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Fisker Karma

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Fisker Karma
Fisker Karma
Overview
ManufacturerFisker Automotive
Production2011
AssemblyUusikaupunki, Finland by Valmet Automotive
DesignerHenrik Fisker
Body and chassis
Classluxury sports sedan
Body style4-door sedan
Layoutfront engine, rear wheel drive
PlatformProprietary advanced aluminum space frame
Powertrain
Engine2.2 litres (130 cu in) Turbocharged Ecotec VVT DI LNF + 2 pcs Electric Motors (201BHP equivalent each)
Transmissionrear differential mating the two electric motors
Battery22 kWh lithium-ion battery[1]
Range300 miles (480 km) [1]
Electric range50 miles (80 km)[1]
Dimensions
Length195.67 in (4,970 mm)
Width78.11 in (1,984 mm)
Height51.57 in (1,310 mm)

The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan revealed at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.[2] It is the first car from Fisker Automotive, a new auto maker based in Anaheim, California, founded on 5 September 2007.[3] The Fisker Karma is being manufactured at Valmet Automotive in Finland.[4]

After missing its initial late 2009 launch, Fisker Automotive has re-scheduled several times and now deliveries in the U.S. are scheduled to begin by late July 2011.[4][5][6] The Fisker Karma will sell for US$95,900 for the basic model, and US$109,850 for the top model.[7]

Features

The Karma is technically a series hybrid, driven by a a pair of electric motors totaling 403hp that get their power from a 22 kWh lithium ion battery supplied by A123 Systems, or a 175kW generator spun by an efficient, 2.2L gas engine.[1] The engine is mated with a generator to provide an electrical connection to the motors and also recharge the batteries and as such the electric motors are the only mechanical driving force connected to the wheels. The Q-Drive hybrid drive train is supplied by Quantum Technologies, which was a founding partner in the creation of Fisker Automotive.

The Karma includes as standard[8] a solar paneled roof not only to aid in the recharging of its Lithium-Ion batteries but also to aid the cabin climate control system. The solar roof is capable of generating a half kilowatt-hour a day[9] and is estimated to provide up to 4 to-[convert: unknown unit] of additional range a week assuming continuously sunny days.[10] Additionally, the car will offer a set of solar panels for the garage/house which may charge the Karma entirely 'off the grid'.

Although Fisker Automotive has yet to release solid statistics regarding Karma’s fuel economy, the company estimates the average driver could refill the fuel tank just once annually provided they do not drive more than 50 miles (80 km) a day. Fisker Automotive has also suggested that the Karma will be capable of 100 miles per US gallon (2.4 L/100 km) and a range of 300 miles (480 km). Despite its eco-friendly background the Karma features a 125 mph (201 km/h) top speed and is capable of reaching 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 5.8 seconds.[11]

The Karma's two 201 brake horsepower (204 PS) motors produce 1,300 newton-metres (960 lbf⋅ft) of torque, more than the Bugatti Veyron at 1,250 N⋅m (920 lbf⋅ft).[12][13]

The base model features an "eco-friendly interior", including salvaged lumber from fires or even from lake bottoms. Optional leather seating is available, but it will use much more of the cow hide than would customarily be found on luxury models—hides with scratches and other mars (which should not affect functionality) will be used.[14]

Convertible model

In January 2009 Fisker previewed the Karma S 'Sunset' at the North American International Auto Show, the world's first plug-in hybrid convertible, with a folding hardtop.[15]

Production and delivery

Fisker Karma production model exhibited at the 2010 Paris Motor Show

The Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reported[16] that Fisker Automotive and Valmet Automotive reached an early agreement to manufacture the cars in Uusikaupunki, Finland. The Valmet factory located there currently produces Porsche Boxster and Cayman models (until 2012), and has previously produced various Saab models as well as some other cars. On November 13, 2008, the final assembly contract was signed by both parties.[17]

In 2008 Fisker Automotive began accepting pre-orders in the US, and Europe and initially scheduled sales of its Karma PHEV by the fourth quarter of 2009 in the US, and starting in 2010 in Europe.[18] In 2009 Henrik Fisker reported 1,300 orders for the Karma.[19] After re-scheduling the Karma launch to September 2010, and missing its target to build 70 to 100 test cars in 2010,[20] Production began in July 2011, with the market launch in the United States is scheduled for late July 2011.[4]

