In a peculiar turn of events, Aston Martin->ke13 has filed suit against Henrik Fisker, alleging that Fisker->ke1074 copied a number of a design elements on the Vanquish-->ke1316based Thunderbolt sports car.->ke506 The suit also states that Fisker is misleading potential Thunderbolt buyers when he says that the model is based on the latest Aston Martin Vanquish, when in fact the car has the underpinnings of an older DB9 or DBS. Truthfully, the single photo of the interior of Fisker's Thunderbolt does show a more old-school center console.

The news is even more surprising considering that Fisker used to be head of design at Aston Martin and was responsible for the V8 Vantage and the DB9's looks. On top of that, Aston Martin says that the designer contacted his former employer in the early stages of development for the Thunderbolt, and Aston Martin believed that the final design would look different. After the Thunderbolt was shown at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, Aston Martin promptly filed a suit in a California court. "Fisker's bad-faith intent to free-ride off the tremendous goodwill associated with the famous Aston Martin mark, wings logo, side vent mark, and Vanquish mark could not be more transparent," the carmaker said in the legal filing.

The complaint mentions harsh words like "trademark infringement, false designation of origin, dilution, false advertising, intentional interference with contractual relationship and interference with prospective economic advantage." In other words, the relationship between Henrik Fisker and Aston Martin couldn't have turned more sour.

Continue reading to learn more about Henrik Fisker's cars.

Why it matters

After leaving Aston Martin's design department, launching a coachbuilding company and then a car manufacturing company, Henrik Fisker seemed to be heading in the right direction professionally. That was until a few years ago, when he was forced out of Fisker Automotive, and since then he has stood outside the limelight. In early 2015, Henrik seemed to be back, but not necessarily for all the right reasons.

Both cars he designed for Galpin Motors look striking, although a bit over-styled, but while the Ford Mustang-based Galpin Rocket is a regular show-stopper and gathered nothing but praise, the Aston-Martin-based Thunderbolt seems to have attracted bad luck. I am anxiously awaiting the trial's outcome, although I wouldn't hold my breath for the Thunderbolt to ever reach production with the same design.

Aston Martin Thunderbolt Concept By Henrik Fisker

Read our full review here.