Την προηγούμενη εβδομάδα ο Henrik Fisker έγινε ο νέος επικεφαλής σχεδιασμού και στρατηγικής προϊόντων της VLF Automotive. Η VLF Automotive, πρώην γνωστή ως VL Automotive, ιδρύθηκε το 2012 από τον Gilbert Villarreal και τον πρώην πρόεδρο της GM, Bob Lutz και βγάζει στην αγορά το Destino, ένα τροποποιημένο Fisker Karma με τον V8 κινητήρα της Corvette ZR1.
Στην έκθεση του Detroit, η VLF Automotive παρουσιάζει μια ανανεωμένη έκδοση του Destino με πιο εκλεπτυσμένο σχεδιασμό, με τον V8 6,2-λίτρων κινητήρα να αποδίδει 638 άλογα και να επιταχύνει από τα 0-96 χλμ/ώρα σε 3,9 δευτερόλεπτα, έχοντας τελική ταχύτητα μεγαλύτερη των 320 χλμ/ώρα.
Το Destino έχει μήκος 4.988 χλστ., πλάτος 1.986 χλστ., και ύψος 1.330 χλστ., ενώ παρά την χρήση αλουμινίου στο σώμα και της carbon οροφής, το τετράπορτο και τετραθέσιο GT ζυγίζει 1.950 κιλά. Πατάει σε ζάντες 22 ιντσών με ελαστικά 265/30 εμπρός και 305/30 πίσω.
Το Destino θα κοστίζει 229.000 δολάρια και η παραγωγή του θα ξεκινήσει στο Auburn Hills του Michigan αργότερα μέσα στο έτος. Η VLF Automotive θα κατασκευάσει και το supercar “Force 1” του Fisker, το οποίο θα παρουσιαστεί και αυτό στην έκθεση του Detroit, και ήδη αποτελεί το μήλο της έριδος ανάμεσα στον Fisker και στην Aston Martin, με τον πρώτο να μηνύει την βρετανική εταιρία και να της ζητά 100 εκατ. δολάρια.
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VLF AUTOMOTIVE IS BORN
A New American Luxury Sports Car Company Is Born
Auburn Hills, MI January 8, 2016 – VLF Automotive, a new, US-based luxury sports car company, officially launches today through a partnership between legendary automotive designer Henrik Fisker, former General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz and entrepreneur and manufacturer Gilbert Villarreal. Fisker is a VLF shareholder and third member of the executive management team alongside Lutz and Villarreal.
“It’s a circle,” Lutz explained. “When Gilbert and I formed VL Automotive in 2012, we wanted to take Henrik’s beautifully proportioned design, replace the hybrid gas-electric power train with a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 drivetrain, and create a bespoke four-door luxury car with outstanding performance. With Henrik on board, we are ready to present the Destino with a refined design, and a new model named Force 1 that Henrik has developed with an acclaimed race car driver, at the 2016 North American International Auto Show.”
VLF Automotive boasts a state-of-the-art development and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills and a design and technology center in Los Angeles. With Lutz as chairman, Villarreal as CEO and Fisker as head of design and product strategy, VLF team represents more than 100 years experience at the top-tier of the the automotive industry and have been instrumental in such iconic cars as Aston Martins, BMWs, Vipers and Corvettes.
“I’m honored to become a partner in this automotive ‘Dream Team’,” said Fisker. “With the management and financial skills of Bob Lutz, the manufacturing expertise of Gilbert Villarreal and my design innovation, we’re poised to launch an extraordinary company, as we seek to change the future of the American auto industry.”
The Destino embodies everything that VLF Automotive stands for: American, tailor made, highquality, performance and ingenuity. Designed by Henrik Fisker, and engineered and built by VLF’s experienced automotive team in Auburn Hills, MI, the Destino sets out to be the leading high-performance 4-door GT in the world. Powered by a reliable Corvette LS9 V8 engine, the Destino, with its relatively low weight, has tremendous performance characteristics. The Destino V8 retail price starts at $229,000.
VLF Automotive will be adding additional jobs at its dedicated manufacturing facility in Auburn hills, when production of the Destino and Force 1 ramps up throughout 2016. VLF is expected to have 7 dedicated dealers with full-service capability throughout North America and several international dealers appointed in 2016.
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