What is it?
The Karma is a large, low, four-door luxury hybrid, with a very long hood, and sweeping, creased fenders. The car was designed by Heinrich Fisker, the former designer of Aston Martins and the BMW Z8. The Karma is an all-new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle developed in conjunction with Quantum Fuel Systems, a large plug-in hybrid conversion company. It uses a series hybrid drive system, with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine driving an electric generator, which charges a very large lithium-ion battery pack housed under the cabin-length center console. The battery pack, in turn, powers an electric motor behind the rear seat, which drives the rear wheels. Fisker claims the car can go 50 miles on electric power before starting the electric motor in "stealth" electric mode. A sport mode allows the gas engine to run all the time for maximum power.
What is new or notable:
If Fisker manages to sell these by the end of 2009, they could be the first plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on the road. At a target of $80,000, it will also be by far the most expensive hybrid on the market.
CR's Take: This slick, low slung four-door coupe is a plug-in hybrid that might add a measure of good karma and clean conscience to those who can afford an $85,000 car. It promises to be fast, clean and quiet. If the EV mode is too quiet, the "Sport: mode is said to be able to mimic the sound of a Formula 1 race car. While this rear-wheel drive model's four-cylinder engine is up front, there is no driveshaft to connect power to the rear wheels. Propulsion will come solely from the rear mounted electric motor, while the motor will be only used to charge the batteries.
When will it be available?
Fall 2009.
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