A new supercar is always a welcome surprise — and this one is like a gift that keeps on giving!

The Force 1 V10 is the second launch model of rapidly-expanding VLF Automotive — a collabo and evolution on the VL Destino plans revealed in 2012. That car is now available for sale to owners as a Fisker Karma with an LS9 V8 engine swap instead of its previous turbo EREV powertrain.  A new nose and tail — now with quad square exhaust pipes — now tops out at 200-mph and delivers a 3.9-second sprint to 60-mph.  The unreal lowness of the four-seat super-sedan is still live and in effect — with the 21-inch alloys almost half as tall as the vehicle’s roof!  A gorgeous machine, and only the first step for the VLF ramp-up.

VL Is Now VLF

So how did “VL” become “VLF” ?  It gained a new partner!

THE “V” and “L” stand for Villareal and Lutz, by the way, the original partners in this project. Lutz needs no intro but Villareal might: Gilbert is a manufacturing and engineering expert who shares a nice ‘meta’ view of the car business. And the potential for small-batch manufacturing for startups to sell road-legal cars to US and global shoppers.

The VL now adds two more partners, Henrik Fisker and Bob Keating — a Viper racing guru.

Fisker is now a managing partner for the firm — adding that “F” to the name.

MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL

The headline and neck-swirling effects of Henrik Fisker’s beautiful design vision are well-proven.  This is the man behind the BMW Z07 and Z8, after all, not to mention the Aston Martin DB9 and many others. More recently, Fisker has been killing bespoke customs and OEM motorcycles for a variety of firms. Galpin Auto Sports — a huge Ford dealer group’s in-house skunkwerks in SoCal — green-lit the custom Fisker ROCKET Mustang coupe and Speedster.  Their all-carbon upgrades take the Mustang design to new heights — a real-life concept car you can drive to work and the grocery store. All-carbon panels for the Mustang are quite spendy mods, though: the Rocket’s $130k price limits its appeal.

Not to mention limited revenue upside for Fisker, we have to assume.

MAKE IT FOR REAL

VLF looks like a good home for Fisker’s small-batch exotic designs. As a likely equity partner, he has skin in the game for VLF Automotive and will be heavily invested in turning dreams to greens. 

Yes, just like us, Fisker and VLF Automotive want that plata!  Revenue for the firm will be modest in 2016: production estimates for the new Auburn Hills factory are under 500 units this year.  Just 50 of those will be Force 1s.

MAKE IT LEGAL

The Destino’s Karma origins are easy enough to understand, and will let the car’s existing crash-test approvals and cerification stay valid for the Destino evolution of the car.  Similar pre-approvals for the LS9 V8 engine shortcut what is often an excruciating and expensive — not to mention labor-intensive — US road legality pre-requisites.  This is similar to Fisker’s mid-2000s restyling ventures — upgrading the BMW M6 and SL63 with unique and exotic exteriors.

That template applies to this new Force 1 as well: it is an upgraded Viper under the new all-carbon exterior.

MAKE IT EXOTIC

The design of the Force 1 is enough to make a pants tent.

Its extreme chopped intakes, carved-out central intake and scowling LEDs make for a look unlike any Viper.  There is a blocky, mechanical purity to the F1 (for short) design that feels more modern, more exotic and much sexier than the factory Viper.

The proportions obviously need no introduction — WIDE and LOW in all caps from all side.  A clean re-expression of the glasshouse is a win/win: this flowing sliver of black quarter-window glass arcs up and tight to the fastback roofline in profile. The up-kick of the side glass also brings the HUGE real fenders into stark relief.

It is a seriously gorgeous exotic supercar.  One unlike anyone will ever have seen before or since.

Old cliches like a ‘future Cobra Daytona’ are often just lip service. But seriously… the Force 1 is as close as any supercar has come to delivering a 2020 Cobra coupe style.  We love the look from all sides.

Every angle of the Force 1 is dripping with sexy boner energy, somehow.

Our least favorite detail?  The rear badge, which looks and cheap beside the stunning reverse-vents expelling hot air from the front and back wheels. The carved-out rear bumper itself is a piece of art. Gorgeous.  Avoids some of the blob-like angles of the Viper design and even its Maserati-concept cousin, the Alfieri.

