Autoblog

REPORT: Fisker developing $39,000 plug-in hybrid

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Fisker, Electric

Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a report from earth2tech.com, Ray Lane, an investor with Kleiner Perkins, has let slip news that Fisker is developing a new plug-in hybrid automobile to slot below its planned Karma sedan with a base price of just $39,000. No indication is made whether that price would be before or after the $7,500 federal tax rebate it would likely qualify for.

Kleiner Perkins is one of the major investors in Fisker Automotive, so there's reason to believe Lane has knowledge of the inner workings at the young automaker. Earlier, company CEO Henrik Fisker said that the automaker was looking to the Department of Energy for a loan of an undetermined amount in order to build a lower-cost plug-in automobile.

We haven't recieved word that Fisker's DOE loan was approved, so we're not really sure where the funds to develop the new machine will come from. In any case, the Fisker Karma isn't slated to go on sale until late 2010, so the lower-cost PHEV very likely has quite a ways to go before it hits the pavement to do battle with the likes of the Chevy Volt. Thanks for the tip, Jon!

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: earth2tech]

REPORT: Fisker developing $39,000 plug-in hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker announces fuel economy estimate for Karma - 67.2 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 83 g/km

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Fisker, Luxury

Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

The miles per gallon rating of a vehicle that can get energy from an electrical outlet is a difficult thing to accurately calculate and get the public to accept. Just ask AFS Trinity, with their "150 mpg" SUVs, or GM with its 230 mpg number for the Chevy Volt. Still, it's valuable to have some sort of number to compare vehicles against one another, and Fisker Automotive has released the first such numbers for its Karma plug-in luxury hybrid: 3.5 liters per 100 kilometers (equivalent to 67.2 mpg U.S.) and CO2 emissions of just 83 grams per kilometer.

Fisker is basing these numbers on SAE methodology for measuring emissions for PHEVs. We're trying to confirm this with Fisker, but we think this means the J1711 methodology, about which you can read more here or in this PDF. (UPDATE: It's actually J2841) In any case, Fisker says that the Karma's CO2 emissions will be, on average, "less than that of today's cleanest production cars and 75 percent less than that of competing vehicles." If the company meets its ambitious goal of selling 15,000 Karmas a year starting when it goes on sale next year and then through 2016, they estimate that 248 million gallons of gasoline will be saved.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: Fisker]

Continue reading Fisker announces fuel economy estimate for Karma - 67.2 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 83 g/km

Fisker announces fuel economy estimate for Karma - 67.2 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 83 g/km originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2009: Fisker Karma, Devon GTX lap Laguna Seca

Drew Phillips — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Fisker, Electric

Devon GTX and Fisker Karma take to the track at Laguna Seca - Click above for a high-res image gallery

In addition to the eight classes of vintage racecars that took to the track at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Saturday, spectators were also treated to a duo of special vehicles. The first was the 2010 Fisker Karma, which made its official driving debut (even though we saw it driving the day before at Concorso Italiano). We almost missed it since we couldn't hear it coming and it only did one lap, but fortunately we were able to grab a few photos. The next was the Devon GTX, which set a blistering lap time of 1:35.075 at MRLS just a few days earlier. After wowing the crowds, the GTX was loaded on a trailer and transported to Pebble Beach for its official debut. Our action photos of both cars can be found in the gallery below.

Gallery: Devon GTX and Fisker Karma on Track

Monterey 2009: Fisker Karma, Devon GTX lap Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Fisker Karma shows its mojo

Domenick Yoney — Sat, 16 May 2009 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Videos

Click above to watch video after the jump

A year ago, less a day, we showed you the first clip of the Fisker Karma in motion. More footage was shot that afternoon, but it's inexplicably taken this long for it to find its way onto the internet. What we have here is 52 seconds of exuberant, pedal-down slalom carving and skidpad circling in the Fisker Karma. The driver makes the tires squawk so much that you forget all about the unfortunate pop tune dubbed into the clip.

