Motor Authority - blog Category: Karma

Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid has already won flocks of followers thanks to its stunning looks and powerful stat sheet, so it should be no surprise that the opening of the brand's Santa Monica dealership was met with a full house of guests and fans.

The car itself has yet to come to production reality, and so far its only real-world test was on the track at Laguna Seca during the Pebble Beach Concours, where no independent journalists were allowed to drive the car. So the car's warm welcome must have been based purely on its potential, rather than its actuality.

Santa Monica itself may have contributed to the hype, as Automotive News points...

Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid has already won flocks of followers thanks to its stunning looks and powerful stat sheet, so it should be no surprise that the opening of the brand's Santa Monica dealership was met with a full house of guests and fans. The car itself has yet to come to production reality, and so far its only real-world test was on the track at Laguna Seca during the Pebble Beach Concours, where no independent journalists were allowed to drive the car. So the car's warm welcome must have been based purely on its potential, rather than its actuality. Santa Monica itself may have contributed to the hype, as Automotive News points out. Long known amongst Californians for its forward-looking--if often oddball--take on life, the city has embraced hybrid and green technology like few others. Many of the 200 or so guests in attendance were among the more than 1,300 people that have place pre-orders for the car effectively sight unseen. The dealership is among the first crop of 32 "Eco-facility" dealers in the U.S., so it's appropriate that it should be located in granola-crunching Santa Monica. The building itself was once a Lexus dealership that has now been retasked to Fisker's uses. Opening the dealership now is mainly a mode of marketing, as no actual sales will be happening for the next several months, though pre-orders will certainly continue to be taken. Fisker's Karma is planned for production by Valmet in Finland to start later this year, followed shortly by retail sales. The company has recently started work on a plant in Delaware as well, to build the brand's next car, which remains unannounced in any detail. The Karma will cost $87,900 when it does hit the street, powered by 408-horsepower and 959 pound-feet of electric-motor torque. [Auto News -- sub. req.] Read More

Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid electric sports sedan recently made its public driving debut on the curves and hills of Laguna Seca, and now the company has secured over half a billion in U.S. Department of Energy funding to build plug-in hybrids right here in the U.S.

The $528 million in loans secured today will go to the construction of Project NINA, which Fisker says will "see the design, engineering and assembly of Fisker Automotive's next-generation plug-in hybrids." The next-gen car will be an as-yet unnamed car targeting a $39,900 price tag, or about half of the expected $87,900 price of the Karma. Fisker confirmed the third, low-cost...

Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid electric sports sedan recently made its public driving debut on the curves and hills of Laguna Seca, and now the company has secured over half a billion in U.S. Department of Energy funding to build plug-in hybrids right here in the U.S. The $528 million in loans secured today will go to the construction of Project NINA, which Fisker says will "see the design, engineering and assembly of Fisker Automotive's next-generation plug-in hybrids." The next-gen car will be an as-yet unnamed car targeting a $39,900 price tag, or about half of the expected $87,900 price of the Karma. Fisker confirmed the third, low-cost model was under development back in May. The decision to build the new model in the U.S. is a change from the Karma's construction, which will be handled by Valmet in Finland, though the wording of Fisker's press release leaves the door open for manufacturing of components to be done outside the U.S. with only final assembly taking place in North America. Powered by a 22.6 kilowatt-hour battery pack, a 2.0-liter turbocharged GM Ecotec generator engine and 408 horsepower from two electric motors, the Fisker Karma is the most luxury- and performance-oriented plug-in hybrid sedan drawing near to production, though Mercedes-Benz's recently-announced S500 plug-in hybrid concept will give it a run for its money if it sees production. Recent testing by the SAE--by no means official or equivalent to EPA testing--found the Karma capable of a 67 mpg combined rating. To hear Henrik Fisker, CEO and founder of the company, talk about the loan, the company's leadership in the segment and see the car on-track at Laguna Seca, check out the video below. Read More

It hit the track and drove in public for the first time just last month at Laguna Seca during the Pebble Beach Concours, and now Fisker Automotive has released the first fuel efficiency figures for its upcoming Karma luxury plug-in hybrid sedan. The figures are not your typical EPA estimates, however, but results from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

The SAE ratings say the Fisker Karma is good for 67 mpg - an impressive result, especially given the Karma's rather un-hybrid-like six-second 0-60 mph time, 403 horsepower and luxury/sport design. The Karma is also clean, emititng just 83 grams of CO2 per kilometer traveled.