MAKE IT FASTER

Clearly, the VLF group likes to go fast. The Destino V8 is proof of the interest there, for sure.

In the Force 1, VLF is still on its mission to be faster, louder and just plain better than their parts-donors ever were.  This means a 100-horsepower bump for the SRT10’s 8.4-liter V10 engine: from 645 up to 745. We assume this is achieved through a racing cam profile, intake and exhaust tweaks. All good moves — and well-proven on the racing circuit by years of Viper LeMans thunder.

MAKE IT SCARY

The Force 1’s engine and exhaust mods — we hope — solve for one of the Viper’s big initial let-downs: its exhaust note on startup and idle. While the V10 in the factory Viper loves to sing on hard throttle and up high in its tach, the engine fires up like a tired turd.  (Sorry Dodge.)

It is just farty and bellowy and grumpy and lumpy as you pull away for the first time.  It does not take a Bob Lutz to know this is a turn-off among supercar shoppers — who often decide in the first block of a test drive if they will buy the car. Just like all car shoppers, then.

VLF will make the Force 1 fire up like a mad Nascar from hell. We hope a remote-switchable exhaust offers a dual mode setting for calm or shouty modes on command.

KEEP IT RARE

The Force 1 is awesome for all these reasons and more.  But our favorite detail?  The order book is open RIGHT NOW!

Just 50 units will be made, all sold by ViperExchange.com and priced at $269,000.

A weight loss of 200 pounds versus the stock Viper, plus the power and new grip on 21-inch racing Pirellis, will work wonders for the Force 1’s dragstrip cred and overall performance stats.  a 3.0-second sprint to 60-mph and 218-mph are each much better than any non-ACR Viper can deliver.

MAKE IT FRESH

Juicy tidbit?  The Force 1 can be ordered with the standard six-speed stick, just like the Viper. With its similar intimidating throw feel among gears and its awkwardly-placed, long-travel clutch.  This is fine for purists, sure.

But unlike any Viper ever, however, a six-speed automatic is available on the Force 1 V10.  Yes!  SOOO much power, paddle shifters and torque like a dumtruck!?  YES!  This engine with an automatic is something we have begged FCA to produce for years; so far to no avail.  They like that the Viper is extreme and hard-to-master…. That is part of its legend in the firm.

But as the new Corvette Z06 and its 2.95-second automatic prove: there is wisdom in self-shifters.   The automatic is so smart to offer buyers, and just another way VLF Automotive hopes to fill cracks in what the major OEMs are offering shoppers.

SERVE IT UP!

This juicy prime rib certainly whets the appetite for more from VLF Automotive.

Doubling the price of the Viper is intimidating — but you have to focus on the massive improvements the Force 1 brings to the table, its one-off exotic design for every piece of the body, and its general balls.  This is a ballsy group — guys like Lutz who gives the middle-finger to TARP funds. Villareal with the cash to make things happen.  And now Fisker to turn crank up the design volume.

Welcome, VLF Automotive, to the Huracan and 911 Turbo S knife-fight for buyer wallets.  When the 570S is too much of a Corolla, and the Corvette too much of a cialis-prescription-confirmation — you find this orgasmic original in the Force 1 V10 and Destino V8.

You need any ballsy PR guys? =]

TASTE THE DREAM

Check out the tech specs, company intro, exec bios and how-to-order info links below.  We’ll take ours as a 2019 VLF Force 2 — a roofless speedster with the Hellcat engine and an automatic!?  =]

Sacrilege?  Nope.  Just extreme personalization for full-throttle hedonists like us.

Buy this car!  First orders start shipping around May of this year to their rockstar owners.

 

2017 VLF Automotive FORCE 1 V10

 

745-HP FORCE 1 V10 DEBUTS AT 2016 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW AS THE NEW AMERICAN SUPERCAR

 

Legendary Designer Henrik Fisker and Race Car Driver Ben Keating Develop the Ultimate American Driving Machine

 

DETROIT (JANUARY 12, 2016) – Legendary automotive designer Henrik Fisker and American race car driver Ben Keating today unveiled the 2016 Force 1 V10, an allnew American Super Car, during the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The two-seat, all carbon fiber-bodied Force 1 is a high-performance, lowproduction sports car, manufactured in Auburn Hills, Michigan by the newly launched VLF Automotive, of which Fisker is a partner and design chief.

