

290-573: A limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The SL 63 AMG engine was built in Mercedes-AMG. The SL 63 AMG also includes the new AMG-developed 7-speed MCT " M ulti C lutch T echnology" automatic transmission . The new MCT transmission is essentially the 7G-Tronic transmission without a torque converter. Instead of a torque converter, it uses a compact wet startup clutch to start the car off, and also supports computer-controlled double declutching. The MCT (Multi-Clutch Technology) acronym refers to

348-512: A max of 7200 rpm for a period as the oil temperature and other engine parameters permit, a higher compression ratio, a new intake manifold and featuring extensive modifications to and lightening of the valve train. In this case, however, the extra power does not come at the expense of fuel economy: with a consumption figure of 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres, the new SL 350 undercuts the previous model developing 200 kW (272 PS; 268 hp) by 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres. Mercedes-Benz

406-516: A modern automobile produced after 1975 is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Fisker Automotive Fisker Automotive was an American automobile company. It produced the Fisker Karma , which was one of the world's first production luxury plug-in hybrid electric vehicles . The company was founded in 2007 by Henrik Fisker , a Danish automobile designer. The company received significant private and public investment, including

464-420: A new bumper with three large cooling air intakes and a more pronounced V-shape as well as fog lamps with chrome surrounds, new light-alloy wheels, new rear light. Interior changes include softer leather upholstery, new interior colours, high-quality metal door sills with Mercedes-Benz lettering and embossed aluminium trim elements, removable luggage cover, optional remote boot-lid release. The roof opening mechanism

522-455: A new top-of-the-line SL 65 AMG. ABC ( Active Body Control ) was improved to reduce body movements in dynamic driving by up to 60%, standard on all models except the SL 350. The new engines were mated to a new 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic, with a Sport option to allow shifting to be performed up to 30% faster in manual "M" mode, and with added steering-wheel shift paddles. Exterior styling changes include

580-562: A planetary (automatic) transmission's multiple clutches and bands for each gear. The MCT is fitted with four drive modes: "C" (Comfort), "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport plus), and "M" (Manual) and boasts 100 millisecond shifts in "M" mode. The new car features the new AMG DRIVE UNIT with innovative Race Start function. The AMG DRIVE UNIT is the central control unit for the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission and all driving dynamics functions. The driver can change gears either using

638-463: A quarter mile run in 11.9 seconds at 120 mph (193 km/h). Production of the SL 600 ended in 2011 leaving the SL 65 AMG as the only V12-engined R230 and R231 . The SL underwent a facelift in 2006, and was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show . Changes include new engines for SL 350 and SL 500 (called SL 550 in North America), with improved performance on SL 55 AMG and SL 600, as well as

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696-640: A recall of its battery by supplier A123 systems in December 2011, followed by a second recall in March 2012, and eventually A123 Systems' bankruptcy in August 2012. In addition to production stopping for over five months, with no date announced to recommence, the planned production of the second model, the Fisker Atlantic, was postponed, together with the cessation of development of the new model. In February 2012, Tom LaSorda

754-671: A royalty to GM for each door handle in the Karma, which was much cheaper than designing its own door handles. However, the A123 battery failure and its resulting recall, and the eventual bankruptcy of the battery supplier, led to significant problems and added cost to the manufacture of the Karma model, finally resulting in Fisker's bankruptcy. In 2008, Fisker estimated 15,000 cars per year would be assembled by Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki , Finland . Manufacturing eventually commenced in 2011 but by

812-505: A short wheelbase hardtop convertible version of the Karma called the Sunset , with the intent of series production. At the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show , Fisker showed the Surf, a concept model based on the Karma with a station wagon bodystyle. According to Fisker this bodystyle had been planned from the beginning of design work on the Karma. Fisker described the Surf as a "merger of a sports car with

870-560: A special coilover suspension setup developed by KW . It is a version of SL roadster in iconic matte black paint with 19-inch AMG five-spoke light-alloy wheels in a two-tone high-gloss finish, silver-painted front brake calipers with the Mercedes-Benz logo, darkened headlamps/tail lights, black nappa leather upholstery with shining chrome trim, seats with arrow-shaped seams and silver-coloured contrasting features, sports steering wheel and shift lever and roof lining in black, trim strip of

928-468: A standstill in 3.6 seconds, 100 mph (161 km/h) in 7.5 seconds and recorded a quarter mile time of 11.6 seconds at 123 mph (198 km/h). The facelifted SL model was revealed in the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008. The SL received a new, more aggressive front end reflecting Mercedes's new design philosophy, with a pair of long powerdomes on the bonnet and a single-bar grille replacing

