Fisker Karma makes driving debut at Laguna Seca

A hybrid for enthusiasts

By Michael Gauthier
August 18, 2009 5:15 PM
Filed Under: American, Fisker, Hybrid

The Fisker Karma hybrid made its public driving debut at Laguna Seca last weekend.

Taking part in the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, the Karma attained speeds of 100 mph without using any gasoline. According to Fisker's CEO, Henrik Fisker, "This demonstration represents a significant milestone for Fisker Automotive and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) technology. The future of clean cars is bright."

As we have previously reported, the Karma uses two electric motors that produce up to 375 kW (403 hp) and 1,300 Nm (959 lb/ft) of torque. The motors are connected to a 200kW lithium-ion battery pack, which is recharged by a GM-sourced four-cylinder engine with 260 hp. When the battery is fully charged, the car can travel up to 50 miles (80.5 km) before the petrol engine kicks in to recharge it.

Unlike most hybrids, the Karma can run from 0-60 mph in less than six seconds, before hitting a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).

The Fisker Karma will go into production later this year, with a base price of $87,900 USD.

Source: Fisker Automotive

Press Release (Click to expand)

FISKER KARMA PHEV MAKES WORLD DRIVING DEBUT

Plug-in hybrid silently laps racetrack without gasoline

Monterey, CA - August 17, 2009: The Fisker Karma PHEV made its public driving debut over the weekend, just 19 months after being introduced as a concept.

The 403hp prototype Karma Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) attained a speed of 100 mph, but used no gasoline as it made its way around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Behind the wheel was Fisker Automotive co-founder and COO Bernhard Koehler.

California-based Fisker Automotive is developing the full size Karma sedan to be the first production PHEV. The Karma proves fuel-efficient vehicles can generate the passion and excitement that made us fall in love with cars in the first place. Although the Fisker Karma can reach 60mph in six seconds and a top speed of 125mph it can also achieve well over 100mpg. Carbon emissions are also lower than today's hybrids.

"This demonstration represents a significant milestone for Fisker Automotive and PHEV technology," said CEO Henrik Fisker. "The future of clean cars is bright."

The Karma has a range of 50 emission-free miles on a full charge of its Lithium-ion battery, and a total range of 300 miles thanks to an on-board generator turned by traditional but efficient 260hp, four-cylinder gasoline engine. Combined with two powerful electric motors, these components make up the Q-DRIVE® powertrain exclusive to all Fisker automobiles. Q-DRIVE® delivers the ultimate combination of performance, range and efficiency.

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Tags: Fisker Karma, 2010 Fisker Karma, Laguna Seca

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Comments

Renegade

August 18, 2009 5:24 PM

Are looking Porsche? This is how a 4 door coupe should look like, not like your lame looking Panamera.

scratchy996

August 18, 2009 6:56 PM

no. this looks like any other 4 door coupe. the Panamera is original. now try telling Porsche that a rear engine is a bad idea.

carcrazy1234

August 18, 2009 7:59 PM

not at all scratchy. i can't believe ur defending the panamera haha

Hardboy997

August 18, 2009 9:36 PM

2 Renegade: Hmmm. Did you drive both cars in real life? No? Please don´t compare Porsche with Fisker, maybe in USA it´s famous, but here in Europe almost nobody knows about it. I would buy Panamera first of all because of the quality and Porsche spirit inside and outside. In my opinion Fisker is just a design.

Edited by user on August 18, 2009 at 9:36 PM

McNamara68

August 19, 2009 12:23 AM

@ Hardboy: I believe Renegade is referring strictly to the styling, not the driving dynamics or quality; and quite frankly, I have to agree with him. The Panamera is a beauty from the front and a beast from the rear (and not in a good way). This is my opinion, if you and Scratchy actually like the styling, more power to you.

catchmyshadow

August 19, 2009 2:40 AM

it looks cool but i don`t think it will be anywhere near as good as the panamera. but for some purposes beauty is just enough.

Wickedated

August 19, 2009 10:00 AM

Hardboy: why are you asking the guy if he has driven the Panamera or the Fisker as if YOU had? First, the Panamera is ugly and every press review agrees. Second, the States is the biggest Porsche market. Don't know which part of Europe you're from but come to the US and you'll see 3x more Porsches here- from 911s to Cayennes- than any city in Europe. Here in Boston there'll be plenty of Panameras even before you see one wherever the heck you're from. Fisker is a much better design inside and out, and never have driven either myself, I cannot compare one to the other except for a beauty contest. Fisker hands down. It it delivers what it promises, almighty Porsche is Effed in their biggest market.

zyzyphe

August 18, 2009 5:28 PM

It is such a beautiful car. The performance of the electric engines is impressive. But the 50miles range is somehow not good enough I think.

Bristol411S3

August 18, 2009 5:39 PM

That's 50 mile son battery alone before the "generator" kicks in. This is similar to the deal with the Chevy Volt. It's full range with a tank of petrol will be several hundred miles.

scratchy996

August 18, 2009 6:58 PM

Bristol411S3, true, the serial hybrid is the future.

carcrazy1234

August 18, 2009 8:00 PM

yea dude. we're just starting out with this electric business in cars haha. its like a "new" engine. look how long it took for the human race to come up with more efficient internal combustion engines over time. as technology gets better, so will this. :D

ACCODG

August 18, 2009 5:49 PM

The car is beautiful. The performance and technology are solid. But most importantly, Fisker might prove that an independent car company can exist today. If he can sell this car for under 90K, pay his suppliers and put cash in his pocket... We all win.

zeitgeist_md

August 18, 2009 6:05 PM

henrik fisker is a great designer. Bmw z8, Aston martin DB9, now the Karmer, all of them are classic.

termigni

August 18, 2009 6:19 PM

what is the MPG figure then?

evile

August 18, 2009 6:29 PM

They estimate it to be around 100 mpg combined (i.e. battery and generator assist).

scratchy996

August 18, 2009 7:00 PM

that's if you recharge your battery every night and only drive a certain amount of miles. it's a tricky business calculating the MPG on serial hybrids.

Andy_Turbo

August 18, 2009 6:47 PM

truly a wonderful car that will change lots of things in the automotive industry

vilivo

August 18, 2009 7:16 PM

4-door Z8 anyone?!?

abughaleb

August 18, 2009 7:43 PM

With kidney grill too !

nederina

August 18, 2009 8:11 PM

everything the porsche panamera should have been

Siawa

August 18, 2009 8:17 PM

It's a beautiful car. Saw it in AutoShow, looks stunning.

Andres2007

August 18, 2009 9:25 PM

I really, really hope this car succeeds.

eddie

August 19, 2009 12:06 AM

We can have our cake and eat it too. Great looks, power, and save the environment.

R0ADR4G3

August 19, 2009 2:00 AM

ok if fisker can do this with there cars and get 409 with electric motors why cant every other automaker do this, APPLY YOURSELFS PEOPLE!!!!!!!

kmayb

August 19, 2009 9:02 AM

i wouldn't call the Veyron truely beautiful like say the Italia but it what it can do that makes it stunning to look at . Sometimes. That is why i personally like the Panamera. As Mixalot says "Baby got Back!"

vilivo

September 4, 2009 1:32 AM

Amen!