2010 Fisker Karma: Testing and Taking Orders
Plug-in hybrid sedan is on track to go on sale in the fall of 2009.
By KAMRAN AHMED
These latest shots—provided, ahem, by Fisker itself—of the Fisker Karma prototype undergoing testing on a track in California show that the company is on schedule to put this gorgeous plug-in sedan into production.
Fisker says it has more than 500 confirmed orders, coming in at a rate of about 50 per week since the Karma's debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. Deliveries are slated to begin in the fall of 2009 with Premium Edition vehicles. Fisker Automotive expects production to peak at 1250 vehicles per month by late 2010.
It's easy to see through the light camo that the Karma has stayed true to the concept shown in Detroit. This is not surprising as that design was already signed-off on prior to its auto show debut.
Henrik Fisker has a history of designing stunning cars, including the Aston Martin V-8 Vantage, the BMW Z8, and the upcoming Artega GT. The Karma shows he has not lost his touch.
No announcements have thus far been made regarding which company will be subcontracted to manufacture the Karma. Magna has already been contracted by Aston Martin to manufacture the upcoming Rapide sedan; it would make for an interesting workplace if the contract assembler were to build the two competitors.
One decision Fisker has made is that Quantum Technologies will provide the Karma's "Q drive," drawing on the supplier's experience with hybrids. 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. In stealth mode it is limited to 95 mph.
While the drivetrain undergoes testing, much of it to fine-tune battery software management, another team of engineers is working to ensure the car will meet federal crash-test requirements with its aluminum space frame designed to increase torsional rigidity while reducing weight. The car will also have composite and aluminum body panels.
The Karma will face tough competition not only from coupelike sedans such as the Jaguar XF and Mercedes-Benz CLS, but also from more conventional sedans such as the BMW 5-series and Audi A6. The Fisker sets itself apart in offering a combination of exclusivity and eco-friendliness.
The whole Karma project has an air of feasibility at the hand of Henrik Fisker, and if—that's a big if—the sedan can meet the company's claimed range and performance for $80,000, it could indeed prove not only groundbreaking, but also successful.