986-571: A station wagon" and said he was inspired by cars such as the Jensen Interceptor and Lamborghini Espada . In August 2012 Fisker announced that the Sunset and the Surf were both on hold, as the company had decided to focus on the planned mid-sized Atlantic sedan. The Atlantic was intended to be Fisker's entry into the midsize sedan segment, similar in size to cars such as the Audi A5 . Originally under development as "Project Nina", Fisker had reached

1044-525: A traditional dealer network and partnered with five importers: GP Supercars (Merano, Italy), Nellemann (Copenhagen, Denmark); the Emil Frey Group (Zurich, Switzerland); BD Otomotive (Istanbul, Turkey) and Al-Futtaim Group (Middle East and North Africa). Fisker Automotive used to retain core competencies, such as design, engineering and marketing, in house, but outsourced manufacturing of its first vehicle Fisker Karma. Fisker's outsourcing methods allowed

1102-601: Is 250 kilograms (551 lb) lighter than regular SL 65 AMG by the use of light carbon fibre composite (CFRP) parts and the omission of the SL's normal foldable hardtop roof, replacing it with a fixed roof. Not only did this save weight, it also made room available for the retractable rear spoiler. The SL 65 AMG Black Series has a limited top speed of about 200 mph (322 km/h) and can go from 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) in 3.8 seconds. The AMG Speedshift Plus five-speed automatic transmission include "C", "S", "M1", and "M2" which has gearshift times 25 percent quicker than

1160-464: Is a limited (200 units) version of SL 63 AMG. It included Designo Magno Kashmir white finish, AMG Exterior Carbon package with matte surface, interior Carbon matte trim with Tobago Brown nappa leather upholstery, AMG Performance package, 'Grosse Ingenieur' (Big Engineer) watch from Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen . The vehicle went on sale beginning in fall 2008, with deliveries beginning in November 2008. The high performance Black Series version of

1218-524: Is extending the SL-Class line-up by introducing an attractive entry-level model in the shape of the SL 280 developing 170 kW (231 PS; 228 hp). The six cylinder powerplant delivers its peak torque of 300 N⋅m (221 lbf⋅ft) from 2500 rpm and accelerates the roadster from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.8 seconds, whilst fuel consumption ( NEDC ) is just 9.4 L/100 km (30 mpg ‑imp ; 25 mpg ‑US ). It features

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1276-583: Is the highest-powered version of the non-AMG SL-Class models. It uses a V12 engine which produced 368 kW (500 PS; 493 hp) and 800 N⋅m (590 lb⋅ft) from 2003 through 2006 and was uprated to 380 kW (517 PS; 510 hp) and 830 N⋅m (610 lb⋅ft) for 2007. It accelerates from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz. However Car and Driver achieved extremely impressive acceleration test figures with 60 mph (97 km/h) achieved in just 3.6 seconds, 100 mph (161 km/h) in 8.6 seconds and

1334-606: The 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show and 2001 Bologna Motor Show , replacing the R129 . The R230 underwent revisions in 2006 and 2008, and was superseded by the new SL-Class R231 in 2011. In early 1996, over six years into the life of the R129, development work on a successor began. On 27 January 1996, design work commenced, and draft designs were submitted by ten designers in Germany, California, and Japan. Hundreds of sketches were submitted and would form

1392-580: The 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show that September. Production began on 13 October 2001 at the Bremen plant and European sales commenced that November. This car first appeared as the Safety Car for Formula One at the 2001 German Grand Prix in Hockenheim. The street version was unveiled at the 2001 IAA. The range was launched with a film style advertisement called Lucky Star . 50th Anniversary Edition SL With

1450-601: The Fisker Karma , which was announced at the North American International Auto Show in January 2008. Tesla's suit claimed that the design work done for the Model S by Fisker Coachbuild was substandard, and that Fisker diverted its best ideas to the Karma. In early 2009, the suit was settled in Fisker's favor and Tesla was ordered to pay Fisker more than US$ 1.1 million in legal fees. Fisker's problems started with

1508-467: The " Solyndra of the electric car industry" and a "debacle". The company's federal loan was suspended in 2011; the government recovered some of the invested funds, but nevertheless took a $ 139 million loss. In February 2014, Fisker Automotive's Karma vehicle design, tooling, and a manufacturing facility in Delaware were purchased by Chinese auto parts conglomerate Wanxiang Group . In 2016, Wanxiang renamed

