New Model News

New Fisker Ocean is an eco-conscious SUV looking to make a splash in the EV market

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Nov 4, 2019, 1:37 pm

It's best to never completely write off Henrik Fisker. The automotive design visionary has had his hand in some of the most beautiful vehicles ever produced - the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and Fisker Karma, just to name a few.

The Fisker Karma was the world's first premium plug-in hybrid (PHEV) but it failed to gain traction with its biggest obstacles being the high price tag, lack of charging infrastructure, and alleged corporate mismanagement.

Enter the next chapter of Fisker's life: the Fisker Ocean. Fisker Inc. is calling it one of the most ecologically conscious vehicles ever produced. Fisker, the company, is touting the vehicle's use of recycled materials, such as fishing nets, in the SUV's cabin, which also sports vegan components made of 100 percent polycarbonate polyurethane, recycled t-shirts . A Dinamica "eco-suede" is made of recycled polyester and other consumer plastics, features inside the cabin as well as rubber recovered from tire recycling efforts.

2021 Fisker Ocean 2022 Fisker Ocean Fisker has released this image of the front end of the new Fisker Ocean SUV.Photo courtesy of Fisker Inc.

The company will also offer a large head up display for drivers.

Fisker is saying that the SUV will have a 275-300-mile range that can be enhanced with an available range extender. That range comes from a 80 kWh battery pack that is paired with a solar roof in its top trim level, a feature that the company claims could provide 1,000 additional miles of charge over the course of a year.

Fisker Ocean solar roof Fisker Inc. CEO Henrik Fisker has teased this image of the SUV's solar roof on Twitter.Photo courtesy of Henrik Fisker, Twitter

The SUV will be available in four-wheel drive with one front and one rear electric motor.

There will be a "small, center high-mounted radar" that resides behind glass and a parametric pattern takes the place of a the traditional grille, allowing on-demand airflow.

Fisker Ocean drive mode shifter This rendering from Henrik Fisker's Twitter timeline shows what appears to be a drive mode selector.Photo courtesy of Henrik Fisker, Twitter

The touch of a button will allow for an open-air experience. Fisker will offer available 22-inch wheels.

It is slated to have a starting price below $40,000, putting it in direct competition with the Tesla Model Y and Kia Niro EV. It is expected that Fisker will officially launch the car in the second half of 2021.

Fisker Ocean California Mode SUV roof Fisker has teased a "California Mode" in the Ocean, which would include an open roof.Photo courtesy of Henrik Fisker, Twitter

"Our team set out on a mission to create an affordable EV that's more exciting and emotion-stirring than what the market has been offering," said Henrik Fisker. "We're now excited to be introducing a vehicle that truly reinvents the SUV. At an affordable price point, starting below $40,000, we're delivering a desirable, luxuriously rugged and green vehicle – complete with unique new experiences and technologies – that's accessible to people across the USA and the world."

Fisker Ocean mobile app connectivity Fisker will sell the SUV direct to consumers via a mobile presence.Photo courtesy of Henrik Fisker, Twitter

Fisker's app and pricing information will be available November 27. Customers can begin putting down deposits on the vehicle then, though the model will not be officially unveiled until January 4.

No dealerships are in the works. Fisker intends to sell its vehicle via a direct-to-consumer e-mobility platform. The company will offer a nationwide concierge service model to address repairs and customer service concerns.

Fisker intends to produce the vehicle in the U.S.

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Buying guide

How to buy a modified car: Three tips

This is a clean modified truck, but they don't all end up this way.

Bring a Trailer

Modified cars are a mixed bag. Sometimes, they're incredibly well built and better than the original, but too many times they're only partially finished or end up being rushed as their owners get late-project anxiety. Whatever the case, buying a modified car can be a stressful process if you haven't done your homework ahead of time. The good news is that you can get a good deal on a reasonably well sorted project or modified car, but you'll need to be careful. Looking at used Lexus LXs earlier today, it became clear that there are as many modified vehicles for sale as there are clean examples.

