2009 Fisker Karma

Fisker Automotive, Inc., an American car company specializing in environmentally friendly, premium sports car company, unveiled its first production car, the Fisker Karma, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

The Fisker Karma is a four-door plug-in hybrid premium sports sedan that will be priced starting at $80,000. The first deliveries will commence in the 4th quarter of 2009 with annual production projected to reach 15,000 cars.

The car was named Karma because the car allows consumers to practice good Karma, driving a car that is environmentally friendly without sacrificing the extreme comfort and style of the luxury automobile category.

The Q DRIVE plug-in hybrid technology that was developed by Quantum Technologies exclusively for Fisker Automotive consists of a small gasoline engine that turns the generator, which charges the lithium ion battery pack, powering the electric motor and turning the rear wheels.

The hybrid technology allows the car to be driven emission free for up to 50 miles a day provided the car is charged every evening. If consumers follow this daily routine, they will only need to fuel the car only once a year.

The Karma was designed in such a way the battery pack is located at the center of the vehicle between the two axles, providing optimal vehicle driving dynamics, maximum safety, and proportionate design.

From the press release, the Karma’s luxurious interior features four individual first class seats, a modern and sophisticated interior design and a spacious luggage capacity that can fit two golf bags and luggage in the trunk. Other features include:

Electronic Aides: Navigation system, DVD system incorporated into seat backs and state-of-the art push button controls
Seating Comfort: Four individual “first class” seats
Driving Modes: The driver will be able to select between two modes of driving. The first mode is “Stealth Drive”, which is the quiet economy mode for optimal relaxed and efficient driving. By flipping the second paddle behind the steering wheel, the car will switch to “Sport Drive”, which will access the full power of the vehicle.
At the exterior, the Fisker Karma features structure and body panels that will be made of aluminum to keep the overall vehicle weight as low as possible, a new drive train configuration that will provide optimal weight distribution, low and wide stance, self-contained climate control, an option to purchase a set of solar panels for their roofs or garages where they can generate electricity during the day to charge the car overnight. Other features of the exterior from the press release include:

Exterior Panels: Extensive use of lightweight materials used for optimal weight and driving dynamics
Solar Panel Roof: The Karma will offer self-contained climate control, as consumers will have the option to purchase a full length solar roof that will help charge the car and provide cooling for the interior cabin while the car is parked
Plug-In Configuration: Small bonnet “doors” for easy charging and engine fluids refill
22-inch lightweight alloy wheels
LED tail-lamps
Driver visibility: Front fenders visible with a view of the long hood