1566-484: The "M1" mode. The Black Series front axle track width is 97 millimetres wider and the rear axle track width 85 millimetres wider over regular model. Other changes include retractable rear spoiler and the rear apron with diffuser fins, 265/35R19 front tyres with 19×9.5 inch AMG light-alloy wheels and AMG 20×11.5-inch light-alloy wheels with 325/30R20 tyres (Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tyres), 6-piston front calipers with 390×36mm discs and 4-piston calipers with 360×26mm discs, and

1624-579: The 2004 model year there was a limited production model of 500 units introduced to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the SL roadster model fitted with the 245 PS (180 kW) 3500cc V6 engine along with the five-speed automatic transmission or a 5-litre 306 PS (225 kW) V8 engine with 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission. This Anniversary Edition came only in iridium silver metallic exterior, black leather interior with black ash wood trim, exclusive twin-spoke rims, custom luggage bag for rear shelf, and many other standard options and features. The SL 600

1682-515: The AIRSCARF heating system used in the SLK. The facelifted SL 63 AMG loses AMG's 5.4 L M113 in favour of the newer M156 6.2 L V8 used in the S 63 AMG , CLK 63 AMG , E 63 AMG , and C 63 AMG . It produces 525 PS (386 kW; 518 hp) at 6800 rpm and 630 N⋅m (465 lbf⋅ft) of torque at 5200 rpm. It can accelerate from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds going up to

1740-405: The Atlantic was postponed to the end of 2017. Originally called "Project Nina", the Atlantic shares the range-extender system from the larger Karma , which employs a petrol engine that can be turned on to generate electricity to recharge the batteries and power the electric drive motors. A four-cylinder BMW petrol engine serves this role in the Atlantic. The Atlantic is rear-wheel drive , with

1798-644: The Fisker logo and trademarks. Wanxiang Group then transformed the assets of Fisker Automotive into a new company named Karma Automotive , thus launching the Karma Revero plug-in hybrid car based on the Fisker Karma. Henrik Fisker would later start another electric vehicle company named Fisker Inc. in 2016 with the Fisker logo and trademarks. The Karma was a plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan produced by Fisker Automotive and manufactured at Valmet Automotive in Finland. After missing its initial late 2009 launch, and after

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1856-460: The SL 65 AMG was unveiled in Monterey in 2008. The turbochargers are 12% larger, and the optimised wastegate ducts permit increased air throughout. The intake air ducting and exhaust system are modified to improve response and reduce the exhaust gas backpressure. These engine improvements result in a 58 PS (43 kW; 57 hp) higher power output than the standard AMG model. The Black Series

1914-670: The SLR Mclaren hit the market in 2003. Jeremy Clarkson owned one of the first SL 55 AMGs. Mercedes engineers claimed that the SL 55 AMG could reach 208 mph if it was derestricted. The SL 65 AMG version offers 604 hp (450 kW) from its twin-turbocharged 5,980 cc V12 engine at 5500 rpm. It retailed for $ 179,720 as of 2005. Mercedes-Benz listed a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.2 seconds on their official website, though several road tests show that it actually takes under 4 seconds to reach 60 mph (97 km/h). Car and Driver achieved 60 mph (97 km/h) from

1972-705: The assets of Fisker after a three-day auction against Hybrid with a bid of $ 149.2 million, with bidding starting at $ 55 million, significantly more than the previous $ 24.75 million bid, and significantly higher than the $ 25 million Hybrid Technology LLC paid the Department of Energy for a $ 164 million loan note. On top of the $ 25 million, the DOE also recouped $ 28 million from Fisker for a total of $ 53 million recovered of its $ 192 million loan. Following Fisker Automotive's structured bankruptcy auction in February 2014, Henrik Fisker retained

2030-498: The basis for twelve quarter-scale models digitized for computer manipulation. Design of the R230 would progress through two different formats. The real world process centered on the traditional 1:4 scale models, with most of them initially being done clay. Virtual world design development took place in a room packed with state-of-the-art computer processing technology referred to as the "CAVE" (Computer Aided Virtual Environment). This technology

2088-529: The business soon gave way to Fisker Automotive, a true automobile manufacturer. In 2009, Fisker mentioned plans for another plug-in hybrid, a "high-volume vehicle for a lower price", subject to getting a U.S. Department of Energy loan to build about 100,000 vehicles annually in the United States. On April 14, 2008, Tesla Motors filed a lawsuit against Fisker Automotive, alleging they stole Tesla's technology and were using it to develop their own hybrid car,

