2012 Fisker Karma at LA Auto Show | Car Advice

Car Advice
  • Home
  • »  2012 Fisker Karma at LA Auto Show

2012 Fisker Karma at LA Auto Show

By Mark Hacking |

Any number of manufacturers is capable of producing an ultra-desirable hybrid car—as long it’s a concept car. But niche manufacturer Fisker Automotive is on the verge of going to market with their Karma hybrid sedan, a gorgeous piece of metal with an impressive degree of eco-friendliness.

First unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the production version of the Fisker Karma features two electric motors that produce 150 kW each, as well as a 2.0-litre petrol engine used for recharging duties. Additionally, a solar-panel roof generates a bit of extra recharging capability, but will be mainly used to power the climate control system.

Other green aspects of the car include interior trim made of reclaimed wood salvaged from fires and lake bottoms, and leather seating that uses the entire cow hide, not just the unmarked bits. Inside and out, the Karma is automotive art, which makes sense when you consider that company CEO Henrik Fisker designed the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and BMW Z8, among others.

While the manufacturer is hesitant to release final performance figures for the Karma, some estimates are calling for an 80-km all-electric range, fuel consumption of 2.4 litres/100 km, a 0-100 km/h time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 201 km/h.


 

Related Articles

6

Fisker Atlantic: the new electric BMW 3-Series rival
The Fisker Atlantic has been unveiled at the 2012 New York motor show as the ambitious electric-car maker counters some negative publicity regarding its first model, the Karma. It’s still not easy being a start-up car manufacturer—particularly one in the field of alternative fuel.

2

Fisker Karma battery supplier A123 could struggle to fund recall: report
There are concerns the manufacturer who supplied defective battery packs for the Fisker Karma may not have the money to finance the vehicle’s recall. Deutsche Bank analyst Dan Galves says the estimated $55 million required by Massachusetts-based A123 Systems Inc. to fund the recall will have a “severe impact” on its cash reserves.

16

Fisker Karma breaks down during Consumer Reports test
US publication Consumer Reports, which tests all kinds of retail products from cars to toasters, found itself without wheels this week when its Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid test car died during speedometer calibration testing. Consumer Reports is unique in that it purchases all test products at retail level, as was the case with the Fisker...

24

Fisker Karma: Review
An exceptional car of the future for the here and now, the Fisker Karma is an outstanding achievement.

  • brent

    Really interesting styling – I can see bits of Maserati Granturismo and Aston One-77 mixed up in there.

  • David

    I know you all in Australia are a bit ahead of everyone else in regards to the timezone, but a whole year? I do believe the Fisker Karma is a 2011 model, if I am not mistaken.

  • Andrew

    All-electric drive coupled with petrol engine for generator duty seems to me like the way to go: it combines the ability to use electricity alone for short trips without compromising the range when required… So I was quite interested in Chevrolet Volt when information about it started to appear. But heck, this one looks a whole lot better! … mind you, it probably costs more as well.

    • Chris T.

      More than twice the price of the Volt, yes.

      More than twice the performance too though. :-)

      I have not put cash down on it but am eagerly awaiting the March-ish release, right about when I get back to the states from New Zealand.

      • Shak

        I guess that fact that a proper family car and an all out supercar can be made with this tech, is proof that this is probably the best way for liquid fuels and batteries to co-operate in the future. While hydrogen may be the ultimate alternative fuel, in the interim it looks as if E-REV’s will be the new way to go.

  • http://algerie.voiturecom.comL voiture algerie

    Really excellent design, avec if it looks a little bit like the BMW cars