While not as polished as Fisker's recently-aired commercial, it does give a more accurate hint of how the luxo-sport hybrid-electric might handle. That is to say with a bit of understeer, though its wide stance does help keep the car from revealing its considerable weight. So ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts and hit the jump for some wheel-squealing Karma action. Scroll down a bit further to revisit the aforementioned commercial spot as well.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Fisker Karma S

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Fisker Karma shows its mojo

VIDEO: Fisker Karma shows its mojo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 May 2009 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Good Karma: Fisker investors reportedly bring in $85 million in capital

Noah Joseph — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Earnings/Financials

Fisker Karma - Click above for a hi-res gallery

Hybrid propulsion or not, wunder-designer Henrik Fisker couldn't have picked a worse time be to starting a new car company...especially in the United States. Fisker has been adamant that his company will get off the ground and begin production of its much-hyped Karma electric sedan and S convertible, but without the capital invested, speculation was that his efforts could run out of steam prematurely. However, Automotive News is reporting that the upstart automaker has received a healthy cash injection of $85 million to help get production started.

The funds come from two investors: Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, which was one of the first financial firms to invest in Fisker's enterprise, and a new investor Eco-Drive Capital Partners LLC. Will it be enough to get the Karma out on the street? Eighty-five mil is a big hunk of cash, but as any Detroit veteran could tell you, big money has a habit of running out fast in this business, and it generally takes hundreds of millions of dollars to launch new models.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Fisker Karma

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Fisker Karma S Concept

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]

Good Karma: Fisker investors reportedly bring in $85 million in capital originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Fisker runs commercials in L.A. before Oscars

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Lifestyle

Click above to watch the video after the jump

The Fisker Karma is on its way, and Henrik Fisker wants the world to know about it. The company bought two one-minute spots during the Oscars telecast, and they happened to play just before two of the evening's most hyped celebs did their turns on the crimson shag. You don't learn much about the car during the spot, and frankly it looks a little like something that should be Spike TV late at night, but hey, the word is out. Follow the jump to see it for yourself.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Fisker Karma

[Source: Wired]

Continue reading VIDEO: Fisker runs commercials in L.A. before Oscars

VIDEO: Fisker runs commercials in L.A. before Oscars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Production Fisker Karma debuts for 2010 [w/VIDEO]

Chris Paukert — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Fisker Karma

It's been a scant 12 months since Henrik Fisker debuted the curvaceous Karma concept that bears his name, and today the former PAG design star returned to Detroit with a very similar looking production model and a business plan.

It's been a busy year for the upstart luxury manufacturer, and in that time, a development center has been built and staffed in nearby Pontiac, Michigan, and the Karma has received an all-new interior ("with eco-friendly materials and absolutely no black plastic buttons") that includes a new haptic touch-control system for the driver.

The aluminum spaceframe four-door is a plug-in hybrid vehicle that Fisker says will reach 60 miles-per-hour in 5.8 seconds and be able to cruise comfortably at 125 miles-per-hour. Power gets to the 22-inch wheels via a pair of 201 horsepower electric motors backed by a lithium-ion battery pack. A generator is affixed to a 260-horsepower version of General Motors' 2.0-liter Ecotec engine to provide extended-range capability.

Fisker says his company expects to sign 40 dealers up by year's end, and notes that he already has 22 on-board. Furthermore, Fisker says he expects production to ramp up to 15,000 units per year, and 1,300 units have already be pre-sold to early adopters. The asking price for the Karma is a reasonable-sounding $87,900, a number that has us wondering how Fisker and Co. intends to make money considering the modest volume projections and cost-intensive R&D. Check out the high-res gallery below, and the video and press release after the jump.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Fisker Karma

Gallery: Production Fisker Karma

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Production Fisker Karma debuts for 2010 [w/VIDEO]

Detroit 2009: Production Fisker Karma debuts for 2010 [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker offers up front view of production Karma PHEV

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:56:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Green

Click above for high-res image gallery of the production Fisker Karma

Fisker has just sent us a few more shots of the production-ready Karma plug-in so that we can get a better look at the car's newly revised face. The front intake has been mildly revised in order to let the GM-sourced 260-horsepower Ecotec engine breath a bit more fresh air. It's a subtle change, but we like the results and think that it makes a big difference to the overall look of the car. We also get a good look at those unique exhaust ports that emit the turbocharged mill's spent gases just aft of the front wheels.

Lastly, we have an interesting view beneath the slinky bodywork, which shows off the aluminum space frame chassis that holds the car together. We presume that the pronounced center tunnel will house the lithium-ion battery pack. The chassis also shows the new flush B-pillars that were absent on the concept and are necessary to meet future safety requirements. Fisker plans to show the Karma, including its never-before-seen interior, at the Detroit Auto Show in January. We'll be there to deliver the goods in person.