2146-472: The cars burned, because six to eight feet of seawater caused a short circuit in a vehicle control unit in one Karma, and high winds spread the resulting fire to 15 others. The company said that its lithium-ion battery was not at fault. Insurer XL Insurance America initially denied the roughly US$ 30 million loss claim and was subsequently sued by Fisker in New York State Supreme Court. The case

2204-410: The case. Wanxiang had earlier lost out to Hybrid in bidding for purchase of the government's loan to Fisker. Wanxiang owns A123 Systems LLC, Fisker's former battery supplier, and Fisker argued that Wanxiang's conduct was partly responsible for Fisker's business failure. As part of its bid, Wanxiang proposed restarting production of the Karma. Wanxiang received court approval on February 18, 2014, to buy

2262-435: The company a 2–3 year period of development instead of the typical 5 years and at a cost of US$ 333 million instead of $ 1 billion, and claimed that it could make a profit from selling just 15,000 cars. Fisker used to save significant development costs by using pre-engineered components developed by other car companies whenever possible, such as the door handle mechanism which was a General Motors part; Fisker Automotive just paid

2320-933: The draught-stop has a high-gloss finish, silver-coloured vents at AIRSCARF system. Available only in model year 2011, there were 100 made. It is a version of SL 300, SL 350, and SL 500 commemorating 125th anniversary of Karl Benz inventing the automobile. SL 350 Grand Edition included 19-inch AMG 5-spoke alloy wheel in titanium, front brake callipers with the Mercedes-Benz logo, drill bench rated brake discs, twin chrome square exhaust tips, chrome shoulder line trim, high gloss door handle, Grand Edition side emblem, nappa leather seat, SLR design shift knob, prism pattern aluminium trim, silver colour AIRSCARF vent, chrome door sill plate, chrome draught strap, floor mat with Grand Edition logo, ashtray with Grand Edition logo. Other options include AMG sport package, designo piano lacquer black wood trim. SL 500 Grand Edition included 19-inch AMG 5-spoke alloy wheel in titanium, front brake callipers with

2378-458: The equity investors as a senior creditor since they purchased the Department of Energy loan note to Fisker Automotive in November 2013. In total, the company raised well over $ 1 billion from private investors. Fisker had received a US$ 528.7 million conditional loan in September 2009 from the Department of Energy's US$ 25 billion Advanced Technologies Vehicle Manufacturing Loan Program (ATVM). Of

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2436-424: The holding company for the assets of Fisker Automotive Karma Automotive . Henrik Fisker co-founded Fisker Automotive in 2007 with Fisker Coachbuild partner Bernhard Koehler and Quantum Technologies after securing U$ 5.2 million investment from Gianfranco Pizzuto, an Italian businessman, and Palo Alto Investors. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers , a venture capital firm, was one of the early investors. Fisker

2494-459: The launch was rescheduled several times, the first deliveries took place in the U.S. in late July 2011 and deliveries to retail customers began in November 2011. The 20.1 kWh (72.36 MJ) lithium ion rechargeable battery in each car came from A123 Systems in Watertown, Massachusetts. The aluminum frame was engineered by Fisker and was supplied by Norsk Hydro from Norway . The cabin interior

2552-463: The loan. The loan received additional scrutiny for being awarded for the manufacture of luxury vehicles that are too expensive for much of the general public. Fisker investor Ray Lane responded that the issues were being blown out of proportion due to election-year politics. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R230) The R230 generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class was introduced at

2610-399: The most noticeable is the three-slat grille rather than the four-slat version used previously. The top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), but can be extended to 300 km/h (186 mph) for an additional cost. The 6.2 litre V8 replaced the current engine for the 2009 model year. Upon release in 2002 this was for its time the fastest automatic car in the world. This was before

2668-504: The new AMG selector lever with its leather/ carbon-fibre finish, or by nudging the AMG steering-wheel shift paddles. The new Race start Function is a launch control system which enables the SL 63 AMG driver to call on maximum acceleration, while ensuring optimum traction of the driven wheels. A modified version of the SL 63 was the Safety Car for the Formula One seasons of 2008 and 2009 . It

2726-429: The old three-bar effort. Improvements have been made also on the engines. The 3.5 L V6 is uprated to 311 PS (229 kW; 307 hp) at 6500 rpm. Compared to the previous 3.5-litre engine, the output has been boosted by 16 percent. Torque has also been improved adding 10 N⋅m (7.4 lb⋅ft) to the previous 350 N⋅m (258 lbf⋅ft) making it 360 N⋅m (266 lbf⋅ft). This engine now can rev up to

