Fisker. Let’s dive into the electric “Ocean”
The Fisker Ocean is a 5-seater mid-size all-electric SUV. Its production will begin in 2022 at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria. The new electric vehicle is created by Fisker, a California-based electric vehicle startup led by Danish designer and entrepreneur Henrik Fisker. You can pre-order the new Fisker Ocean from November 2021 via the branded mobile application, for which you’ll need to pay a refundable deposit of $250 during registration.
The production version of the future Fisker Ocean SUV was unveiled at the Las Vegas Auto Show on November 17, 2021. And exactly one year later, the production version of the Tesla Model Y is expected to be released. What interesting features can the new electric vehicle offer? The main design feature of the Ocean is California mode, which lowers all windows, except for the windshield, and retracts the panoramic rooftop, turning the SUV into a convertible. In addition, it catches your attention with its aggressive fashionable design (similar to the new Range Rover Evoque) and no less aggressive pricing that is beneficial to the buyer.
Who is Fisker?
Henrik Fisker’s path in the automotive industry is quite complex. Fisker Automotive was sold to China’s largest automotive parts company Wanxiang and renamed Karma Automotive. Fisker’s collaboration with Bob Lutz and Gilbert Villareal at VLF Automotive was not very successful. Fisker even managed to sue Tesla. The expensive The Fisker EMotion electric sedan is forgotten, as are the much-hyped graphene-based super capacitors. In 2016, a new startup Fisker Inc. was founded, but it was not until 2020 that the prototype of the Ocean electric SUV appeared. And only now we finally hope to see a production SUV. Canadian company Magna, one of the world’s largest automotive parts manufacturers, has provided its electric vehicle platform for the Fisker Ocean SUV and its manufacturing plant in Graz, Austria.
What do we know about the new Fisker Ocean?
The future all-electric Fisker Ocean is 4,775 mm, long, 1,995 mm wide and 1,629-1,631 mm high (depending on modification), with a wheelbase of 2,921 mm. It is definitely mid-sized and 5-seater. The platform with the battery integrated into the floor is aluminum, while the body is made of steel and composite materials. The vehicle features a McPherson type suspension at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear. The batteries will be supplied by the Chinese company CATL. The capacity of the batteries (there will be several varieties) has not yet been announced.
The new Ocean will retain the ability, declared at the prototype stage, to lower all windows, except for the windshield. The option is called California Mode and will ensure that you feel as if you’re inside a cabriolet. A solar panel is implanted into the panoramic transparent rooftop, which recharges the battery and will give you enough free electricity to drive 2,500 km per year in a good climate (for Israel, this is very important!)
The new electric Fisker Ocean SUV will cost from $37,499!
The vehicle will be offered in seven colors (including matte ones). The model is distinguished by application of recycled materials in its design, for example, some trim elements and rugs are made of such materials. Thus, even the old fishing nets, which were used in real oceans, have found application. Apparently, this is where the ‘oceanic’ name comes from. There is also an optional 16-speaker sound system with a power of 500 watts. By the way, onboard electronics has the built-in karaoke: the lyrics are displayed on the head-up display in front of the driver. The entry-level Fisker Ocean is equipped with a 17.1-inch front-mounted touchscreen, an entry-level autonomous driving system (apparently L2) with radars, ultrasonic sensors and cameras. Firmware updates will be over the air.
Versions and price
The new 2022/2023 Fisker Ocean will have three versions. The pilot series Ocean One consists of 5,000 cars in the Extreme version, but with more superior standard equipment and 22-inch wheels of a special design. Its estimated price starts from $68,999.
Entry-level Fisker Ocean Sport with a starting price of $37,499
This version is equipped with one electric motor with an output of 279 hp on the front axle and offers a driving range of about 440 km (WLTP cycle). Acceleration to 100 km/h occurs in 7.4 seconds. The SUV will be able to drag a trailer weighing 1,090 kg. The company chose not to use rear-wheel drive, popular in the USA, in order to make life easier for drivers in snow and ice conditions.
Fisker Ocean Ultra with a starting price of $49,999
This version is equipped two electric motors (one for each axle) with a total output of 547 hp. When all power is not needed, the rear electric motor is shut off. Acceleration to the first 100 km/h occurs in 4.2 seconds. The driving range is about 610 km. The permissible maximum towable mass of the trailer is 1,815 kg.
Top-end Fisker Ocean Extreme with a starting price of $68,999
This all-wheel drive version is equipped two electric motors with the peak output of 558 hp. This SUV accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. The driving range is about 630 km. The Extreme version offers a special off-road driving mode.