Gallery: Production Fisker Karma

[Source: Fisker Automotive]

Fisker offers up front view of production Karma PHEV originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Preview: Production Fisker Karma will debut in Motown

John Neff — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Green

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Fisker Karma

Just one short year after Fisker debuted its plug-in hybrid Karma show car at the Detroit Auto Show, the house that Henrik built will be returning to the Motor City to debut the production version of its ambitious project. Fisker says the production model, which is shown above in this just-released official pic, will only vary slightly in design from the show car, including a different upper grille that's a bit larger towards the outer edges and a larger lower air intake. The exhaust pipe from the internal combustion engine will also exit from an odd place: behind the front wheels. We'll also get our first view of the Karma's production interior in Detroit next month.

Fisker announced last month that it had chosen General Motors' turbocharged, direct-inject 2.0L four-cylinder as its ICE of choice, and after sampling that engine in the Chevy Cobalt SS Turbo, we're very eager to see what it will do in a hybrid set-up designed to make one very large luxury saloon move like the wind. Combined with the hybrid system's 22.6 kWh electric motor, the drivetrain as a whole is said to produce 408 horsepower and propel the car to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and onto to a top speed of 125 mph. What sounded like vaporware 365 days ago is starting to take form, and we'll be on hand in Detroit next month to bring you more.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: Fisker]

Continue reading Detroit Preview: Production Fisker Karma will debut in Motown

Detroit Preview: Production Fisker Karma will debut in Motown originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker sets up shop in Pontiac, Michigan

Noah Joseph — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Plants/Manufacturing

Click above for high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma

The Big 3 may be laying off workers left, right and center, but at least one start up is moving into town to swoop up some skilled workers. That start-up is Fisker Automotive, the aspiring luxury-hybrid automaker headed up by noted designed Henrik Fisker. The new facility is based in a leased property in Pontiac, Michigan, in suburban Detroit, and will help Fisker's engineers get the Karma, first shown in concept form at the last Detroit show and ambitiously gearing up for a production preview at the next one.

The Pontiac site is not replacing Fisker's Irvine, California, headquarters, nor its production site in Finland. It will, however, bring the outfit closer to component suppliers in the Detroit area in an effort to expedite the development process. The 34,000-sq.-ft. Pontiac facility already has approximately 130 staff members hard at work on the Karma, ramping up to 200 dedicated workers and consultants from local parts suppliers.

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]

Fisker sets up shop in Pontiac, Michigan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy shots: Fisker Karma makes an appearance in California

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Sedan, Green

Up until now, the Fisker Karma hasn't really been much more than a pretty face to go along with a promise. That changes today, thanks to a spy photographer who was lucky enough to catch the upcoming plug-in hybrid sedan out testing in California. Lawsuits often seem to have a dampening effect on enthusiasm, so it's good to see the Karma out and about. We can clearly see that the body is the same shape as what we all saw at its introduction earlier this year in Detroit. What we don't know yet is what's powering those shapely curves down the road. The first inclination from Autocar is that a Volkswagen 1.4-liter four-banger will provide power to the lithium ion batteries via a generator, but we really can't be sure what's being tested. Still, given the amount of electric know-how that Quantum Technologies, the electric powertrain supplier to Fisker, already has, we wouldn't be too surprised if something close to final-spec components were being run through their paces.

UPDATE: For what it's worth, these photos were not captured by a photographer hiding in the bushes. They were apparently actually put out by Fisker's Beverly Hills PR agency Rogers & Cowan. We still don't know anything about the mechanicals of the car in question, only that Fisker is trying to generate some buzz.

[Source: Autocar via AutoblogGreen, Autoweek]

Spy shots: Fisker Karma makes an appearance in California originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 May 2008 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker still on track to deliver Karma by end of 2009

Chris Shunk — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Government/Legal, Green

Click above for high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma

Fisker Automotive may be knee-deep in a legal battle with electric car pioneer Tesla Motors, but the fledgling automaker is still committed to producing its stunning Karma plug-in electric vehicle by Q4 2009. Henrik Fisker and crew have received so much negative press regarding the pending lawsuit that it issued a press release to ensure prospective buyers that that the Karma was on its way, but also to explain where its PHEV technology originates.

Fisker calls the lawsuit "nonsense," and points out that his design company, Fisker Coachbuild, has non-exlusive design contracts with many automakers. The press release, which is available after the jump, shows that Fisker is getting its PHEV tech from a company called Quantum Technologies, which has also created electric vehicles for the U.S. Armed Forces. The release doesn't specifically address Tesla's contention that Fisker stole electric vehicle design secrets, but then again it's probably not a good idea to discuss pending litigation in any real detail.