2784-449: The option of four-wheel drive . Similar in design to the Karma , the Atlantic is a 4-door, 4-seat sedan with C-pillar door handles and it is a D-segment sedan . Although the details are not finalized, Fisker has compared the vehicle to the Audi A5 and BMW 335i in terms of size and price range. The expected all-electric range is 30 mi (48 km). This article about

2842-480: The plant was ultimately torn down. Fisker Automotive's investors have included Leonardo DiCaprio , Palo Alto Investors, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers , Qatar Holdings, LLC , A123 Systems, and Ace Investments. In April 2012, Fisker announced it had received $ 392 million in a round of financing, which was in addition to $ 850 million in private investment it had received in previous rounds. In Fisker's bankruptcy case, Hybrid Technology LLC ranked ahead of all

2900-423: The scale models occurred alongside the development of the interior design. On 16 June 1997, the final design for the R230 was approved by the board and refined into production specifications into 1998. The design patents for the R230 were later filed in Germany on 9 September 1999 and on 1 March 2000 in the United States. In July 2001, after over five years of development, the new SL was unveiled and introduced at

2958-590: The third quarter of 2012 production ceased. Then- Vice President of the United States Joe Biden (later President ) attended the October 27, 2009, announcement that Fisker Automotive would take control of the Boxwood Road Plant (previously owned and operated by General Motors as Wilmington Assembly ) in Wilmington, Delaware , with production scheduled to begin in late 2012. This never happened and

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3016-489: The total loan amount approved, a total of US$ 192 million was drawn by Fisker Automotive for engineering work with primarily US suppliers to complete the Fisker Karma and Fisker's Project Nina, later revealed as the Fisker Atlantic . The Department of Energy froze Fisker's credit line in August 2012 after US$ 192 million had been drawn, and after differences between the DOE and Fisker on the milestones set as conditions for

3074-474: Was also revised, reducing the opening time from 20 seconds to 16 seconds. In 2007, Mercedes created a 75 limited-edition 50th Anniversary SL 550s. According to another article , Mercedes created 550 of these cars, all pewter in colour with burgundy leather, black ash wood trim, 18-inch double five-spoked wheels, and matching 50th Anniversary Edition luggage. The SL 55 AMG version was released in 2002. The new model has only slight visual differentiators,

3132-453: Was also used earlier on to design the W203 in 1995. The supercomputer in the "CAVE" was able to create full-size images of selected designs, using its five projectors and allowing designers to inspect every inch of every surface rendered. Parallel to the virtual process, the twelve scale models were scrutinized as well, with four standouts chosen to be created in full-size mockups. This evolution of

3190-423: Was designed by Fisker Automotive, but was made in the United States by Magna International of Canada . The EVer powertrain system, technically a series hybrid, delivered over 400 horsepower, and was inspired by Quantum Technologies, a cofounder of and early investor in Fisker. A version of the Karma was relaunched as the Karma Revero in 2016 by Karma Automotive . At the 2009 Detroit Auto Show , Fisker showed

3248-597: Was involved in the design of many premium cars such as the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage , Artega GT , and BMW Z8 . He also served as design director and sat on the board at Aston Martin . Before Fisker Automotive, Fisker and Koehler left Aston Martin in 2005 to establish Fisker Coachbuild, in an attempt to revive the art of coach-building automobiles to customer specifications. The Fisker Tramonto and Latigo used chassis and power trains from Mercedes-Benz SL and BMW 6 Series automobiles. Several were purchased, but

3306-461: Was named the new CEO, and Henrik Fisker became executive chairman, but six months later on August 14, La Sorda was replaced by Tony Posawatz , previously General Motors Vehicle Line Director for the Chevrolet Volt . The company suffered a setback on October 29, 2012, when Hurricane Sandy flooded and destroyed its entire European shipment of 338 Karmas at Port Newark, New Jersey . Sixteen of

3364-514: Was settled with an undisclosed out-of-court agreement. Henrik Fisker resigned in March 2013, after "disagreements with management", in particular "disagreements over business strategy". Shortly after the departure of Henrik Fisker from Fisker Automotive, on April 5, 2013, Fisker laid off 75% of its workforce, retaining only a core group of 40 workers as it continued to negotiate with prospective investors. On October 11, 2013, Hybrid Technology LLC agreed to buy Fisker's defaulted government loan at

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