“Force 1 is another dramatic example of what we are going to do at VLF Automotive by combining proven world-class platforms and components

with elegant designs to produce stunning bespoke luxury sports vehicles” said Bob Lutz, VLF Automotive Chairman.

Fisker and Keating entered partnership discussions in early 2015 after bonding over their mutual love of cars, fondness for each other’s professional work and the possibilities that could emerge if their skill sets intersected. 

“What inspired me most about building this partnership with Ben is that he is the most passionate Viper racer in the world and understands performance metrics in cars, both on the track and on the road, better than anyone I’ve ever met,” said Fisker.  “He’s developed a unique active suspension for superior handling and ride, which is seamlessly integrated into the Force 1, enhancing performance whether on track or road.”

“To work with Henrik as one of the world’s best designers to create a super exciting, wide curvy body for this amazing car is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Keating said. “Plus, it’s the perfect vehicle to showcase many of the incredible performance features we’ve been working on for years. It really is the chance to start with an amazing initial platform to develop an incredible American super car with exceptional design and performance.”

Force 1 V10 features an all carbon fiber, lightweight body and 21-inch wheels with highperformance Pirelli P Zero tires and Brembo high-performance brakes. The car has one of the most powerful naturally aspirated road engines in the world delivering the best performance in its price class.

Force 1 embodies Henrik Fisker’s design language, which underpins all VLF Automotive cars. With Fisker’s signature balance between proportion, sculpture and graphics, the exterior design of Force 1 boasts classic American sports car proportions with a long hood, short front overhang, long tail and pushed out wheels. 

“In the case of Force 1, there is an extremely pushed back green house,” Fisker explained. “The sculpture on Force 1 is like a family succession to Destino, dramatic and powerful, relative flat surfaces on the high end of the body side, with lines full of tension, emerging onto a rounder lower section, where Force 1 has a large functional outlet. The sculptural hood has unique, large, negative surfaces, as in the family of the Destino, with six highly needed air intakes and outlets for the 745-HP 8.4 L V10 engine. The windscreen wraps around into the side glass, followed by an elegant, yet aggressive side line sweeping up towards the rear deck. The graphics are uniquely sleek with ultra-thin lights in front and UTV laser-blade tail lamps, the thinnest tail lamps in the world, at the rear. The day light opening (DLO), or side window, has a completely new and never before seen graffic that ends up in a sharp spear.” 

Force 1 incorporates downforce elements such as the deep front spoiler and aggressive rear diffusor in pure visible carbon fiber. At the top of the rear glass sits a unique rear wing spoiler also housing the in car Wi-Fi and third brake light. 

Both the front and rear signature Henrik Fisker wheels have a concave section design to improve strength of the wheel, requiring less mass. The 21-inch aluminum wheels with wide high-performance Pirelli tires sits in lean, sculptured, pronounced wheel arches. The front features an aggressive grille housing the VLF logo in the center and two ultra-slim lights sitting above the grille. The interior is luxurious, with hand stitched ultra-soft leather, Alcantara, suede with several other unique features, such as a champagne holder. 

Production commences at the end of April 2016 in Auburn Hills and deliveries begin in third quarter 2016, with the base price starting at $268,500. Force 1 V10 will be produced in limited numbers with an initial production of only 50 units and available through Ben Keating’s Viper Exchange. Besides owning a limited edition all-American, highperformance luxury sports car, Force1 V10 owners will have the unique opportunity to attend two racing events per year with Ben Keating as an integral part of the team, in the paddock and in the pits where all the action takes place. This is an exclusive, all-access pass into the drama and excitement of sport car racing in a way found nowhere else. 