“The ...

It hit the track and drove in public for the first time just last month at Laguna Seca during the Pebble Beach Concours, and now Fisker Automotive has released the first fuel efficiency figures for its upcoming Karma luxury plug-in hybrid sedan. The figures are not your typical EPA estimates, however, but results from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The SAE ratings say the Fisker Karma is good for 67 mpg - an impressive result, especially given the Karma's rather un-hybrid-like six-second 0-60 mph time, 403 horsepower and luxury/sport design. The Karma is also clean, emititng just 83 grams of CO2 per kilometer traveled. “The Fisker Karma is the future of driving,” said Henrik Fisker, CEO. “It proves we can drive environmentally responsible cars without sacrificing the emotional things that made us fall in love with cars in the first place.” But is there more to the story? Of course there is. While it could cost just 3 cents per mile to run the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid - under near-ideal circumstances - the reality is that it will depend on how you use it. Drive it in performance mode with your foot to the floor, and you'll see considerably less efficiency. Plug it in everywhere you go and rarely dip into the gasoline-powered generator's reserve and you'll see considerably more. As John Voelcker at Green Car Reports points out, there are a lot of issues with determining the fuel efficiency rating of series hybrids. "Performance mode" is a particular killer in the Karma, since it sucks down the relatively efficient grid-derived battery electricity and brings on the need for the dino-juice-powered generator sooner. The more efficient "Stealth" mode lets the car operate closer to its full potential, though Fisker sees a mixture of the two modes as the most "real world" scenario for owners of the Karma. Under such conditions, Fisker estimates the Karma's fuel costs at about 7 cents per mile. Another important thing to keep in mind is that the SAE methods do not duplicate the EPA's, so the rating the government issues may also differ. But whatever the final number the Karma ends up wearing in its window, it's impressive to see a vehicle with the Karma's capabilities - at least on paper - coming to production. [Fisker] Read More

Fisker Automotive's long awaited plug-in hybrid Karma sedan had previously only ever been seen in its complete production-ready form in photographs and at car shows, but for the first time onlookers got to see the luxury hybrid stretch its legs during its public driving debut at this year's Monterey Historic Automobile Races, held during the Pebble Beach Concours D’ Elegance.

The Karma was a quickly-realized product by any standard, with Fisker taking just 19 months to take the car from concept to reality. Fisker will also exhibited its new hardtop convertible concept, the Karma Sunset, which recently won a SEAMO award for Concept Car of...

Fisker Automotive's long awaited plug-in hybrid Karma sedan had previously only ever been seen in its complete production-ready form in photographs and at car shows, but for the first time onlookers got to see the luxury hybrid stretch its legs during its public driving debut at this year's Monterey Historic Automobile Races, held during the Pebble Beach Concours D’ Elegance. The Karma was a quickly-realized product by any standard, with Fisker taking just 19 months to take the car from concept to reality. Fisker will also exhibited its new hardtop convertible concept, the Karma Sunset, which recently won a SEAMO award for Concept Car of the Year. The public drive debut saw the Fisker Karma take to the legendary 11-turn Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca course, where onlookers got to see the capabilities of the two 201-horsepower electric motors that power the car as it maneuvered around the track. Now you, too, can see the car in action thanks to the video below. For those interested in paying the $87,500 purchase price for the sleek Fisker Karma, the waiting list is expected to be lengthy, with Fisker's CEO Henrik Fisker claiming that the entire production run has been sold out until mid-2010. For full details on the car's production, drivetrain and availability, check out our previous story by clicking here. Read More

While big brand automakers like Toyota and General Motors are still more than a year away from launching their respective plug-in hybrid vehicles, small start-ups such as California's Fisker Automotive intends on having its own plug-in hybrid on sale this November. The company today took a step closer to production reality of its Karma plug-in hybrid luxury saloon by signing a $10.2 million deal with Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. to supply the car's advanced plug-in hybrid system.

