Fisker Karma

Fisker Karma is ‘the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle’

Fisker Automotive commenced a two-month tour in April 2010 to introduce its new car, the Fisker Karma, to potential customers in 42 American and Canadian cities.

Dubbed by Fisker as ‘the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)’, the Karma ‘combines world-class luxury and sports car-like performance with industry-leading economy and zero tailpipe emissions’. The four-seat sports saloon was designed by Henrik Fisker, the company’s CEO, who was also responsible for the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage.

With 403hp, the Karma can reach 60mph in six seconds and a top speed of 125mph. A fully-charged Karma burns no fuel for the first 50 miles. Beyond this, the petrol engine turns a generator to charge the lithium ion battery and the car operates as a normal hybrid vehicle. The car has a total range of 300 miles. This balance of electric and petrol range makes it entirely possible that Karma drivers who charge their car overnight and commute less than 50 miles a day will achieve an average fuel economy of 100 mpg (2.4L/100km) per year.

The Karma lead-in price will be $87,400 but most buyers will be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit plus additional state incentives. Customer deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter 2011. Production is anticipated to be 15,000 vehicles annually.

The Karma concept was created by two independent companies, Fisker Coachbuild and Quantum Technologies, who announced this joint venture partnership in September 2007. Fisker Coachbuild provides exclusive design services for Fisker Automotive while Quantum Technologies provides the car’s unique Q-drive series-hybrid powertrain consisting of a 2.0-litre turbocharged ecotec engine/generator set, a lithium-ion battery pack from A123 Systems, and a rear-mounted 403hp traction motor assembly.

Funding secured for Karma and Project NINA

In January, 2010, Fisker announced that it had secured access to $115.3 million in private equity funding to develop plug-in hybrid cars. This funding was necessary for Fisker Automotive to access a $528.7 million U.S. Department of Energy conditional loan that will help speed completion of the Karma and fund the development of lower-cost plug-in hybrid technology for a second, family car codenamed Project NINA, priced from $40,000. Project NINA is expected to be built in Wilmington, Delaware at a former General Motors assembly plant starting in 2012.

Fisker has not announced any plans to bring the Karma to the UK.