Fisker , the recently resurrected luxury brand, will relaunch this January with an all-electric SUV, and we now know the name. The 2021 Fisker Ocean will make its global debut via livestream on January 4, 2020 in production-intent concept form, with pricing announcements and a reservation bank opening next month.

For its estimated $40,000 base price, the Ocean features some impressive EV specs—a standard 80-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that enables a targeted range of between 250 and 300 miles. The SUV also features a full-length solar roof panel that will provide 1,000 free, completely carbon-neutral miles of driving every year. That's not a whole lot, but every bit helps.

In addition to its more predictable EV eco credentials, the 2021 Fisker Ocean focuses on its entire lifecycle impact, including how raw materials are sourced and what happens to the vehicle after it's scrapped. "The Fisker Ocean will be the world's most sustainable vehicleâfeaturing recycled, vegan and more innovative materials," says the company.

The Three Rs

The 2021 Fisker Ocean is a good archetype of the "Three Rs" of environmentalism: reduce, reuse, and recycle. For example, the SUV won't feature a traditional hood, instead featuring fixed bodywork that reduces both weight and cost by jettisoning multiple stampings, sealing materials, and hinges. Electronics and an air conditioning unit will take up the space under the front bodywork, creating more room in the interior.

Rubber waste from tire production will be collected and repurposed, helping the company cut down its landfill impact. Although Fisker didn't specify what it would do with the old rubber, we could see a variety of potential uses: playground foundations, insulation, or even road construction.

Creating a sustainable interior was a key goal for the company as well, which is why the 2021 Fisker Ocean features fully recycled carpeting made from the nylon found in abandoned fishing net waste, a vegan and leather-free interior, and faux suede made from recycled polyester derved from plastic bottles and discarded clothing.

And although Fisker has yet to establish a series-production manufacturing facility, the company is aiming for an efficient and environmentally conscious production process.

Easy Being Green

The 2021 Fisker Ocean isn't a space pod or bubble car like many of its EV rivals. Designed in California by Henrik Fisker, the man behind the stunning BMW Z8 and first-generation Aston Martin V8 Vantage , the Ocean is definitely a looker. It's not Fisker's first attempt at an SUV either, as he participated in the design of the first BMW X5

A short, stubby "hood" gives the Ocean slightly odd proportions, but knife-slit headlamps and an unusual but attractive front grille make a lean and mean first impression. Around back, the Fisker's taillights repeat the motif of the headlights, while the diffuser and bumper cover recall the grille. A blacked-out greenhouse features an unusual split D-pillar, and we can't wait to see more renderings to get some insight on that design anomaly. What we really like about the bird's-eye view is the Ocean's wheels-at-the-corners stance, emphasized by wide fender arches that jut out from the bodywork.

Where Do I Sign?

The Ocean will be available to lease via mobile app, a strategy that mirrors the subscription-like programs of other automakers. For one monthly rate, Fisker customers will receive the vehicle as well as all required service and maintenance, with the entire retail experience handled by the company itself, rather than an independent dealer network. The company is also working on a nationwide concierge program to assist customers with scheduled maintenance and other needs.

For folks that prefer ownership, the targeted MSRP puts the supposedly luxurious 2021 Fisker Ocean in the same price bracket as commodity electrics like the Nissan Leaf Plus, Chevrolet Bolt, and Hyundai Kona EV. If the SUV can meet its price and range goals, that would make it quite a bargain among modern electric vehicles.

Of course, that last caveat is a big "if." Fisker's most recent foray into the luxury EV space (the relatively inefficient Fisker Karma ) was a commercial failure, although the intellectual property has since been resurrected into Karma Motors, a company now unaffiliated with Fisker. We'll withhold final judgment until we see a few production-ready machines wafting down the road.

Source: Fisker