2017 VLF Automotive FORCE 1 V10 – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Engine:                         8.4 L V10

HP / RPM:                     745 HP / 6100 rpm

Torque:                          638 lb-ft. / 928 NM / 5000 rpm

Top speed:                    218 mph / 350 KM/H

0-60 MPH:                     3.0 seconds 

1/4 mile:                         10.97 seconds / 136,88 MPH

Dimensions:                   Length: 4545 mm, Width: 2018 mm, Height: 1243 mm

Wheel Base:                  2512mm

Weight:                         3395pounds / 1538kg 

Aluminum wheels and tire size:

Front:                             21″x10.5″ Pirelli P ZERO 305/25/ZR21

Rear:                              21″x13″ Pirelli P ZERO 355/25/ZR21

Gearbox (Standard):      6 speed manual

Gearbox (Optional):       6 speed automatic with paddle shift

 

ABOUT VLF AUTOMOTIVE

VLF Automotive is an American luxury sports car company founded in 2015 by former General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, manufacturer Gilbert Villarreal and entrepreneur and designer Henrik Fisker. VLF Automotive has a state-of-the-art development and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills and a design and technology center in Los Angeles.  With Lutz as chairman, Villarreal as CEO and Fisker as head of design and product strategy, the team represent more than 100 years experience in the automotive industry and has been instrumental in creating iconic cars such as BMWs, Vipers, Aston Martin’s, Corvettes and Fisker. VLF Automotive will remain a low volume manufacturer of luxury and sporty automobiles, bringing together true American luxury and performance with reliability for everyday enjoyment. VLF Automotive has announced the production of 2 models in 2016: Destino V8 and Force 1 V10. The company is expected to have seven dedicated dealers with full service capability, throughout North America, and several international dealers appointed in 2016. More information can be found at www.vlfautomotive.com

 

FORCE 1 ORDERING INFORMATION

Visit:     www.force1supercar.com

 

 

 

ABOUT BEN KEATING

Ben Keating is a consummate car guy, businessman, racer, team owner and a car collector.  He bought his own small dealership in 2002 and during the past 14 years, he and his team have purchased 15 dealerships representing 15 different brands.   Retailing 25,000 vehicles in Texas in 2015, most sales have been trucks and SUVs, but Keating also loves sports cars and sports car racing. Through his website ViperExchange.com, he has been the #1 volume Viper dealer in the world for the past six years.   He was a Viper racer before he was a Viper retailer, and has proven that “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” is still very true today.  Keating was a multiple National Champion in the Dodge Viper Cup before teaming up with Bill Riley and Riley Motorsports to be the only American sports car to compete in the GTD class of the Tudor United Sportscar

Championship. With six wins and multiple podiums for the Viper GT3-R over the last two years, including the 2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona, Keating is one of the most successful Viper racers in history.  Keating and Riley brought home the Patron North American Endurance Championship in 2015, and also took a Viper GTSR to France to compete in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans, earning the fastest lap of the race for the GT-Am field.  In addition to racing, Keating is also the world’s largest volume Viper retailer, which gives him the opportunity to explore many opportunities to bring his racing knowledge to street car performance.

 

ABOUT HENRIK FISKER

Henrik Fisker is an entrepreneur and one of the world’s leading automotive designers. Fisker is a founding partner at VLF Automotive and head of design and product strategy. Fisker is also Founder and CEO of HF Design, a Los Angeles based innovation and industrial design house that works across numerous categories including luxury travel, automotive, architectural design, furniture, smart devices, consumer products and technology. Previously Fisker founded Fisker Automotive in 2007, where he launched the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid, Fisker Karma. Best known among his creations are BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Among his latest creations is the Viking motorcycle, Rocket, Destino and Force 1. More information can be found at www.henrikfisker.org

2016 VLF Destino V8

VLF AUTOMOTIVE IS BORN

A New American Luxury Sports Car Company Is Born

Auburn Hills, MI January 8, 2016 – VLF Automotive, a new, US-based luxury sports car company, officially launches today through a partnership between legendary automotive designer Henrik Fisker, former General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz and entrepreneur and manufacturer Gilbert Villarreal. Fisker is a VLF shareholder and third member of the executive management team alongside Lutz and Villarreal.  

“It’s a circle,” Lutz explained. “When Gilbert and I formed VL Automotive in 2012, we wanted to take Henrik’s beautifully proportioned design, replace the hybrid gas-electric power train with a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 drivetrain, and create a bespoke four-door luxury car with outstanding performance.  With Henrik on board, we are ready to present the Destino with a refined design, and a new model named Force 1 that Henrik has developed with an acclaimed race car driver, at the 2016 North American International Auto Show.”

