KALEIDOSCOPIC CENTURY

THE ERA OF ELECTRICS AND HYBRIDS

2012-04-24T13:48:00.000-07:00

Electro Know-How Since 1969

The electric dream began back in 1969, with an electric BMW 1602- a vehicle that was used during the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Over the last 40 years, the BMW Group has continually examined means of putting that dream into wider practice. A variety of prototypes and test set-ups have all provided invaluable learnings.

One such trial was with the BMW E1, an experimental vehicle which, as early as 1991, displayed many of the features of modern electric vehicles and was used to explore the benefits and disadvantages of the electric drive in practice.

Electro-Mobility comes of age.

However, it was the introduction of lithium-ion battery technology in 2004 that made the electric car a viable mobility option: the new batteries, already proven in laptop and consumer battery applications, solved the age-old issues of cycle stability and load resistance. Assembled in series of 100, they were able to provide the currents that electric drive trains require (up to 400 Amps – about 25 times that of a domestic source). BMW Group seized the opportunity the new technology presented by initiating project i — a small, dynamic think tank whose task is to develop sustainable mobility solutions for the future needs of the world’s drivers. One such initiative was the MINI E, which has been gathering the feedback of customers involved in its field trials since mid-2009.

The Near Future

BMW will be giving more drivers a glimpse of things to come with a second and larger market test in the summer of 2011 involving the BMW ActiveE. This will generate even more feedback and provide an opportunity to test an early version of the BMW i3 powertrain.

Learnings from the MINI E and BMW ActiveE field trials will be incorporated into the launch of the BMW i3 and BMW i8 plug-in hybrid, under the new sub-brand BMW i, in autumn 2013.

This new dawn in sustainable mobility will centre around the high-tech BMW plant in Leipzig, where the BMW i3 will be built.

2012 FISKER ATLANTIC

• Atlantic design prototype confirms Fisker Automotive’s bold future direction

• Uncompromised styling reinforcing commitment to exquisite design

• Four-door sporting sedan with a luxurious and practical interior

• Driven by Fisker’s advanced EVer powertrain technology: electric car with extended-range freedom

• Rear-wheel drive with all-wheel drive option

Atlantic marks Fisker’s next step in its transition from start-up automaker to mainstream American manufacturer

New York, 3 April 2012 – Fisker Automotive is pleased to unveil its all-new model, the Atlantic sedan. This is the latest model in the company’s expanding line up of extended-range luxury electric cars.

Revealed as a design prototype at a special VIP preview event the night before the New York Auto Show press days begin, the Fisker Atlantic design prototype is a luxury four-door sporting sedan with a practical interior. It is aimed at young families who want to drive an impactful, high-end vehicle while making a positive statement about responsibilities - both in terms of their commitment to sustainability and the practicalities of everyday life.

The Atlantic uses the latest second generation EVer (Electric Vehicle with extended range) technology. It will offer all the benefits of electric drive while at the same time eliminating the “range anxiety” experienced with an all-electric powertrain.

Like the Karma sedan, the Fisker Atlantic is a plug-in series hybrid vehicle that allows drivers to switch manually or automatically between electric and gasoline driving modes and sustain the charge of its lithium ion batteries on the move.

Its four-cylinder gasoline engine, which acts as a generator and is not mechanically connected to the wheels, is tuned to offer maximum economy and high torque. This Atlantic EVer powertrain will offer highly competitive performance for a car in its class. The standard powertrain will be configured for rear-wheel drive and an all-wheel drive version will be offered as an option.

The Atlantic design prototype’s glass roof shows off a ridged ‘spider’ structure. This incredibly strong construction also allows the Atlantic to offer a remarkable amount of rear headroom for a car with its sleek, coupe-like stance. This high-tech approach fulfills and surpasses all current and future rollover safety and crash-test requirements worldwide. The Fisker Atlantic’s long wheelbase also affords extra legroom for rear passengers and more space in the trunk.

The unique, exciting styling of the Atlantic retains and progresses Fisker’s signature design DNA. Henrik Fisker and his design team set out to create the most beautiful and dramatic vehicle in its class. Much of the design was inspired by nature, for example, the dynamic side theme, with strong sculptural lines that optically cross the center and over the rear wheels of the car. This gives a sense of power - replicating the stance of a wild tiger ready to pounce.

