Fisker claims record range for shapely electric convertible

Through his latest car company, Henrik Fisker is promising a svelte convertible with some interesting numbers.

The Fisker Ronin, being referred to as an “all electric super GT” and “the ultimate long distance Grand Touring car” by the company’s founder, will have space for five occupants and anticipated range of 600 miles (965km).

It’ll be revealed on August 3, 2023.

If a production version can match that 965km range claim, the Ronin would be the longest-range electric vehicle (EV) on the market – beating even the longest-range Lucid Air, which offers 836km under the stricter US EPA test cycle.

After having previously released a front three-quarter teaser of the Ronin with its roof both up and down, the company has shown the rear three-quarter with the retractable hardtop up.

While it’s taken from one of the most flattering angles, like everybody’s old MySpace profile pictures, we can nevertheless make out styling that’s clean and muscular.

There are proportions not unlike that of the Karma from Mr Fisker’s first car company, Fisker Automotive, with bulging fenders and a curvaceous roofline, but the overhangs are tighter and the detailing neater.

There’s a flat rear deck, allowing enough room for the roof to easily fold and stow itself, while down back there’s also a full-width light bar.

Notably, Mr Fisker says it will seat five and not four occupants as previously claimed.

The rear doors aren’t as large as you would find on a sedan, instead resembling the ‘freestyle’ doors of vehicles like the Mazda RX-8 and MX-30.

Fisker says it’ll use the most advanced, lightweight materials, along with active aerodynamics, and an “innovative battery design” with the pack integrated into the structure of the vehicle.

Mr Fisker has previously said the Ronin will have a tri-motor all-wheel drive powertrain with a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) time “close to 2 seconds”.

He says the car is named not after the leaderless samurai of the Japanese feudal period, but rather the Robert De Niro film best remembered for its thrilling car chases.

A four-door convertible body style would give any production model a unique selling point.

Excluding landaulets like the Maybach 62 and off-roaders with removable roofs like the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, there haven’t been any production four-door convertibles since the Volkswagen Type 181/182 (aka the Thing) that was last produced in 1983.

Fisker Ocean

Fisker has just started delivering its first model, the Ocean crossover, which it began developing in 2020. The company delivered the first 22 examples in the US late last month, and has also commenced European deliveries.

The Ocean is produced by Magna-Steyr in Austria.

In addition to a high-end convertible in the Ronin, Fisker is also developing another EV on the other end of the spectrum: an affordable entry-level model currently referred to as the Pear, which is set to be built by contract manufacturer Foxconn at the ex-GM (and ex-Lordstown Motors) plant in Lordstown, Ohio.