Fisker Rules Out High-Tech Components as Cause of Karma Flambé
Image: YouTube
A parking lot fire that consumed the front corner of a Fisker Karma in Woodside, California on August 10 was not caused by the six-figure plug-in hybrid’s advanced powertrain, according to the automaker.
In a statement released today, Fisker says, “Evidence revealed thus far supports the fact that the ignition source was not the Lithium-ion battery pack, new technology components or unique exhaust routing.” Fisker went on to state that, “The area of origin for the fire was determined to be outside the engine compartment.”
To be clear, that does not mean that the Karma isn’t to blame, just that the equipment under the hood has been ruled out as the source of the fire. Officials at Fisker believe debris — likely from a felled leaves — could be involved.
However, the exact cause still remains a question, and Fisker is looking for an answer, tasking the independent Pacific Rim Investigative Group with the preliminary examination and focusing on what caused the blaze that appears to have charred the area ahead of the passenger compartment, but not intruding inside.
The fire comes months after another Karma was engulfed in flames inside a garage in Sugar Land, Texas. Additionally, two Karma recalls were issued in the last 9 months, one to fix a potential battery defect and another to replace a poorly positioned coolant clamp. The two recalls were unrelated and no injuries were sustained during either fire.
Lambo Sesto & Urus head to Monterey Car Week
Lamborghini has announced that it will be showcasing both its new Sesto Elemento (above) and Urus SUV concepts at the 2012 Monterey Classic Car week in California.
The Sesto Elemento first made an appearance back in 2010 at the Paris Motor Show with Lamborghini having confirmed that it will be producing 20 units of the luxury vehicle accompanied by a price tag of $ 2.2 million.
The vehicle borrows its engine from the LP 570-4 and will retain most of its body work from the concept.
The Urus concept on the other hand was first seen at this year’s Beijing Motor Show with a production version that is only likely to be officially launched in 2017. Only 3,000 units per year are likely to be produced should Lamborghini get the green light from its management team. While no price has been confirmed for this vehicle, various sources are suggesting an amount of about 180, 000 Euros, before tax.
Energy Secretary Chu Changes His Mind On Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Cars
Much of the jury is still out on the viability of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, but they now have the blessing of the United States government.
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu had previously opined that light-duty fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) were in need of a few miracles to make them viable in the market place.
FPV not interested in tuning small cars
Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) is not interested in applying its performance treatment to small cars, according to the company’s boss.
Bryan Mears, FPV’s Managing Director, believes that large sedan and ute performance cars are still a viable product portfolio for FPV going into the future.
“Do we do small cars, are we going to do small cars? That is not really something that appeals to us all that much” Mears said at a press conference in Melbourne today.
FPV has previously ventured into making a performance version of the previous-generation Ford Territory SUV but stopped producing the F6X in 2009. Since then the company has solely focused on producing Falcon sedan and ute based performance cars.
“If you look at what’s available in the market place in the small car imports, I mean everyone has got one. Look at all the hothatch type vehicles. There are a huge number of those vehicles coming into Australia. For us to go into that space, it’s going to be expensive, we don’t see a vehicle that lends itself well to what FPV does to its vehicles. A number of those vehicles in that space are (already) real crackers.”
When asked about the prospect for an FPV tuned Focus, Mears emphasised that he doesn’t think the Focus will work well with the FPV brand.
Video: Details about the Jaguar F-TYPE performance
Excited about the new Jaguar F-TYPE that will make its production debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show tomorrow? Can’t wait to learn more about the roadster? Lucky for you Jag has just dropped a video featuring Ian Hoban from Jaguar Engineering talking about the performance, responsiveness and power of the new F-TYPE.
Check out more news on the Jaguar F-Type.
The video also features some great action footage and sound so turn up your speakers.
The new Jaguar F-TYPE will debut as a convertible and will be followed by a coupe later down the line. The engine lineup will consist of a 335-hp and a 374-hp version of the brand’s new 3.0 liter supercharged V6. The third engine will be a new version of the 5.0 liter supercharged V8.
Check out the video after the jump.
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Audi Buys Their Dream Car: 1939 Auto Union Type D
Yesterday our dream car was a 2012 Audi R8. What if you are Audi? It turns out Audi’s dream car was a famous 1939 Auto Union twin-supercharger Type D that it was finally able to buy a few weeks ago.
The price? Undisclosed.
The car in question was expected to fetch over $ 10 million when it was last up for auction a few years ago. It was eventually sold to an unnamed private collector who presumably just sold it to Audi.
Audi now owns three of the five remaining Auto Union race cars that have survived out of the 20 or so originally built in the 1930s. “This is one of the most emotional moments in our heritage work for Audi AG – we have come full circle,” says Thomas Frank, Head of Audi Tradition. “20 years ago we would never have dreamed that such a thing would be possible!”
The Audi R8 can rightly claim to be a direct descendent of the famous Auto Union race cars. The Auto Unions were highly advanced rear engine Grand Prix cars that were designed by Professor Ferdinand Porsche. And, it was his grandson, Ferdinand Piëch, who helped inspire the Quattro system that is a key part of the R8’s success.
Rolls Royce showcases newly-designed badges
Rolls-Royce celebrated the success of the Games at the Closing Ceremony last night when three Rolls-Royce motor cars sported newly-designed badges for the first time in the company’s 108‑year history. The new badges, designed by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Design Team, replaced the traditional double R-R for the first time since the company started in 1904.
The three spectacular Phantom Series II Drophead Coupés, each appropriately finished in glorious English White, silently conveyed three coveted British artistes during the event, titled ‘A Symphony of British Music’. The artistes were hidden from view as the cars crossed the auditorium with majestic grace, before being revealed as each convertible roof gracefully descended. The cars were driven by specially-trained Rolls-Royce employees.
The new grille badge features the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy with patriotic Union Flag replacing the traditional flowing gown of the Graceful Little Goddess. The steering wheel centre includes a traditional laurel wreath and torch, and the self-righting wheel centres feature the words ‘London 2012’ surrounded by the Olympic motto, ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ (‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’). The badges are complemented by unique tread plates identifying each car as ‘One of Three’, creating perhaps the most collectable (and unobtainable) Rolls-Royce Bespoke items ever produced.
“I am delighted that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was invited to take part in celebrating the success of the Games and it is appropriate that we should recognise this occasion with a fitting tribute,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive. “These unique cars were hand built at the Home of Rolls‑Royce at Goodwood by our dedicated and passionate workforce and the whole team can take great pride in their part in making history for our company.”