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What is it? Fisker is a small, new automaker specializing in high-performance luxury vehicles using green technologies. The Karma is their luxury plug-in hybrid sports sedan. It is a fairly large car, with sweeping lines, space for four people, a very long hood and a short trunk. Beneath that sinewy exterior is a plug-in gas/electric powertrain, combining a 2.4-liter, turbocharged GM Ecotec four-cylinder engine, a lithium-ion battery pack powering two electric motors driving the rear wheels. Flip a switch to sport mode and the gasoline engine kicks in to add more boost. Fisker claims a 0-to 60-mph sprint time of less than six seconds and that average fuel economy can reach 100 mpg. Moreover, Fisker says that if you drive less than 50 miles per day, youd have to fill the gas tank only once per year.
Pricing has been set at $87,900, and Fisker claims to have 1300 orders in hand.
What's new or notable? It takes several hours to recharge the battery using house current, but the gasoline engine provides some recharging as well as motive power while you drive. Additional charging comes from regenerative braking. The lithium-ion battery pack is placed in the center of the car and between the axles, so it doesn't take up cabin or trunk space. The Fisker uses an aluminum spaceframe and other strong, lightweight materials. Plans are for the car to be built in Finland.
CR's take: The plush and well-appointed interior supports the notion that this is an exotic $100,000-plus sports car, but will the company deliver on such grand powertrain promises? We've also seen many promising new car companies, like Bricklin and DeLorean, fail and even the electric-powered Tesla sports car has produced a lot more excuses and delays than real vehicles.
When will it be available? Late 2009.
Consumer Reports New cars: A to Z
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