Photo: VLF Automotive
Thanks to an odd turn of events, the lawsuit that Henrik Fisker hopes will help him net $100 million from Aston Martin's pockets may have just become even more interesting.
We say this because Fisker kept his word and managed to bring the VLF Force 1 at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. Three details make this more interesting than expected:
First of all, you may have noticed that the car's name starts with VLF, which is actually the company that was built out of VL Automotive, started by former GM executive Bob Lutz and Gilbert Villarreal, from Boeing. That said, we probably shouldn't have to mention where the V, L, and F come from, do we?
Second of all, we were right when we assumed that the sports car would probably be based on the Dodge Viper. It is, and then some. Unlike the Viper, the Force 1 has a carbon fiber body, while the 8.4-liter V10 under that “long and full of intakes hood” has been massaged to deliver 745 hp and 638 lb-ft (928 Nm) of torque without the aid of forced induction.
Third of all, as you can probably see for yourselves, the car looks nothing like an Aston Martin, bar the long hood and somewhat short rear overhang, which follow the classic sports coupe formula anyway.
“Force 1 is another dramatic example of what we are going to do at VLF Automotive by combining proven world-class platforms and components with elegant designs to produce stunning bespoke luxury sports vehicles,” said Bob Lutz, VLF Automotive Chairman.
Thanks to the more than ample power and a weight of 3,395 pounds (1538 kg), the Force 1 can allegedly sprint from 0 to 60 mph (0-97 km/h) in three seconds flat, and then achieve a top speed of 218 mph (350 km/h). VLF Automotive hasn't stated if these numbers were tested or if they are predicted, but judging by the 10.97 seconds at 136,88 mph quarter mile time stated in the press release, we think they were actually tested.
Apparently, the dramatic-looking sports car will have a $268,500 starting price and only 50 units will be ever built, in either six-speed manual or automatic guise, depending on clientele preference. Those looking for their next American-made, Bond-villain-looking car, may have found it. Now, let's see how that lawsuit against Aston Martin plays out...
P.S.: Bonus points to whoever can tell us why there are two bottles of champagne between the seats and why did someone at VLF Automotive (badly) cropped a Samsung smartphone on the center console.
UPDATE: There is no way of putting this lightly, so here it goes. Seeing the VLF Force 1 V10 in the flesh has revealed a major flaw in its design, one that's entirely incompatible with its $268,500 starting price from some perspectives. The letters glued in front of the doors and on the trunk look like they came from a Chinese knock-off. Maybe the production model will switch to something more appealing and less afterthought-looking, especially that Henrik is not exactly an average designer. Other than that, the car looks absolutely spectacular, we can't wait to see it on the road.
First of all, you may have noticed that the car's name starts with VLF, which is actually the company that was built out of VL Automotive, started by former GM executive Bob Lutz and Gilbert Villarreal, from Boeing. That said, we probably shouldn't have to mention where the V, L, and F come from, do we?
Second of all, we were right when we assumed that the sports car would probably be based on the Dodge Viper. It is, and then some. Unlike the Viper, the Force 1 has a carbon fiber body, while the 8.4-liter V10 under that “long and full of intakes hood” has been massaged to deliver 745 hp and 638 lb-ft (928 Nm) of torque without the aid of forced induction.
Third of all, as you can probably see for yourselves, the car looks nothing like an Aston Martin, bar the long hood and somewhat short rear overhang, which follow the classic sports coupe formula anyway.
“Force 1 is another dramatic example of what we are going to do at VLF Automotive by combining proven world-class platforms and components with elegant designs to produce stunning bespoke luxury sports vehicles,” said Bob Lutz, VLF Automotive Chairman.
Thanks to the more than ample power and a weight of 3,395 pounds (1538 kg), the Force 1 can allegedly sprint from 0 to 60 mph (0-97 km/h) in three seconds flat, and then achieve a top speed of 218 mph (350 km/h). VLF Automotive hasn't stated if these numbers were tested or if they are predicted, but judging by the 10.97 seconds at 136,88 mph quarter mile time stated in the press release, we think they were actually tested.
Apparently, the dramatic-looking sports car will have a $268,500 starting price and only 50 units will be ever built, in either six-speed manual or automatic guise, depending on clientele preference. Those looking for their next American-made, Bond-villain-looking car, may have found it. Now, let's see how that lawsuit against Aston Martin plays out...
P.S.: Bonus points to whoever can tell us why there are two bottles of champagne between the seats and why did someone at VLF Automotive (badly) cropped a Samsung smartphone on the center console.
UPDATE: There is no way of putting this lightly, so here it goes. Seeing the VLF Force 1 V10 in the flesh has revealed a major flaw in its design, one that's entirely incompatible with its $268,500 starting price from some perspectives. The letters glued in front of the doors and on the trunk look like they came from a Chinese knock-off. Maybe the production model will switch to something more appealing and less afterthought-looking, especially that Henrik is not exactly an average designer. Other than that, the car looks absolutely spectacular, we can't wait to see it on the road.
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