Lot 214: 2006 Fisker Tramonto Roadster

Founded by Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler, Fisker Coachbuild produces timeless sports cars that inspire awe and admiration. Both men worked for renowned car companies such as BMW, Ford and Aston Martin and, like many entrepreneurs before, there came a point when they looked at each other and realised that together they could take it one step further. They wanted to follow their gut feelings and put all their experience, energy and passion towards delivering cars that speak straight from the heart. To bring a car to the market that true automotive enthusiasts can drive and enjoy, they have created a car company where the production process is built around the design, to allow emotion and performance to blend more harmoniously than ever before. They have created something truly special. Not simply a new car company, but a new vision for what an exotic, high performance, coachbuilt car can be. Beneath the skin, the engineering excellence of what the Tramonto's base architecture once was - a Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG - remains. The vast array of Mercedes-Benz' finest technological innovations, from the power-retractable hardtop to Active Body Control (ABC), remains untouched, as do safety systems, including crumple zones and airbags. At the same time, the Tramonto has become something much more, and the differences go beyond what meets the eye. At the touch of a button on the console or the remote locking device, the powered retractable hardtop transforms the two seat Tramonto from coupe to roadster in just 16 seconds. And even with the hardtop retracted, the boot is still spacious enough for two golf bags. Gaps between body panels are tight and uniform. Aluminium and carbon-fibre make up the body panels. Steel is used judiciously and only to enhance structural rigidity. LED turn indicators are housed in the grille which is constructed of anodized aluminium mesh with a chrome surround. Fog lights are inset with carbon-fibre bezels and integrated into the lower front spoiler. The imposing 20" wheels are shod with Michelin Pilot Ultra-high Performance Sport tyres, the race-inspired manufacturing technology of which allows exceptional handling, grip and cornering ability. The engine, handcrafted by a dedicated AMG technician, features forged aluminium pistons, a precision balanced crankshaft and an ultra efficient liquid-to-air intercooler and delivers 493bhp and 516 lb/ft, sufficient to provide 0-60mph acceleration in just 4.5 seconds. Power delivery is controlled through a five speed AMG SpeedShift transmission, with Fisker-modified aluminium paddle-shift controls for manual-style gear selection. This adaptive, automatic transmission monitors driving style and adjusts shift patterns accordingly. Electronic Stability Control (ESP) imparts even greater levels of handling confidence, while the rack and pinion steering features vehicle speed sensitive power assistance with an integrated hydraulic damper. Stopping power is provided by standard AMG enhanced four circuit electro-hydraulic brakes. Massive disc pads provide nearly 85% greater area compared to other high-performance pads, and an innovative design allows for very high and consistent friction coefficients during deceleration, regardless of weather. The boys at the top followed through with their choice of interior trimmers and stylists and teamed up with Distinctive Industries, the American-based leather interior experts, with the result that the seats and steering wheel are expertly hand trimmed and hand stitched in super premium, soft yet durable, Italian leathers; even the boot is lined with Alcantara. Built-in sound system controls grace the Fisker original multifunction steering wheel. Additional interior touches include improved cell phone storage and an analogue timepiece. Milled aluminium defines the centre stack, where every Tramonto is individually numbered, from one through to 150. Aluminium also accents the switches, paddle shift and boot handle. The driving experience is rounded of with such technical niceties as DVD navigation and the digital Bose Cabin Surround TM sound system; this audio tour de force features multi-channel architecture, utilising eight speakers and 5.1-channel Bose Centrepoint TM signal processing to generate a 360 degree field of sound. Bose Audio Pilot TM also digitally compensates for unwanted ambient noise to maintain clarity with no perceptible change in volume. What one has here is a bespoke motor car made with the very highest quality materials and to the very highest of standards. The other significant point to mention is that this example only has 3,000 miles recorded and it is the only right-hand drive car in the world. And with a six to eight month waiting list, one should be able to make that claim for some months to come!