OVERVIEW
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One of 5 ever produced. 1,078 total miles
Originally spec’d and built for Henrik Fisker
Fisker-designed carbon fiber bodywork and interior
8.4-liter naturally aspirated engine, 745 horsepower and 638 lb.-ft of torque
Performance upgrades developed by racing driver Ben Keating of The Viper Exchange
Custom-designed leather interior with Alcantara accents
Tremec 6-speed manual transmission
0-60 miles per hour in 3 seconds, 218mph top speed
In a world where new car dealerships populate vast expanses of land with their hundreds of shining automobiles parked in front, the art of coach building has quickly become an art form that is practiced by the few. Many cars share parts, designs, even overall styles, all in the name of maximizing profits. However, there are some designers and companies that have decided to continue to pursue the road of coachbuilding and design, notably VLF. Comprised of Gilbert Villareal, Bob Lutz, and eventually adding legendary automotive designed Henrik Fisker, VLF created a modern-day coach-built car: The Force 1 V10.
VL Automotive (later renamed VLF) was originally a joint venture founded by former GM Vice Chair Bob Lutz and manufacturer Gilbert Villareal in 2012, designing a coach-built car based on the Fisker Karma. In 2015, Henrik Fisker joined the VL team (renamed to VHL) and moved to Detroit, designing the new 8.4-liter V10 Force 1. Henrik had always wanted to build an amazing American supercar, and that dream was slowly coming to fruition.
In 2015 Fisker was told to call American racecar driver and Viper enthusiast Ben Keating, recommended by many who knew that Fisker was going to use the Viper platform. From his experience in racing and in Viper performance components, Ben Keating was able to upgrade the already-potent engine to 745 horsepower and 638 lb.-ft of torque paired to a 6-speed manual transmission. With modified cylinder heads and a camshaft that was extremely similar to GT3R race Vipers, performance was dramatically improved. The car also received upgraded suspension that was adaptable from either street or racing use, providing different levels of stiffness based on a driver’s preference. Custom suspension tunes were also available. The team worked with Brembo to acquire high-performance brakes to match the capable performance, filling the wheel wells of the 21” wheels designed by Fisker. With the upgraded performance to match the futuristic exterior, you’ll never tire of the 745-horsepower naturally aspirated V10 with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Fisker’s signature style is evident throughout the car, with distinctive elements that let you know immediately that it is a Fisker design. Responsible for the layout and design, he drafted the car and then modeled a version in the traditional clay scale model, perfecting the curves, angles, and overall aesthetic. The carbon fiber bodywork was then created from these models, to not only be lightweight but strong. In all, the car weighs under 3,400lbs. The luxury interior is also a highpoint, with Alcantara and quilted leather on almost all the surfaces you can touch. A quilted headliner gives the cabin an extra special feeling. Observing the car from the outside you feel as though it could be a modern interpretation of the elegant Shelby Daytona coupe. Designed with unique proportions that are shared by so few cars, the shape and curves of the Force 1 provide an elegant design for those to take in and enjoy.
Production time increased dramatically for each of the hand-built cars. At the end of the program, only 5 examples were built, making this an extremely rare Fisker-designed supercar.
This particular VLF Force 1 V10 was spec’d personally by Henrik Fisker and was intended to be his personal car. Painted in a fantastic shade of dark grey metallic, the car was built with a red and black interior with leather and Alcantara accenting one another. This Force 1 was also optioned with a “stage 2” exhaust system, Henrik wanting a visceral road car that was an occasion every time he drove it.
In the era of standardization and cost-cutting, experiencing and owning a coach-built car is a rare experience unlike any other. Knowing that you have a car that so few are made that you’re more likely to see a multi-million-dollar hyper car than a car like this is a special and unique feeling. With a striking car designed by Fisker, performance upgrades designed and performed by Ben Keating, and with only 5 examples produced for the entire world, it is one of the rarest street cars you can experience, bar none.
