Fisker Tramonto

The Fisker Tramonto is the kind of car that makes you stop and stare, wondering, “What is this masterpiece?” Designed by the legendary Henrik Fisker, the man behind beauties like the BMW Z8 and Aston Martin DB9, the Tramonto is not just a car; it’s a statement. Introduced in 2005 by Fisker Coachbuild, the company Fisker founded with Bernhard Koehler in sunny Orange County, California, the Tramonto is based on the already impressive Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG but takes things to an entirely new level. Think of it as the perfect blend of sophistication and power. Its sleek, Aston Martin-inspired lines and a carbon-fiber body; built in Italy by renowned coachbuilder Stola; ooze exclusivity. The paint? Impeccable. Fisker even offered custom colors like the eye-catching “Raptor Red”; each car took three days to paint! While the retractable roof and doors are straight from the SL, the Tramonto’s finish and detailing scream high-end artistry. Under the hood, the choices were just as exciting. You could stick with the original SL 55 AMG or SL 65 AMG engines or opt for a souped-up Kleemann version with a jaw-dropping 610 horsepower. However, like any artisanal creation, there were quirks. Test drives revealed minor hiccups; vibrations from the massive 20-inch wheels; some amplified road noise; and an exhaust alignment issue. Small things, but when you’re paying €246,000, they’re worth mentioning. And about that price: the Tramonto didn’t come cheap. For roughly €95,000 more than the SL 55 AMG, you got a car that rivaled Ferraris and Aston Martins in cost; though not everyone would argue it matched them in reputation. Still, the Tramonto had something they didn’t: the exclusivity of a handmade car paired with the reliability and serviceability of Mercedes-Benz. With only 17 units ever built and sales limited to just a handful of dealerships worldwide, owning a Tramonto was like joining an ultra-exclusive club. If rare, beautiful cars with a story fascinate you; and you’ve got the cash to spare; the Fisker Tramonto might just be your dream ride.