This LX got me thinking about the breakdown between buying a rig and building one. The modifications made by this Lexus' seller are almost exactly what I would do if I were building a light overlanding rig. What could go wrong? I'm still on the fence about the Lexus, but the three topics below will help you make the right decision on buying a modified car.

2004 Lexus LX 470 Even if the mods are well done, you'll want to have the vehicle inspected before you buy.Bring a Trailer

Understand your personal taste

I mentioned the LX470 and how the owner's updates were pretty close to what I'd do with the truck. That's an exception to the rule, because 90 percent of the time I walking away from a sales listing because of modifications, rather than the other way around. If you're hoping to find a tastefully modified car that matches your exact tastes, you could be waiting a while. If you're hoping to sell a modified car, the same is true in reverse. Finding a buyer for your extremely personalized project car may not be the easiest thing you've ever done.

2004 Lexus LX 470 It's a good idea to seek out vehicles in solid shape, regardless of mods.Bring a Trailer

Be aware of condition and quality

This Lexus looks to be well maintained and in good shape. It also doesn't hurt that the LX is one of the most reliable vehicles built by one of the world's most quality-conscious automakers. Even so, it's hard to know what you're getting with this, or any other, modified vehicle. There's a little rust in this image, but the lift kit, wheels, and bumper mods all look good. However, even if the truck looked brand-new, you'd want to get a pre-purchase inspection. An independent mechanic can tell you if there are potential issues that are unrelated to mods, and you'll want to be sure that any modifications are installed properly.

2004 Lexus LX 470 Some mods are more useful than others.Bring a Trailer

Keep an eye on the price

Most people are reasonable when it comes to selling their modified cars, but there are hundreds of "I know what I got" memes on the internet for a reason. Some sellers want to recover every penny of the money they spent customizing their cars. They're convinced that the mods drastically increased the car's value and can't understand why the customized car isn't as attractive to you as it is to them. Tread lightly and be careful not to insult the owner, but it's your job to work toward a reasonable, fair price.

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New AWD performance car

The Subaru WRX is all-new for 2022

The new WRX's body cladding is already stirring up controversy.

Subaru

The Subaru WRX is a rally-bred performance car that offers a unique mix of rowdy all-wheel drive fun, a value price, and youthful styling. The car is long overdue for an update, though, and Subaru is doing just that for the 2022 model year. The fifth-generation WRX is all-new, and features a more powerful engine, along with several go-fast upgrades.

2022 Subaru WRX Both a manual and an automatic transmission will be offered.Subaru

A new GT trim joins the WRX lineup for 2022. It features a new automatic transmission, adaptive dampers, and drive mode selections. With various customization options available to the driver, the system offers up to 430 different settings combinations. The GT's interior adds Recaro seats wrapped in Ultrasuede with red stitching. The GT also gets exclusive 18-inch wheels.

Though still a Boxer engine, the 2022 WRX's powerplant is new and more powerful than before. It delivers 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, as well as a broader torque curve. Subaru says that the larger engine plus an electronically controlled turbo wastegate and air bypass valves improve responsiveness and acceleration.

2022 Subaru WRX A larger 11.6-inch infotainment screen is on board. Subaru

All WRX models come with Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel drive system and active torque vectoring, which can shift power to individual wheels that need the most traction. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but a new Subaru Performance Transmission is available, which features faster shifts and other features to improve performance.

The 2022 WRX also gets a tech upgrade that brings a large 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen. It runs Subaru Starlink infotainment, handles HVAC and vehicle controls, and offers split-screen functionality for two apps to run simultaneously. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is Bluetooth, SiriusXM radio, and HD radio. An upgraded version of the system also offers navigation with three years of free map updates.

2022 Subaru WRX Subaru will offer a new GT trim with upgraded suspension and finishes.Subaru

As it has done with many of its other vehicles, Subaru is equipping every WRX with its EyeSight suite of advanced driver aids. The packge includes lane departure prevention, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and more. A new available automatic emergency steering system works with the car's pre-collision braking feature to help avoid collisions at speeds under 50 mph.

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