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 car. 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. A lithium-ion battery pack powers an electric motor that turns 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 can average 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.
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 doesnt take up cabin or trunk space. The Fisker uses an abundance of strong lightweight materials is 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? Weve 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? Fisker says the Karma will go into production in 2010.
