Compact, Innovative Crossover: The Pear
Fisker, the California-based EV startup that just recently delivered its first Ocean SUVs, has just announced details about its new Pear compact crossover. Packed with interesting ideas and design details, it is light, strong, fully electric, and really good-looking. But the most impressive thing about the Fisker Pear may be its price: a stunning $29,900 before any government incentives.
Fisker Pear: Range and Performance
How much range do you get for less than $30,000? There will be two options for buyers of the Fisker Pear. The lightest, and arguably most sustainable version, has a smaller battery that offers an claimed range of 180 miles*. A larger battery, with unspecified capacity, will offer a 320-mile* claimed range for longer trips. The base-model Pear will zip to 60 mph in a claimed 6.3 seconds, and rear- and all-wheel drive will be offered. Standard wheels are huge, at 20-inches, with 22-inch wheels available as an option.
While its large wheels and glass area give it a strong presence, the Pear actually has a very small footprint – it’s approximately 15 feet long and significantly smaller than the Fisker Ocean SUV.
Spacious Cabin With Sustainable Materials
However, because it was designed from the ground up to be an EV, and thus does not have to sacrifice any space to a large gasoline engine, the Pear still has a surprising amount of space inside, with five seats and a roomy cargo area. The cabin materials are extremely durable and tough, and there are no moving parts – making the Fisker Pear great for young, busy families as well as for car-sharing.
Remarkably, all of the Pear’s seats can fold flat, with the rears folding back into the trunk area; together, they create a lounge-like space for watching a movie on the big 17.1-inch central screen, or for taking a rest while the vehicle charges. There’s even the option of six seats, with a bench seat up front – a feature absent from most vehicles for decades. Recycled and bio-based material help make the interior of the Pear a leader in sustainability.
Remarkable Cargo Space
One cool detail is the “Houdini” trunk that enables the Pear’s users to load and unload the vehicle in tight areas, and even those with low ceilings, while avoiding damage. The trunk lid and rear glass slid down behind the rear bumper beam. There’s also an additional storage area up front – not a “frunk” as in some other EVs, but a drawer that slides out to store anything from pizzas to sweaty workout gear, keeping odors out of the cabin. There’s even the option of insulating the drawer to keep food hot or cold.
While it will be one of the least-expensive EVs on the market when the first deliveries commence in 2025, the Fisker Pear will not lack for technology. In fact, it will be Fisker’s first vehicle to incorporate its new Fisker Blade computing platform, which the company says will “offer a completely new connected and digital customer experience for the era of software-defined vehicles.”
Built to be self-contained, energy-efficient, safe, and secure from cyberattacks, the Blade runs all of the car’s infotainment features and sits in a slim, modular, and easily upgradable unit. A super-fast internal Ethernet network connects it to the Pear’s vehicle systems for high-speed networking and diagnostics, while built-in 5G cellular and wi-fi connects to the cloud. System software will be easily updated over the air, and in-car diagnostics will make remote servicing possible.
Made in the USA
The Fisker Pear will be built in the U.S., which should make it eligible for thousands of dollars of federal tax incentives. It will be manufactured in Ohio with Foxconn, a company that made its name in the miniature electronics business – including manufacturing the iPhone for Apple. Foxconn has recently made inroads into vehicle manufacturing, applying its know-how in miniaturization and efficient battery usage to electric cars. With the Chevy Bolt, currently America’s least-expensive EV, due to cease production at the end of 2023, the Pear may soon become a popular choice for those looking to go electric on a tight budget.
*All mileage is EPA-estimated
