Fisker plans lower-cost model, may compete with Chevy Volt and Tesla Model S
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma
It's probably a bit premature to be talking about future models from Fisker, considering the automaker's plug-in Karma and Karma S have yet to hit the market, but that's never stopped us before, right? According to Russell Datz, head PR man at Fisker Automotive, "One of the future products we have is something that is significantly less than what will be on the market first," though it may still "be a step above" the Chevy Volt and Tesla Model S.
That's not a ton of information to go by, unfortunately. The Chevy Volt is expected to come in around $40K or so in late 2010 when it's finally released (hopefully), and the Tesla Model S will cost at least $10K more than that. For comparison, the Fisker Karma will carry a starting sticker of $87,900. In other words, there's plenty of room between the base price of a Volt and the base price of a Karma. Where the lower-cost model from Fisker would fall in that range is anybody's guess.
Gallery: Fisker Karma
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RamblinReck89 5:41PM (4/09/2009)
That grille. It's gotta go.
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Adam Marcello 6:34PM (4/09/2009)
The more I look at it the more I like the car, grill and all.
JerryB 11:28PM (4/09/2009)
Ditto. It looks like an automotive incarnation of the Cheshire Cat
Doug A. 5:50PM (4/09/2009)
Why is the Tesla even mentioned? It's an all electric, unlike the VOLT or the Fisker.
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parry3188 5:55PM (4/09/2009)
I love how Fisker is always talking trash about Tesla and yet...they haven't even come close to delivering a single vehicle to a single customer.
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The Other Bob 6:00PM (4/09/2009)
Do they even have a factory yet? If so, where?
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chops 6:50PM (4/09/2009)
Yes, they have a factory (valmet automotive) and it happens to be the same one in which the Boxter is assembled. You must remember, Fisker is not only responsible for iconic designs, but is a true industry insider vs. someone who decided to toss in millions on a "the car I always wanted to build but know nothing about how to build, market, establish a dealer network or warranty program" kind-of guy. That's my take, anyway.
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Marc-O 6:52PM (4/09/2009)
OK, I'm not sure I understand.
As it is, and going off of Fisker's data on the car, it's already got pretty tepid performance - from the looks of the car and the power figures on paper, you would expect something much sportier than the beefy 0-60 numbers they've reported so far. You pay for a nice body (grill excepted) and decent technology, but you're really not getting a lot of car for $90K. So how are they going to offer a lower-end, cheaper model that will compete with, say, the Model S, when their current "upscale" offering already can't ? And why are they already talking about a new model when they haven't produced a single car yet ? So many questions and things not really making sense to me.
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ed 9:39PM (4/09/2009)
Let me guess, you can't see why anyone would buy an Aston Martin V8 Vantage either when a Lancer Evo would do. I mean, why would Aston Martin want to make a low cost sports car when the DB9 has four wheels only goes 0-60 in 4.8 seconds, which isn't a whole lot more than the Evo? Why bother competing with a lower cost model? I mean, all you get is better looks and decent build quality....er...wait
Durrr. Poor man's logic fails again!
Marc-O 10:40PM (4/09/2009)
Well, Ed, you guessed wrong. I'd pick an Evo over an Aston, huh ? Ain't you cute with your funny assumptions. And either your "rich man's logic" is failing you, or my whole point went well over your head.
They're not talking about making a cheaper, more fun sportscar, they're talking about making a cheaper sedan to "compete" with the Volt and Model S. My point is, their current, upscale $90K offering already isn't very competitive, other than in the design department.
Also, are you implying that Tesla = poor build quality ? Have you ever sat in a Roadster ? I guess Lotus doesn't know how to build rolling chassis, over in Hethel, and Tesla techs don't know how to outfit them... Right ?
Carry on with the douchebaggery, I know there isn't anything I could say that would make you pause and reflect on how you're coming across...
chuck 12:45AM (4/10/2009)
Marc-O, I'm afraid you're way off on this one. It's a steal when compared with other cars in the class. If anything, a good conventional comparison car for the Karma should be the Maserati Quattroporte. The Karma is 0.7 seconds slower 0-60, gets infinitely better milage when used for general commuting (considering a 50 mile all-electric range), at least 300% better gas mileage for long trips (40 compared to 12), and is $30K cheaper. All that in a package that IMHO is way sexier than the Maserati.
Marc-O 5:36PM (4/10/2009)
Chuck, way off from what exactly ?
What you're talking about is exactly my point. I'm talking about overall performance, not efficiency. The Karma is supposed to be an efficient sports sedan - your comparing to the Quattroporte is right, at least in terms of performance. My point is that the QP makes that 0-60 time with 400hp, and the Karma with a total power (as per Fisker's numbers) of 260 + 201 + 201 = 662hp, and massive torque (most of it available from 0 RPM). That would indicate that the Fisker is a lot heavier than the QP, and that will directly translate into its dynamic characteristics. Tesla said before that their target competition is along the lines of the QP with the Model S. So, how could a cheaper, lower-performing Fisker compete with the Model S if the Karma already can't compare well to the car (the Maseratti) which both companies are currently gunning to compete with ? Is that more clear to you ?
Michael 7:20PM (4/09/2009)
I love the grill.
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Tomac 7:36PM (4/09/2009)
Where this thing manages not to be hideous it is simply derivative. I completely fail to understand the praise Fisker gets for such styling. I wouldn't buy it even if it were cost-competitive with a Mustang. Henrik may have put his talents to good effect at Aston, but he's not doing it here.
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Abe 8:01PM (4/09/2009)
Tesla and Fisker are the future of the American auto industry, their cars are more advanced and more stylish than %90 of what GM, Ford and Chrysler make. They have fresh new thinking and direction. If the US Government is truly concerned about saving the US auto industry and making America energy independent and making all the so-called "change" they keep talking about, it should invest heavily in companies like Tesla and Fisker and push for their development and growth.
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The Other Bob 6:32AM (4/10/2009)
Considering Tesla is having financial problems and both companies cars cost about $90,000, I sure hope it's not the future of cars in America.
Max 8:04PM (4/09/2009)
You kidding, this car is absolutely 100% gorgeous! If you can't see that, I assume you re driving an Aztec hmm?
And now that it has an updated grille, it looks even more beautiful! Good job fisker, now make it available!
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Richard S. 11:13PM (4/12/2009)
Meet America's new Big 3: Fisker, Tesla and Ford.
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