We like the rare and unusual, cars that gain cult status among gearheads, not for their huge numbers or even affordable price, but simply because most are so little known, they fly under the radar. The demise of Fisker, as saddening as it was, gave a phoenix-like rise to VLF, only madder and more insane, done with EV hybrid powertrains going back to good old-fashioned internal combustion.
Gearheads understand gasoline, big displacement engines, and noise, traits carmakers are finally realizing won't go away overnight. Sadly for VLF, the Force 1 dream barely made it to low volume production, it's a story that blights many small specialist carmakers, stunning, wickedly fast designs that undeservedly joined the ranks of flops before they even had a chance to make it big. With limited exposure comes a near-mythical aura, the Force 1 suffering from a mix of; "VLF who? Isn't that just a modified Viper?" Both cruel taunts at one of America's best unknown supercars of recent years, a pity because it puts the Viper to shame in every area.
10 What Is it?
VLF Automotive who? We were dubious too about another up-start supercar brand with no pedigree behind it, and while the name might be unfamiliar, the faces behind the Force 1 are no strangers to high-performance machinery.
Founded in 2012 VLF is a collaboration of automotive stalwarts, Gilbert Villarreal, Bob Lutz, and Henrik Fisker, from where the brand takes its name. The first VLF-branded project appearing 2013, based largely on the Fisker Karma, the Destino ditching hybrid power for a Corvette-sourced LS9 V8 motor.
9 Fresh Design
You're probably thinking VLF are just tweaked Fiskers, and in the case of the Destino you're right, but think of that one as a warm-up act for Henrik Fiskers' next, and more ambitious project.
In 2016, the Force 1 emerged, a ground-up fresh design built with an air of familiarity about it. From the front, hints of Aston Martin are easy to identify, the lights and grille, in particular, sharing a passing resemblance to both the V8 Vantage and later DB9, both production readied under Henrik Fisker's watchful eye.
8 Return Of The Viper?
Ground-up fresh design in reality only stretches as far as you can see, beneath the elongated hood line and fastback rear end, the VLF Force 1 shares its chassis with America's other insanely fast and brutal coupe, the Viper.
Minor changes included a small gain in both length and width, VLF choosing a full carbon-fiber body for improved structural rigidity, that once fully assembled and decked out with some unusual luxury items came in at 3395 lbs compared to the Vipers 3389 lbs.
7 Bonkers Or Beautiful?
On paper, anything vaguely Viper-esque with more power is going to sway thinkers to the bonkers side, cars with big, front-mounted engines are exciting to drive as they tend to be stripped back to nothing in an unending quest for top-billing performance.
Luckily, for those 50 or so buyers on VLFs intended customer list, the Force 1 opts for more power in place of creature comforts. On the wish list of modern gizmos, in-built GPS, smartphone connectivity, and charging backed up by its own Wi-Fi hotspot, the antenna for which is cunningly hidden in the roof-mounted spoiler. Not interested in tech for the sake of it? Just sit back and enjoy the plushly lined leather and alcantara trim.
6 V10 Power
Proudly wearing 8.4 V10 badging leaves little doubt what engine VLF makes use of, crammed under the hood tucked well behind the front axle makes the Force 1 front mid-engined, the idea being better weight distribution, in theory, improves handling.
In the Viper, 640 hp would have seen inexperienced gearheads get into trouble very quickly. VLF has taken performance to another level, tweaking the stock V10 to 745 hp, which, when paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, rockets its occupants to sixty in 3-seconds with a top speed around the 218 mph mark.
5 Race-Tuned Active Suspension
Power without control counts for nothing, ask any gearhead (un)lucky enough to pilot the original Viper, and you'll probably hear tales of unrefined suspension and poor grip levels. Ironically, VLF partnered with experienced Viper racer Ben Keating to develop the Force 1's suspension.
Firm when called upon, with softer settings for road use, the Force 1 used active dampers to control suspension travel and grip. Sensors check spring and damper rebound rates 10,000 times per second, ensuring maximum grip at all times.
4 Widest Tires Of Any Production Car
Keeping 745 hp in check is a big task for any suspension and tire set-up, made all the more tricky by VLF's choice of 21-inch rims front and rear. At the back end, 355/25/ZR21 rubber is bigger than you get on dozens of modern supercars, both LaFerrari And Aventador topping out at 335 mm.
Up front, slightly smaller but no less intimidating 305/25/ZR21 tires keep the nose of the Force 1 pointing in the right direction. Power steering? Not that we could find mention of, hopefully, this is an omission, otherwise, at low speeds, the Force 1 is going to be a brute.
3 Odd Standard Fit Equipment
Touted as a serious home-grown supercar, its monstrous performance and power figures are guaranteed to grab any gearhead's attention. The Force 1 had us convinced the moment we spotted V10 badging on its sides and rear, only to be let down by a questionable standard fit item.
Pop open either door, and there, among the acres of hand-stitched leather, is space for two Champagne bottles, admittedly you could easily swap these out for more law-abiding beverages, but it does raise a question over VLFs image.
2 Open Topped Proposal
The jury is out on this one, did VLF ever produce a convertible option? Judging by this example advertised online it would seem so, if you're going to have a V10 powered supercar why not go for the open-aired experience.
We're curious to know if VLF merely chopped the carbon-fiber roof off, adding subsequent cross bracing under the chassis? Not forgetting the Viper originally came topless, the chassis should in theory be up to the task.
1 From Fifty To Five
At its 2016 Detroit Auto Show debut, VLF announced plans to produce 50 examples, the first of which would only be available via Ben Keating Viper Exchange, the first two examples were completed within 10-weeks, with the following batches slated for distribution by third parties.
The Force 1 dream never realized its full potential, high sticker prices of $268,000 for essentially a re-skinned Viper, and the Viper's demise itself curtailed production with just five cars completed, one of which belonged to Henrik Fisker. The last known update in late 2017 hinted at further examples, but little or nothing has been heard since.