By: Dave Abrahams
Detroit Motor Show - This, then, is what Henrik Fisker has been working on - the 550kW VLF Force l.
Choke on it, Aston Martin - does this look like a DB10 to you?
Actually, what is is, under the curvaceous all-carbon fibre body, is a V10 Dodge Viper with some interesting performance upgrades.
The VLF logo in the middle of the gaping 'whale shark' grille denotes the recently-formed partnership between Fisker, former GM boss Bob Lutz and industry maven Gilbert Villareal - but the Force 1 predates this tie-up.
It was the brainchild of Fisker and veteran Viper racer and dealer Ben Keating, who began throwing around ideas for a Fisker-styled performance coupé based on the Viper platform early in 2015.
Its naturally-aspirated 8.4-litre V10 has been tweaked at the Viper Exchange to increase power from the standard 475kW to 550kW and torque from 815Nm to 865Nm - which Keating reckons is good enough for a 0-100 getaway in three seconds flat, a quarter-mile sprint in the high 10s and a top speed of 350km/h.
ACTIVE SUPENSION
A six-speed manual 'box is standard, but VLF will fit an auto on request.
The Force 1 rolls on a unique active suspension system developed by Keating for racing Vipers, state-of-the-art Brembo brakes and special 21 inch rims styled by Fisker just for this car.
The styling is a lot more American than anything we've seen before from the Great Dane - both inside and out - with multiple planes, a bonnet longer than a townhouse driveway and interior trim hand-stitched in a mix of soft leather, suede and alcantara.
VLF plans to build just 50 examples of the Force 1 at its plant in Auburn Hills, Michigan - just round the corner from where Vipers are made - which will be available through the Viper Exchange at a starting price of $268 500 (R4.4 million) each.
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