One of the highlights of this year’s Detroit Auto Show is a new plug-in hybrid four-door coupe from California’s Fisker Coachbuild. The new car is called the Karma and it sports advanced technologies such as a lithium-ion battery array, aluminum construction and varying driving modes dubbed ‘Stealth’ and ‘Sport’ modes.
Developed exclusively for Fisker by Quantum Technologies, is a new Q-DRIVE plug-in hybrid powertrain that features in the Karma. The set-up features a small petrol engine turning a generator to power the car’s lithium-ion battery pack. The technology will be used to power future derivatives under the Fisker brand. Regenerative braking will be employed to regain power otherwise lost from braking, while an optional solar roof will charge the battery and maintain partly self-contained climate control when parked.
The new Karma offers up to 50 miles of electric-only driving and a claimed top speed of more than 125mph. The 0-60mph takes just six seconds. Its sleek body, the result of an all-new chassis built specifically for the development of the new powertrain, places the battery pack in the centre of the vehicle - improving weight distribution and dynamics.
The Karma will be going into full production unchanged, with first deliveries starting in the last quarter of 2009.
Reader Comments
Mon Jan 14 2008 4:43 PM
chris says
last quarter of 09? that leaves 20 months for them to push back the schedule. obviously no stats on the engine, tank size, range... the things that are of greatest concern with these new vehicles...
looks nice,.. but a little too flashy for what i was hoping from the designer of the modern aston line. then again fisker has had some pretty flamboyant skinning jobs on their other models. should have seen this coming. something a little more elegant would be nice for an eco car. it doesnt have to LOOK aggressive too. i was hoping for a 100mpg DBS.
Mon Jan 21 2008 11:10 PM
mbm says
He needs that much time to pass crash testing, government regulations, etc. Building cars is not easy. Figure at least 18 months to go through all the required steps to bring it to market.
There are lots of stats... just not in the story above... Range is about 620 miles at about 100mpg.. so figure 6 gallon tank. Engine is a small four cylinder that drives a large generator to charge the Lithium-Ion battery pack - it does not drive the wheels.
As far as the design. I think it looks great... He had to do something different and edgy... something that takes advantage of the packaging of the hybrid. It is beautiful and pushes car design forward.
However, the interior needs a lot of work...
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