The deal calls for Quantum to supply its advanced Q-Drive powertrain for the Karma as well as the eventual Karma S convertible based on the ... While big brand automakers like Toyota and General Motors are still more than a year away from launching their respective plug-in hybrid vehicles, small start-ups such as California's Fisker Automotive intends on having its own plug-in hybrid on sale this November. The company today took a step closer to production reality of its Karma plug-in hybrid luxury saloon by signing a $10.2 million deal with Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. to supply the car's advanced plug-in hybrid system. The deal calls for Quantum to supply its advanced Q-Drive powertrain for the Karma as well as the eventual Karma S convertible based on the concept car of the same name unveiled earlier this year. Other partners involved in the Karma's gestation include General Motors, which will supply a 260hp 2.0L Ecotec four-cylinder engine to charge up the car's batteries, as well Finland's Valmet, which is contracted to manufacture the car. The new Q-Drive powertrain will give the Karma an all-electric range of 50 miles (80km). After the all-electric 50 miles, the petrol-powered, direct-injected Ecotec engine turns a generator to charge a lithium-ion battery. With this balance of electric and petrol power, Fisker estimates that most Karma drivers who charge the vehicle overnight and commute less than 50 miles per day will be able to achieve an average fuel economy of 100mpg (2.4L/100km) per year. There is also a roof-mounted solar panel for additional charge capacity of 0.5kWh per day. That's just a drop in the bucket of the 22.6kWh battery pack that the Karma is fitted with, however. The solar panel system can operate in any of three modes: auto, climate, and charging. When in climate, the power from the solar array is directed to the climate control system. Charging mode sends the sun's power directly to the batteries, and Auto mode, which is the default setting at power-on, allows the computer to select which is optimal based on current usage. Drive comes from two electric motors with a combined output of 408hp (300kW) and a monstrous 959ft-lb (1,300Nm) of torque, which is enough to send the vehicle to a top speed of 125mph and push it from 0-60mph in just 5.8 seconds. Those are impressive figures considering the 4,560lb (2,070kg) curb weight of the car. The vehicle also features two modes: stealth and sport. In stealth mode, which is the Fisker name for electric-only mode, the car has a max speed of 95mph, while in sport mode the car's internal combustion engine joins in and takes the top speed up to the 125mph mark. A third mode, called HEV, for hybrid electric vehicle, operates in a similar manner to a typical 'strong' hybrid: cutting the engine during deceleration, shutting the engine down at a stop, and using auto-start and electric take-off capabilities. Yearly volume is anticipated to reach 15,000 cars per year, with half of these expected to be sold in Europe. The first cars will be delivered to customers in the U.S. this November, with pricing starting at $87,900.2009 Fisker Karma plug-in hybridFisker Karma plug-in hybrid convertible Read More

Concept cars are not the lifeblood of the industry, but they often determine what that lifeblood will look like 5-10 years down the road. This year, the Cadillac Converj, Fisker Karma Sunset and Volkswagen Bluesport Roadster were each pegged as the best in their respective categories by the Southeast Automotive Media Organization (SEAMO).

The Cadillac Converj took the honors for 2009 Specialty Concept Vehicle of the Year, slotting into that category on the back of its Chevrolet-Volt-inspired extended-range electric powertrain.

Fisker's gorgeous Karma Sunset Concept won the 2009 Production Preview Vehicle of the Year for its near-ready... Concept cars are not the lifeblood of the industry, but they often determine what that lifeblood will look like 5-10 years down the road. This year, the Cadillac Converj, Fisker Karma Sunset and Volkswagen Bluesport Roadster were each pegged as the best in their respective categories by the Southeast Automotive Media Organization (SEAMO). The Cadillac Converj took the honors for 2009 Specialty Concept Vehicle of the Year, slotting into that category on the back of its Chevrolet-Volt-inspired extended-range electric powertrain. Fisker's gorgeous Karma Sunset Concept won the 2009 Production Preview Vehicle of the Year for its near-ready design and flawless styling. "A company run by a designer should have beautiful cars, concepts and prototypes. Henrik Fisker's firm certainly does the Fisker Karma Sunset is just drop dead gorgeous," said SEAMO juror Michael Bettencourt. Finally, the Volkswagen Bluesport Roadster Concept took home the overall 2009 Concept Car of the Year award for its efficient, fun and stylish packaging - plus a diesel drivetrain. The SEAMO North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards have been handed out for the past 8 years, recognizing the most innovative and attractive concept vehicles of the preceding year.2009 Volkswagen Bluesport roadster concept2009 Cadillac Converj plug-in hybrid coupe conceptFisker Karma plug-in hybrid convertible Read More