We heard news not long ago that Detroit-based VL Automotive, in which ex-GM executive Bob Lutz is involved, is planning on selling V8-powered Fisker-bodied vehicles.

According to news agency Reuters, VL Automotive is partnering with China’s Wanxiang Group with the goal of acquiring the post-bankruptcy assets of Fisker.

If this story seems familiar, keep in mind that Wanxiang is the Chinese company that acquired the automotive division of then also bankrupt battery maker A123 Systems.

Interestingly, A123 Systems was the battery provider to Fisker.

It is then not surprising to see VL Automotive and Wanxiang team up for the assets of Fisker considering VL Automotive needs Fisker bodies for its Destinio (pictured) to see the light and that Wanxiang needs Fisker to be alive to provide batteries to the Karma.

Reuters said in its article that “this comes alongside a separate push by investors in Europe and Hong Kong, including billionaire Richard Li, to buy out the U.S. Department of Energy’s position in Fisker.”

Fisker’s Karma were assembled by long-time automotive supplier Valmet.

Fisker has not commissioned Valmet to build a single Karma plug-in hybrid since July 2012 and has seen its founder, automotive designer Henrik Fisker, leave the company abruptly mid-March.

On April 5, 2013, Fisker Automotive laid off160 of its employees; word has it a mere 53 employees remain out of the Anaheim-based company that once boasted over 400.

As is often the case in these situations, no one involved would comment, confirm or deny the information. One thing is sure: negotiations are underway for Fisker’s assets and everyone could be surprised by the outcome.

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Today at the North American Auto Show in Detroit, the suggestively styled series hybrid was unveiled as a re-badged iteration called the Destino.

Rather than an uber-green theme however, this prototype – slated for production in Michigan in later 2013 after passing certification and validation – packs a “handcrafted” 638-horsepower Corvette ZR1 LS9 engine with either a manual or automatic transmission. Gone is the series hybrid plug-in powertrain, and this fire breather was shoehorned in place. Notice the big tailpipes?

Apparently we were not the only ones to perceive the potential. As we noted in our full review, the car exudes testosterone, and puts on high-performance airs thick enough to cut with a pair of Fisker scissors.

Octogenarian Lutz, who was also instrumental in his long career at bringing the Dodge Viper to market in the late-1980s, but most recently has become a champion of the green car movement promoting VIA Motors plug-in hybrid trucks apparently saw another marketing opportunity.

The Karma’s sleek shells designed by former Aston Martin and BMW designer, Henrik Fisker now back up those looks in no uncertain terms.

And, it could almost be construed as a mixed message added to a mixed message.

Here you have a “green car” – the Karma – that’s not very green and pretends to be more high-po than it is. And a “car guy” turned green car advocate, doing an about face and converting said green car back to the gas guzzler it never was to befit its looks.

But hey, this is what you have. The Karma was not selling great and it looks like this is a new way to make some side money while Fisker Automotive continues to work on its next down-market series hybrid, the Atlantic.

And for those with money and fuel to burn, Lutz and associates are playing both sides of the fence by turning out a world-class looking super sedan with conventional powertrain to match.

The company behind it all, VL-Automotive – says the Destino is the result of collaboration by industrialist Gilbert Villereal and Bob Lutz – who offered his take on the subject in a press release.

“The goal in designing and engineering this automobile is to provide true motoring enthusiasts with an exquisite work of automotive art that performs at a world-class level. Attention to detail is a paramount concern, as is reliability and ease of maintenance,” according to Lutz. “We have made styling modifications to differentiate our design and re-engineered the chassis to accommodate the 638bhp ZR1′s handcrafted LS9 engine with either a manual or automatic transmission. The result is truly an American designed, engineered and manufactured four-door performance car that rivals such models as the Porsche Panamera and Aston-Martin-Lagonda Rapide.

“We are developing our distribution network now and will deliver Destino on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers will have the option of customizing the exterior color and interior trim,” Lutz said.

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