Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green
Valmet to manufacture Fisker Karma
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma.
The Fisker Karma has the looks of a luxury vehicle, the plug-in technology everyone craves, and now it has a plant to be built. According to Fisker, Valmet Automotive of Finland, which currently builds the Porsche Cayman and Boxster, will produce about 15,000 Karmas per year beginning in 2010, with North American sales will begin in fall 2009.
Fisker also released some performance numbers for the $80k sedan, and they're pretty impressive. Thanks to lithium ion batteries, owners can expect to go 50 miles without using a single drop of gasoline, and the overall range of the Karma is a Volt-like 350 miles. The Karma will have a top speed of 125 mph, and a 0-60 time of about 5.8 seconds. With the price of gas rising by the day, by the end of 2009 a 100 mpg plug-in hybrid could be a steal, even at $80k.
Gallery: Fisker Karma
[Source: CNET]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BlackCanary 11:41AM (7/15/2008)
So when GM has a $40K plug in AB says it is a huge flop but when Fisker makes a $80K plug in AB says it is a steal? WTF
Anyway, good to see the Fisker is going into production. The more EVs and Plugins that are made the better the tech will develop.
Good Luck Fisker
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montoym 7:32PM (7/15/2008)
LOL, I was going to say the very same thing.
I wondered how long it would be before someone would mention how the $40K Volt is overpriced while the $80K Karma is a steal when both have nearly identical ranges.
SO, when's someone going to pan it for not having a 600+ mile range??
LMBVette 11:46AM (7/15/2008)
I'll believe this when I see it....the same goes for Tesla.
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Pdexter 12:07PM (7/15/2008)
Huh i was sure that Valmet had it after Porche(previously Saab) decided to leave after 2012, but it seems they can continue in Uusikaupunki even after Porche!
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DCragtop 12:12PM (7/15/2008)
Looks like the jokers ride. I'd still take it.
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jcar302 12:32PM (7/15/2008)
What i don't understand is how they calculate the range of these cars, that goes for the volt too.
50 miles on electric alone, then whats the efficiency of it with gasoline?
I mean after 50 miles do you run on gas, and it charges the batteries to get you more miles?
They never seem to mention the size of the gas tank when they are talking about range, the size of the tank makes all the difference in the mpg rating.
For god sake, just tell me how much gas i'll have to buy to go 350 miles. Telling me 50 miles on electric means nothing to my wallet if the gas tank is 30 gallons.
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doc b 12:48PM (7/15/2008)
Hooray!!
I reserved one of these on the off chance that it would not be vaporware. About 3 months ago I would have said 25% chance of actually being produced. I have to bump that number all the way up to 60-70% now.
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skiwithme 2:00PM (7/15/2008)
you sufficient capital having karma buying on autoblog everyone about it telling possibly in future in my opinion one of the most interesting cars having lucky pig scum!
Pacman 2:18PM (7/15/2008)
Lucky pig scum! I want a t-shirt with that on it!
BlackCanary 2:21PM (7/15/2008)
Yes! A "Lucky Pig Scum" t-shirt would be the shiznit.
Sorin 12:57PM (7/15/2008)
Fisker has already announced several branches in Europe, Italy, Norway and Sweden and the price for Karma will be 80,000 dollars in the United States. Nice car but too damn expensive. Grrrrrr
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tankd0g 1:07PM (7/15/2008)
Volt-like. You got that right. If it does what they say it will be a bargin compared to the Tesla Roadster, I guess. And compared to an as yet unavailable at any price Volt, sure. Compared to a currently available Prius with a currently available plug in conversion, not quite. But that's not the point of these cars is it, they are for show, not saving money.
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1337 2:10PM (7/15/2008)
Bangle'd!
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Rocketboy 2:18PM (7/15/2008)
$80k.. that's a heck of a lot for an electric mustache ride.
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RITmusic2k 4:16PM (7/15/2008)
I was really hoping to be the one to make a mustache joke...
...but you did it better anyway. Kudos!
larry 11:54PM (7/15/2008)
kind of reminds me of Cesar Romero,the Joker in the Batman-TV show...
Same BAt-Time, Same Bat Channel
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Polpa di Pomodoro 12:51PM (7/16/2008)
In terms of looks, I'd choose Karma any day over Volt, and also over Tesla roadster. Also the price (if it stays at $80K) is better and since it is a hybrid, there is no problem with range. So, I can understand why Tesla went sour grapes over Karma.
Fisker already did some design work for Tesla's WhiteStar, so I would not be surprised if there will later be some cheaper Volt-ish models. In fact, mr. Fisker has already mentioned that on several occasions.
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