Further important design details to note include an evolution of the Fisker Karma signature grille, with a wider sculptured line defining the power dome on the hood. Strong creases emerge from the inside of the headlamps and continue back over the hood to elongate the car. The sharp headlights themselves give an ‘eagle eye’ with a strength of strong character not seen on a production car before. These touches allow the Atlantic to create a greater rear-view mirror presence than any other vehicle in its class.

Additionally, the rear door handles have been elegantly integrated in the rear C-pillars, to continue the sense and look of a sporting coupe without losing the practicality of a four-door sedan. The extremely slim LED tail lamps use the latest technology allowing them to split into two parts to offer a wider aperture for the trunk opening. The rear end of the car is clean and aerodynamically shaped, with a sharp spoiler lip on the trunk that runs down over the side of the car to enhance aerodynamic performance.

Overall, the Fisker Atlantic’s dimensions are comparable to those of an Audi A5. It has been engineered inside and out to offer a dynamic yet compact feel on the road.

“We are exceptionally proud of the Atlantic design prototype, and believe we have created another groundbreaking car that looks and will drive like nothing else on the road in this class,” said Henrik Fisker, co-founder, Executive Chairman, and Design Director of Fisker Automotive.

“Fisker Automotive is transitioning from a start-up automaker to a fully-fledged mainstream car manufacturer and the Atlantic is a crucial milestone in that process,” said Tom LaSorda, CEO Fisker Automotive. “We have a long way to go, but in the near future Fisker intends to deliver this exceptional American-designed, engineered, and manufactured vehicle to showrooms worldwide.”

“I’m confident the Fisker Atlantic will inspire people and win the brand many new customers who may not have considered an EVer powered vehicle like this before.”

More details on the Fisker Atlantic, including statistics, prices and an on-sale date will be given closer to the launch of the production car.

ABOUT FISKER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

Fisker Automotive is an American car company, founded in 2007, committed to producing electric vehicles with extended range (EVer) that deliver uncompromised responsible luxury. The company is designing and developing the world’s first line of premium electric plug-in hybrids representing the company’s firm belief that environmentally conscious cars need not sacrifice passion, style, or performance. Fisker Automotive is a global company that is redefining luxury for the modern sports car buyer. For more information on the brand and the Fisker Karma Sedan, please go to http://fiskerautomotive.com.