VLF Automotive boasts a state-of-the-art development and manufacturing facility in Auburn

Hills and a design and technology center in Los Angeles.  With Lutz as chairman, Villarreal as CEO and Fisker as head of design and product strategy, VLF team represents more than 100 years experience at the top-tier of the the automotive industry and have been instrumental in such iconic cars as Aston Martins, BMWs, Vipers and Corvettes.

“I’m honored to become a partner in this automotive ‘Dream Team’,” said Fisker. “With the management and financial skills of Bob Lutz, the manufacturing expertise of Gilbert Villarreal and my design innovation, we’re poised to launch an extraordinary company, as we seek to change the future of the American auto industry.”

The Destino embodies everything that VLF Automotive stands for: American, tailor made, high- quality, performance and ingenuity. Designed by Henrik Fisker, and engineered and built by VLF’s experienced automotive team in Auburn Hills, MI, the Destino sets out to be the leading high-performance 4-door GT in the world. Powered by a reliable Corvette LS9 V8 engine, the Destino, with its relatively low weight, has tremendous performance characteristics. The Destino V8 retail price starts at $229,000. 

VLF Automotive will be adding additional jobs at its dedicated manufacturing facility in Auburn hills, when production of the Destino and Force 1 ramps up throughout 2016. VLF is expected to have 7 dedicated dealers with full-service capability throughout North America and several international dealers appointed in 2016.

 

VLF Destino

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION:

HP / RPM:                     638HP @ 6500rpm

Torque / RPM:                604lb-ft @ 3800 rpm / 819 NM / 3800 rpm b

0-60 mph seconds:        3.9 estimated

Top speed:         Wheel & tire size:	200mph estimated
Front wheels	22” 265/30R22 tires
Rear wheels	22” 305/30ZR22 tires
Weight:	4300lb
Size (l x w x h):	196.4 / 4988 (in / mm) x 78.2 / 1986mm (in / mm) x 52.4 / 1330 (in / mm)

ABOUT BOB LUTZ

On May 1, 2010, Robert A. Lutz, retired as vice chairman, of General Motors, following a 47-year career in the global automotive industry, including senior leadership positions at four of the world’s leading automakers and founded Lutz Communications, a universal business consulting firm with an emphasis on businesses in motion. He currently serves as Chairman of The New Common School Foundation and is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the U.S. Marine Corps University Foundation and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas. He is a contributor to CNBC and Road & Track. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of VIA Motors, and is on the boards of EnerG2 and NanoSteel and is on the advisory boards of Alexander Proudfoot and Current Motor. He is also a partner in VLF Automotive with Gilbert Villarreal & Henrik Fisker.

 

ABOUT GILBERT VILLARREAL

Mr. Villarreal is the chief executive officer of VLF Automotive. Mr. Villarreal is a former United States Marine and holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.  After serving active duty in the Marine Air Wing as an Aircraft Aviation Specialist on numerous Naval aircraft, Mr. Villarreal continued his career in aerospace with the Boeing Aircraft Company on the 767 and 747 aircraft production lines in Everett, Washington. After 10 years in Aerospace manufacturing, Mr. Villarreal transitioned into the automotive and marine industries with UTA “United Technologies Automotive” with The Becker Group, and as the chief executive officer with Acord Incorporated, a leader in automotive interior trim systems and chief executive officer of Concorde Marine, a luxury yacht manufacturer in Washington State. Mr. Villarreal has over 32 years of wide manufacturing experience that spreads from Aerospace, Automotive, and Marine industries. As an industrialist with a diverse portfolio, Mr. Villarreal has successfully restructured companies in both the automotive and marine yacht building industries.

 

ABOUT HENRIK FISKER

Henrik Fisker is an entrepreneur and one of the world’s leading automotive designers. Fisker is a founding partner at VLF Automotive and head of design and product strategy. Fisker is also Founder and CEO of HF Design, a Los Angeles based innovation and industrial design house that works across numerous categories including luxury travel, automotive, architectural design, furniture, smart devices, consumer products and technology. Previously Fisker founded Fisker Automotive in 2007, where he launched the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid, Fisker Karma. Best known among his creations are BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Among his latest creations is the Viking motorcycle, Rocket, Destino and Force 1. More information can be found at www.henrikfisker.org 

 

MORE INFORMATION

Sales/Dealership/Media enquiries: info@vlfautomotive.com

Visit: www.vlfautomotive.com