► Maximum range of 390 miles
► £34,990 starting price in the UK
► On sale in Europe late 2022
Fisker, the North American EV manufacturer, has officially launched its new Ocean SUV at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Production is set to start in November 2022, with the first deliveries to select European markets set to arrive shortly afterwards.
It’s also looking like Britain can count itself amongst Fisker’s favoured group of countries, as the brand has already confirmed some UK prices. The Ocean will start from £34,990, which means it’ll undercut its main rival, the Tesla Model Y, by a whopping £20,000.
Impressive. But can it go as far as the Tesla?
The entry-level Sport model can’t. Fisker says that version will travel 275 miles between trips to the plug. But that’s only around 55 miles less than you get from the cheapest Tesla Model Y Long Range – and is that much extra range really worth an extra £20,000?
Fisker’s flagship Ocean Extreme compensates for this by offering a maximum claimed range of 390 miles, which is about 60 miles more than you get from the longest-range Model Y. If that wasn’t enough, it costs the same as the cheapest Model Y, at £59,990.
In the middle of the line-up, there’s the £48,900 Ocean Ultra. Fisker says this variant will have a maximum range of more than 380 miles (which is still more than the Tesla can manage) – and it’ll be the entry-point to the range for the company’s dual-motor powertrain.
Well, come on then. Tell us the performance specs
Hold your horses, we’re getting to it. There’ll be a choice of three powertrains. Sport models will have a single electric motor mounted on the front axle, which produces 271bhp. Fisker says that’s enough for a 0–60mph time of 6.9 seconds.
The middling Ultra model adds an extra electric motor on the rear axle, which bumps the Ocean’s output up to 533bhp and slashes the SUV’s 0–60mph time to 3.9 seconds. It’s also the entry-point for the company’s Smart Traction torque vectoring system, which can direct power to the wheel with the most amount of grip to improve cornering performance.
Range-topping Extreme cars get a slightly more potent version of the same dual-motor powertrain, with power rising to 542bhp. Fisker says the extra grunt will drop the Ocean’s 0–60mph time to 3.6 seconds which, to put that into perspective, is 0.2 seconds quicker than the all-new Audi RS 3.
What about the equipment? Surely you get less there?
Not really. Even the cheapest model has an enormous 17.1-inch infotainment system, a full length panoramic sunroof and clever assistance technology such as a digital rear-view mirror and an as-yet unseen traffic light recognition system. And the amount of equipment only increases the further up the pecking order you go.
So, mid-range Ultra cars feature an upgraded stereo, a 360-degree view camera, a reverse collision mitigation and California Mode – a setting which lowers every window on the vehicle apart from the windscreen. This includes the glass in the tailgate, which Fisker says ‘turns a versatile SUV into a coastline-cruising convertible.’
The Ocean Extreme builds on this specification with Fisker’s Immersive Audio surround sound system, front and rear heated seats, and a parking assistant, which can steer the car into both parallel and end-on spaces. Buyers even get a solar panel for the roof, which can harvest up to 1500 miles of range per year from the sun.
As is customary for new car launches these days, the first batch of cars that roll off the production line will only be available in a highly equipped launch edition specification. Fisker calls its effort the Ocean One – and it’ll cost the same as the Extreme, at £59,900, but it’ll be fitted with a little extra technology to entice buyers to open their cheque books.
Upgrades over the Extreme model include some model-specific graphics for the doors and interior and a set of dedicated 22-inch alloy wheels fitted with aerodynamic inserts made from recycled carbon fibre.
Anything else that’s worth mentioning?
A couple of things, the first of which is warranty. It seems Fisker is confident in its ability to build a reliable electric car, as the firm will offer a six-year basic warranty, as well as a 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty for the powertrain warranty and battery pack.
Fisker expects its drivers to work their cars, too. The Ocean Ultra and Extreme will have a maximum towing weight of 1815kg – and even the cheapest Sport model will be able to haul more than a tonne. The company will also confirm its roof rack options later this year.
If you’re interested in driving a Fisker Ocean, the company is currently taking deposits. $250 (around £187) can secure you a place in the company’s order book.
Click here for our review of the Tesla Model Y