WHEELS

2012-04-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

GLOSSARY

	Air Dam--A front spoiler intended to divert air from traveling underneath the car. Air dams can improve aerodynamics, reduce lift, and increase the airflow through the front radiator. Antique--Technically, this refers to a vehicle built in 1914 or earlier. A-Pillar--The support on either side of a vehicle's windshield. Berline--A sedan Berlinetta--Term invented by Enzo Ferrari to designate his coupe designs. Applied more broadly to any make of sports coupes. Blower--Supercharger. Bonnet--British term for hood. Boot--British term for trunk lid. Boxer--Also known as a flat engine. A motor with opposed cylinder banks; the name boxer derives from the idea of the pistons thrusting or boxing towards the opposing bank. Advantages to the boxer design include low center of gravity, improved cooling, and low height that makes the engine valuable for cars with a low profile. B-Pillar--Pillar running behind the front window and the rear window, should the vehicle have one. Business Coupe--Two door coupe without a rumble seat. Cabriolet--A convertible with windows. Cammer--An extremely high performance engine built by Ford at its Dearborn engine plant in early 1964, the SOHC 427 produced in the area of 700 horsepower in race tune. This hemi-head engine was originally designed for NASCAR, but was deemed too exotic to be sanctioned. While never appearing in a production vehicle, a number of them found their way onto the drag strips. Don Prudhomme was the first drag racer to break the 7 sec barrier in the quarter mile with this motor. Seven A/FX Mustangs were also built with the cammer engine. Channeled--A vehicle that has had the body lowered relative to the frame. Classic--There are two technical definitions for this, in addition to the broader sense of any vehicle with collector interest. A classic can refer to any car that is 25 years old or older. It can also refer to a range of vehicles built mostly from 1925 to 1948. The non-technical use of the term would acknowledge that an Aston Martin or Dodge Viper is a classic from the moment it is rolled out of the factory. Concours--A car show of the very finest vehicles, or a vehicle that is up to concours standards. Typically, concours shows and levels of restoration center on such outstanding marques as Bugatti, Talbot-Lago, Duesenberg, Delahaye, Isotta Fraschini, etc. Coupe--Closed car with two doors, and technically, less than 33 cubic feet of rear interior volume. Coupelet--Model T two seater cabriolet. Cycle Fenders--Fenders that closely follow the curvature of the wheel, similar to motorcycle fenders. It can apply to either front or rear fenders, but is more common in the front. One example of front cycle fenders is the Allard J2X Destroked--An engine with a shorter throw crankshaft, usually done to increase RPM capacity or to fulfill racing restrictions on engine size. Deuce--32 Ford Dickey--Rumble seat Digs--Drag races DOHC--Double Overhead Camshaft. Two camshafts for each cylinder bank. Drophead--British for convertible. Dual Cowl--A type of touring car or phaeton with the cab divided into two parts, front and back, and separated by a windshield on a folding cowl. EuroAmerican Hybrids--A class of cars featuring European design and American power. While American engines of the kind described typically produce less power per displacement than European motors, their sheer size relative to most European motors, as well as their relatively unstressed design, reliablity, and ease & economy of repair makes them obvious candidates for use in European performance cars. While the most famous hybrid is the AC Cobra, the list includes such memorable automobiles as the Iso Grifo, Detomaso Pantera and Mangusta, Bizzarrini, Monteverdi, GT40, Facel Vega, and many others. Flathead--Introduced in the 1932, this was the first truly affordable V-8, and the beginning of Ford's long association with performance. The flathead utilized a valve in block design, and the heads were greatly simplified compared to modern overhead valve heads. Flathead engines have a distinctive look, as can be seen in this *1932 Deuce Roadster* Fordor--Four door Ford. Frenched--Recessed head or tail lights that are smoothed into the body. Goat-Pontiac GTO GTO--Gran Turismo Omologato, which is Italian for Grand Touring Homologated. The name was originally applied to the famed 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, and noted that enough of the vehicles had been built for FIA-sanctioned GT racing. The term was later used by Pontiac for the vehicle that launched the American muscle car phenomenon. Gullwing Doors--Doors hinged at their top edges rather than the front or rear. The first car to use gullwing doors was the Mercedes 300SL Coupe. Hardtop--Vehicle with no side B-pillar, meant to have the look of a convertible. Also, a removable top. Hemi--Engine with hemispherical combustion chambers. Especially, the high performance Chrysler V-8 engines with hemi heads, which appeared in several incarnations from 1951 to 1971. The Chrysler 426 Hemi is one of the most famed production engines in American automotive history. To this day, most Top Fuel and Funny Car engines are based on the brilliant design of the 426 Hemi. Hood--American term for front lid of vehicle, usually covering the engine. Hood--British term for convertible top. Huffer--Supercharger Intercooler--A heat exchanger that cools the air or intake charge in a forced induction system. Knockoffs--Wheels that are held in place with one large nut. Lake Pipes--Side exhaust pipes that run under the rocker panels. Landau--A limousine with an open front for the driver. Landaulet--A landau with a fold down top for the rear passengers. Lead Sled--A lowered and highly customized vehicle from the late 40s and early 50s. Perhaps the most sought after candidate for a lead sled is the 1949-1951 Mercury. Limousine--A chauffered sedan, usually with an extended wheelbase, a separation between drivers and passengers, and numerous conveniences for the passengers. Marque--Make or manufacturer of automobile. Monocle Windscreen--A circular section