It seems as though Tesla Motors is just a little peeved that the Karma's design is superior to the one Fisker Coachbuild designed for its upcoming WhiteStar sedan, which we're hoping to see soon so we can know what all the fuss is about.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: Fisker Automotive]

Continue reading Fisker still on track to deliver Karma by end of 2009

Fisker still on track to deliver Karma by end of 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker Karma to project jet turbine sound using speakers

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:12:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Performance, Green, Safety

Click above for more high-res images of the Fisker Karma

Every automaker realizes that they need to make their vehicles consume less gas, reduce emissions and lessen their overall effect on the environment. One obvious way to make this happen is to go electric, but that solution poses its own host of problems. One potential sticking-point is that many drivers love the way their car sounds and have gotten used to the underhood roar and scintillating exhaust note of an internal combustion engine. But, what if your electric car sounded ''like something between a Formula One car and a jet plane?"

That's exactly what Henrik Fisker plans to do with his new Karma, a hybrid sedan which can travel up to 50 miles before the engine needs to kick in and recharge the batteries. To make sure that everyone inside and out can hear the F1-car-slash-jet-turbine note, speakers have been placed strategically around the vehicle, both in the interior and on the exterior. A novel, if not obvious solution, but we doubt it's going to have the same effect no matter how well it's executed.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: Forbes Autos]

Fisker Karma to project jet turbine sound using speakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker provides sneak peak of new Karma coupe

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Green

Of all the auto shows and random events we attend throughout the year, it never dawned on us to book a ticket to San Francisco to scope out the J.D. Power Roundtable meeting. Too bad, considering that Henrik Fisker showed off a "top secret" photo of the bespoke automaker's next project.

According to Automotive News, Fisker flashed a picture of the concept on stage and said that it would use the same lithium-ion plug-in hybrid drivetrain as the Karma sedan. Fisker went on to say that the four-seater convertible would go on sale around the same time as the Karma sedan, sometime in late 2009. A spokesman said that it's expected to be unveiled sometime this fall.

Unfortunately, Fisker wouldn't provide us with an image of the 2+2 cabrio, but if you happen to have a subscription to Automotive News, you can see a shot of the two-door convertible with plenty of styling cues pulled from the Karma, including the flared fenders, elongated hood and patented Fisker haunches.

UPDATE: We decided to post the picture from Automotive News since it now can be seen on sites such as World Car Fans and eGMCarTech, though we've also spoken with Fisker and are trying to obtain an official image of the 2+2 convertible.

[Source: Fisker, Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Gallery: Fisker Karma

Fisker provides sneak peak of new Karma coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2008: Fisker Karma draws a crowd, impresses

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Green

Click above for more high-res images of the Fisker Karma

Fisker's premium hybrid sports sedan finally has a name: Karma. It is particularly apt since the coach builder's aim is to give customers a luxury sports sedan about which they can feel proud for what it does, or doesn't do, to the environment. The Karma is powered by what's being called Q-DRIVE, a system developed by Quantum Technologies that combines a four-cylinder engine sending power to a generator to propel the four-door sedan. Fisker claims that the Karma can run from zero to sixty in 5.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 125 mph.

There are two different modes available to drivers; the first, dubbed "Stealth Drive" is a pure electric mode which should allow the Karma to run off the lithium ion battery pack for 50 miles before the engine kicks into boost the juice. The second, a sports mode, integrates the four-banger for peak performance and, according to Fisker, makes the Karma sound like a combination of a jet fighter and an F1 car. The batteries themselves are placed smack dab in the middle of the vehicle, which lowers the car's center of gravity and improves weight distribution. Of course, the Karma is a luxury vehicle at heart and will include a navigation system and DVD player with headrest-mounted displays.

As for the design, it's unique and we're totally crushing on it. It's like a Maserati Quattroporte with more curves and character. Make no mistake, if you eventually own one you'll never see another on the road. If you're interested, however, you'll have to wait until late 2009 to take delivery, although we're certain Fisker wouldn't mind accepting a deposit before then. The first batch of 99 will be signed by the designer, Henrik Fisker, and coated in the same color as above. Price? $80,000.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

Detroit 2008: Fisker Karma draws a crowd, impresses originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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