Fisker Coachbuild

"For the manufacturer of the Fisker Karma, see Fisker Automotive"

Fisker Coachbuild is a car design firm based in Orange County, California. The company produces custom sportscars. Its current models are the Tramonto and Latigo CS. In addition to its own car design, Fisker designs and manufactures after market parts such as 3-piece aluminum alloy wheels, carbon fiber engine covers and custom leather interior trim packages for the current BMW 6-series and M6 as well as Mercedes-Benz SL models. Fisker Coachbuild also provides Design Services for companies in various industries. Fisker recently designed a high end men’s watch for Danish company Rosendahl. On the sports car front, Fisker Coachbuild designed the Artega GT for German based company Artega. It carries a badge which reads – “Designed by Fisker Coachbuild.”

History

The company was founded by partners, Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler in January 2005. The Danish born Henrik Fisker and the German native Bernhard Koehler worked at many automotive companies together before co-founding Fisker Coachbuild, BMW and Aston Martin standing as the most prominent, where they worked together to bring the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage to life.

Cars

Fisker Tramonto

The Fisker Tramonto is a hand-built sportscar limited to 150 pieces world wide. It uses the base architecture of the Mercedes-Benz SL, all the while retaining meaning the world class engineering and safety features. The Tramonto still utilizes the retractable hardtop which transforms the coupe to a roadster in 16 seconds. However, unlike the original, the Tramonto has a slimmer back end, a longer hood line and no visual bumpers. This new look is created using the finest materials in carbon fiber, aluminum, stainless steel and magnesium alloy. The interior of the Tramonto is hand trimmed and hand stitched using the finest quality Italian furniture leather. Each car is individually numbered from 1 to 150 on the front facia and engine compartment to ensure exclusivity. Each car is hand-built in Italy.

The Tramonto uses the hand-built AMG power plant which the customers have the choice of 8-cylinder and 12-cylinder engines. Fisker has teamed with the various tuning companies to provide various packages for their customers. The reduced weight from carbon fiber construction and increased engine output results in a 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds and top speed of convert|202|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on for the supercharged V8 of the SL55 AMG.

Fisker Latigo CS

The Fisker Latigo CS, the second design from Fisker Coachbuild is limited to 150 pieces world wide. It uses the base architecture of the BMW 6-series and M6. As in the Tramonto, all electronic and safety systems remain untouched. The car is built in California using the most advanced materials in carbon fiber, aluminum, stainless steel and magnesium alloy. The Latigo CS interior is hand trimmed and hand stitched using the finest quality Italian furniture leather and each car is individually numbered from 1 to 150 on the front facia and engine compartment to ensure exclusivity.

Fisker uses the BMW power plant for their Latigo CS. Fisker also teamed with RDsport to provide broader tuning choices for their customers. The reduced weight and increased engine output results in a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds and top speed of convert|205|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on.

A Fisker Latigo appears in the music video for Letoya Luckett's single "Torn". It can be seen at about the 2 minute mark.

Fisker Coachbuild manufactures cars to the exact specifications of a customer and do not carry cars in inventory. However, the company has actually delivered only 14 Tramontos and is about to deliver its first Latigo, as of September 2007. This is well short of the 150 unit target for each model. [http://www.leftlanenews.com/fisker-quantum-to-build-plug-in-hybrids.html]

The customers can order a Tramonto or Latigo CS directly through Fisker Coachbuild, LLC. The Coachbuild can begin from new or used base cars.

As there are orders already and production is limited wait time for a Tramonto is approximately 5 month and for a Latigo CS approximately 3 month.

Performance wheels, carbon fiber engine covers and custom leather trim packages can be ordered directly from Fisker Coachbuild as well or purchased at their exclusive dealerships.

Fisker performance wheels

Henrik Fisker also designed 20 inch 3-piece aluminum alloy wheels. The 5-spoke model known as the FT-5, is originally designed for the Tramonto and the 10-spoke model known as the FL-10 was designed for the Latigo CS. The company announced that these performance wheels are now offered for BMW and Mercedes-Benz models. Various finishes and colors are offered through Fisker with their wheel designs and are equipped with Michelin PS2 tires.

Joint ventures

Fisker Automotive is a joint venture between Quantum Technologies and Fisker Coachbuild. All models will feature cutting-edge plug-in hybrid technology penned as Quantum Drive, developed by Quantum Technologies exclusively for Fisker Automotive. This all-new plug–in Quantum Drive chassis layout will allow Fisker to design innovative luxury cars with uncompromised proportions.

The Fisker Karma made its debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in January 2008.

Executives

Henrik Fisker graduated from the Art Center College of Design in 1989 and began his career at BMW in Germany. He is famous for the Z07 Concept car and the Z8 roadster. The Z8 was driven by Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond movie The World Is Not Enough. In January 2001, Fisker became the president and CEO of BMW’s California-based subsidiary, Designworks/USA. From there he moved to Ford Motor Company as Creative Director for Ingeni, Ford’s London-based design and creativity center. He also sat on the Board of Directors for Aston Martin and was chief of Design. Director of Ford’s Global Advanced Design Studio in Irvine, California was also added to his global tasks. He now holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at Fisker Coachbuild, LLC.

Bernhard Koehler, Chief Operating Officer of Fisker Coachbuild was born in Munich, Germany. He holds degrees in 3D design and Business. Bernhard held positions at BMW for 22 years and at Designworks/USA, he served as the Director of Operations. In 2002, he became Director of New Business Development at Ingeni, Ford Motor Company’s design center in London. In January 2004, Koehler became the Director of Business and Operations for Ford’s Global Advanced Design Studio in Irvine, California.

Cristina Cheever, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Fisker Coachbuild, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and holds degrees in International Business and Finance. She began her career at Jaguar North America. From April 2001, she served at Aston Martin North America as the Marketing Communication Manager. There she led the launch of DB9 and met her future colleagues.

See also

*Fisker Automotive

External links

* [http://www.fiskercb.com/ Official web site]
* [http://www.fiskerautomotive.com Fisker Automotive ] :
* http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/842.html
* [http://www.qtww.com/products/ Quantum Technologies] .
* [http://www.guildfordcruise.com/ProfessionalModifiers/FiskerCoachbuild.aspx Brief introduction to Fisker Coachbuild]