The new hybrid premium sedan will be Fisker Automotive's first production vehicle. Deliveries will start in the 4th quarter of 2009 with a starting price of $80,000 and an estimated annual production volume of 15,000 units.

Certification, testing and drive train development will be conducted by joint venture partner Quantum Technologies.

The car will have a newly designed chassis that according to Henrik Fisker, will allow to create a "proportioned four-door premium sports sedan."

“The sleek design accentuating the long hood is a direct result of our breakthrough chassis which carries the battery pack at the center of the vehicle between the two axles,” explains Henrik Fisker, CEO of Fisker Automotive, Inc.

“This positioning provides optimal vehicle driving dynamics, maximum safety, proportionate design as well as industry standard performance figures within this car class.”

Performance details for the first car are a range of 50 miles (80 kilometers) on a pure electric charge.

Additionally, by further utilizing a gasoline or diesel engine, the total range can be extended to more than 620 miles (1000 kilometers).

The projected average fuel consumption is 100 miles per gallon.

Further company developments include the appointment of ex-BMW engineer Thomas Fritz as Director of Engineering, to ensure the continuation in the development of new vehicles.

Thomas Fritz has worked for companies such as BMW, Ford & Magna, and he has been involved in such projects as the current Range Rover, Rolls Royce, BMW Z8 and various Lincoln concept programs.

For more information visit www.fiskerautomotive.com.

(Source: Fisker Automotive)