windscreen, carried on the steering column, that offers protection only to the driver. Monocoque--A frameless body structure that derives its strength from a stressed, sophisticated body design, rather than relying upon a frame. Mopar--Chrysler vehicles, including Dodge, Plymouth, Imperial and Desoto. Mouse--Small block Chevrolet motor. The original small block Chevy motor has appeared in more modified vehicles than any other motor in automotive history. Muscle Car--This generally refers to American mid-size cars with large engines built mostly from 1964 to 1972. The first true American muscle car was the 1964 Pontiac GTO, with a 325 hp 389 4 bbl engine, and an optional 389 tri-power producing 348 hp. Although every American car manufacturer, including AMC with its venerable AMX 390, produced muscle cars during this time period, probably the last true big-block muscle cars of this genre were also Pontiacs: the extremely fast SD 455 Trans Am was produced in 1973 and 1974 in limited numbers. Nerf Bar--Tubular bumper NOS--New Old Stock. Parts built by the original manufacturer that have never been used. Oversquare--An engine with a bore longer than its stroke. Most postwar motors have an oversquare design. Oversquare engines can rev higher, but at the expense of low-end torque. An oversquare engine will typically produce more horsepower and less torque than an undersquare one. Pebble Beach--One of the world's premiere car shows. Phaeton--A four door open-touring car. Pony Car--A category of American cars that took its name from the Ford Mustang, one of the most successful cars in automotive history. Pony cars are small to mid sized cars emphasizing sportiness and frequently performance. Some of the cars that fall into this classification include: Ford Mustang, the early Mercury Cougars, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Plymouth Barracuda, Dodge Challenger, and AMC's AMX. Although pony cars were not necessarily high performance, the ones equipped with the more powerful V-8s are generally classified as muscle cars, and equaled or exceeded the performance of the mid-sized muscle cars. Some of the most famous high performance pony cars include the Yenko Camaros, the Mustang 428 Super Cobra Jets, and the Hemi Cudas ProStreet--Vehicles that are built to be streetable, but with the look and much of the performance of all out drag cars in their displacement class. One of the most popular aspects of hotrod culture, particularly in North America. Rat--Big block Chevrolet motor. An extremely popular motor among ProStreeters in particular. Rumble Seat--Seat located in trunk area. The trunk lid is hinged from the rear, and folds up to form the seat back. Sidemount--Spare tire mounted in the front fender. Six-Pack--Same as tri-power, normally used to refer to the venerable Mopar 440 engine with three carburetors. Sleeper--A fast car that gives no indication of its true potential. SOHC--Single Overhead Camshaft. One camshaft for each cylinder bank. Spyder--Two seater roadster. Street Rod--A highly modified vehicle built prior to 1948. Stroked--An engine with an increased stroke from a crankshaft with a larger throw. Stroked engines will typically not rev as high or as fast, but usually more than make up for it in increased torque. Suburban--Seven passenger limousine. Suicide Doors--Doors that are hinged at the rear. Supercharger--A means of forced induction, i.e., using compressed air to get a higher density of oxygen in the air-fuel mixture. Supercharging utilizes power from the crankshaft to compress air. The two main types of superchargers are the Roots blowers that mount atop the engine, and are particularly popular in ProStreet cars; and Paxton-type superchargers that mount to the side of the engine, and are sometimes found in production cars. Superleggera--Italian for super light. Targa--A removable roof body style with a fixed roll bar style body design that runs from side to side behind the front seats. T-Bucket--A modified Model T that is basically a chassis, a drivetrain, and a (usually) fiberglass bucket with room for two passengers. Most T-Buckets today are kit cars. Touring Car--Four door open car without windows. Tri-Power--Engine with three 2 barrel carburetors. Tubbed--A vehicle that has been modified to allow enormous rear tires that don't protrude past the wheel well. Tudor--Two door Ford sedan. Turbocharger--Device that compresses air for forced induction, much like a supercharger, but instead of relaying on power from the crankshaft, it runs off the pressure of exhaust gases. While turbochargers are far more efficient than superchargers in that they have less parasitic drain, their operation and mechanics is less straight-forward than with supercharging. Turbocharging was very popular in the 80s, but is less common today, even in ultra-expensive exoticars. The extremely fast Porsche 911 Turbo is one exception. One problem of turbocharging is that it requires a substantial volume of exhaust gases to generate boost. This either has to come from a larger motor, such as a V-8, or a smaller motor operating at high RPMs. The need for high RPMs leads to turbo lag, and a generally unsatisfactory solution for street driving. While turbocharging is a very impressive technology that will likely regain its popularity at some point, a real awareness of its strengths and weaknesses are in order. While it far surpasses most other methods in obtaining optimal horsepower from a motor, it won't give a 4 cylinder engine the torque characteristics of an 8 cylinder. Undersquare--An engine with the stroke longer than the bore, a design conducive to low-end torque, but usually not to horsepower. Undersquare motors were much more common in the prewar period than they are today. Vintage--Vehicles built from 1915 to 1942 Vis a Vis--Seating arrangement where passengers face one another. Wedge--Broadly, a common term for most head designs that don't use hemispherical combustion chamber. More narrowly, it refers to Chrysler motors, like the 413 Max Wedge, that used a more conventional wedge-shaped combustion chamber. Wing--British for fender. Woody--Vehicle that uses wood in its body panels.