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New For 2010

The Fisker Karma aims to be a green-conscious supercar.  A four-door sedan with an exotic car profile, its designers say the Karma will run on electric power all the way to its electronically-limited top speed of 125 mph, and boast a 0-to-60 time of less than six seconds. If, that is, the Karma is succesfully built. 

The man behind the car has a track record.  Henrik Fisker is the designer who penned some of the world's most beautiful cars -- the designer behind the BMW Z8, for instance, and the Aston Martin DB9. Now, he hopes to bring the world an advanced green supercar under his own name.

The Karma will reportedly carry a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, used only to recharge the car's batteries when they are depleted to a pre-set threshold. The combination, the company says, is good for more than 100 miles per gallon. 

Fisker has begun accepting pre-orders for the car, and contracted with a Finnish factory to build it.  Delivery is expected to begin in the second half of 2010.

What the Auto Press Says

The automotive press admires the styling of the Fisker Karma, which would look at home in the stable of any Italian supercar builder. The powertrain is another question entirely - no one outside the company has test driven a Karma. The company has made some big promises for the car, and since the Karma is Fisker's first wheels-up design, no one knows what to expect.

The car has been making the rounds of the auto show circuit for several years without a production model made available for testing. We should learn more as the anticipated delivery date nears. In the meantime, Fisker has unveiled a stunning convertible version, the Karma Sunset, which may reach production in 2011.

• "Forget the Prius, Hollywood. Now there's a hybrid sedan promising star-quality 'eco-chic' style, size, luxury and performance. The $80,000 Karma is conspicuous consumption with a conscience." - Consumer Guide
• "On styling alone, the $87,900 Karma seems a steal. It looks like an Italian GT design study; the headlights are pure Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, while the rest could double for a Maserati GranTurismo or an Alfa Romeo 8C" - Motor Trend
• "The powertrain is designed to have two modes of operation: stealth and sport. In stealth mode, it is a pure electric vehicle with a large battery pack and electric motor powering the rear wheels. The plug-in has a range of 50 miles and has zero emissions, the company says. Switching to sport mode utilizes a small (about 2.0 liters) 250-hp internal-combustion engine which drives a generator, charging the car's batteries and extending the range to a claimed 620 miles. In this conventional gas-powered mode, top speed is said to be 125 mph." - Car and Driver
• "The company currently puts the performance at 5.8 seconds 0-60 mph with a top speed of 125 mph (continuous)." -- Jalopnik
• "The Karma will feature speakers - both inside and out - that will simulate a sound "like something between a Formula One car and a jet plane." The feature is being implemented for pedestrian safety and added novelty." - Left Lane News
• "Fisker Automotive has unveiled the production version of its super-luxe Karma plug-in hybrid, and as gorgeous as it is, it's nothing compared to the convertible parked next to it.  The Karma S - for Sunset - concept that debuted at the Detroit auto show shares its gas-electric drivetrain with the Karma sedan but wraps it in an even sleeker two-door body that could see production within two years."-- Wired

Key Details

The Fisker Karma uses a pair of 150 kW electric motors putting out a combined 403 horsepower. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, sourced from General Motors, adds another 265 horsepower. 

In "stealth" mode, the electric motors alone power the car. The gasoline engine ignites only to recharge the car's batteries in stealth mode. The Karma is said to be no slouch even in its supposedly relaxed driving mode. The company claims a 0-60 time of just over seven seconds in stealth mode.  The car will reportedly travel up to 50 miles on battery power alone - meaning that many owners would use no gasoline in an average day.

In "sport" mode, the Karma sends power from both its electric and gasoline powerplants to the wheels, accessing maximum performance.

The car uses lithium-ion batteries, which can be recharged from a standard household outlet, though total charging time is not clear.  The car's roof is also covered in a solar cell that helps to recharge the batteries.

Inside, the car seats four in ultra-luxury conditions. The company claims that all of the wood used as trim in the Karma's cabin in sourced from fallen trees. Leather is sourced "from a partner with a 100% sustainable manufacturing strategy that includes ‘Happy Cow' policies," according to Fisker's press materials. For those who would prefer an animal-free alternative, the company will upholster the car using a bamboo-derived textile as an option.