Henrik Fisker showed the first production model Karma at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.[21] The first production Fisker Karma is scheduled to be delivered to Leonardo DiCaprio by the end of July 2011, and other celebrities will follow. The Valmet plant in Finland began production with five cars a week, and Fisk expects to rise production to 300 cars a week from November 2011. As of July 2011, Fisker claims it has received 3,000 pre-orders and that the plug-in hybrid is sold out until early 2012.[4]

Tesla lawsuit

On 14 April 2008 Tesla Motors filed a lawsuit against Fisker Automotive, alleging that Henrik Fisker stole Tesla's Model S hybrid technology and is using it to develop the Karma. Tesla's suit claimed that the design work done for the Model S sedan by Fisker Coachbuild was substandard, and that Fisker Automotive diverted its best ideas to the Karma.[22] On 4 November 2008 CNET News reported that Tesla Motors would discontinue its suit after an interim ruling in favor of Fisker et al.[23] A news release on the Fisker Automotive website stated that Tesla was ordered to pay $1,144,285 in costs.[24]

Awards

2009 marked the first time that an electric vehicle was named a North American Production Preview Vehicle of the Year by the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards. The award went to Fisker Automotive for the Fisker Karma Sunset.[25][26]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Brad Berman (2010-03-09). "Fisker Karma". PluginCars. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  2. ^ Ricker, Thomas (14 January 2008). "The "eco-chic" Fisker Karma and 150mpg XH-150 hybrids revealed". Engadget. Weblogs, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  3. ^ "Drive the Future with Fisker Automotive, A New Green American Premium Car Company" (PDF). Fisker Automotive. 5 September 2007. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  4. ^ a b c d Jim Holder (2011-07-12). "Fisker Karma gets 3000 orders". Autocar. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  5. ^ Reuters (2010-05-27). "Fisker Karma full production delayed to February 2011". AutoblogGreen. Retrieved 2011-06-10. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ "Fisker Karma Has Been Delayed Yet Again For July 2011". Top Speed. 2001-06-05. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  7. ^ Godske, Bjørn (3 January 2011). "Fisker's hybrid for sale in two months" (in Danish). Ing.dk. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  8. ^ Ireson, Nelson (23 December 2010). "Fisker Hikes Price On Karma, Sales Launch Summer 2011". MotorAuthority.com. Retrieved 2011-01-11.
  9. ^ de Paula, Matthew (27 February 2009). "Fisker Karma". AutoTrader.com. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  10. ^ "2010 Fisker Karma". cars.com. 12 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-14. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  11. ^ Lavrinc, Damon (14 January 2008). "Detroit 2008: Fisker Karma draws a crowd, impresses". autoblog.com. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  12. ^ Will (2009-01-16). "Detroit 2009: Production Fisker Karma is revealed, jaws begin dropping". AutomoBlog. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
  13. ^ Eric Baxter. "Fisker Karma: Plenty of Torque and Voltage, Too". howstuffworks. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
  14. ^ Bengt Halvorson (2009-01-19). "2010 Fisker Karma: Vegan On Board". The Car Connection. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  15. ^ Wes Siler (2009-01-13). "Fisker Karma S Sunset: World's First Hybrid Convertible". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
  16. ^ "Hybridit korvaamassa Porschen". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 15 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
  17. ^ "Fisker Automotive and Valmet Automotive Have Signed Final Assembly Contract for the..." 13 November 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  18. ^ "Fisker Automotive announces first European importer". Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. 11 April 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  19. ^ Michael Graham Richard (2009-03-11). "Detroit Auto Show 2009: Fisker Unveils Karma S Convertible Plug-In Hybrid". TreeHugger. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  20. ^ Poornima Gupta (2010-05-27). "Fisker to build 100 test Karma cars in 2010". Reuters. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
  21. ^ John O'Dell (2010-09-30). "2010 Paris Motor Show: Fisker Karma Production Model Hews to Concept's Promise". Green Car Adviser. Edmunds.com. Retrieved 2010-12-06.
  22. ^ Migliore, Greg (16 April 2008). "Tesla sues Fisker, alleges theft of trade secrets". AutoWeek. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
  23. ^ LaMonica, Martin (11 April 2008). "Tesla Motors loses trade secrets case against Fisker". CNET News. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
  24. ^ "ARBITRATOR FIRM EARLIER FINDING IN FAVOR OF FISKER AND AWARDS FISKER $1,144,385" (PDF). Fisker Automotive. 11 December 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  25. ^ Scardino, Robert (24 June 2009). "Fisker Karma Sunset Named 2009 North American Production Preview Vehicle of the Year]". AllCarsElectric.com. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  26. ^ "Fisker Plug-In Hybrid Wins North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Award Category". Fisker Automotive. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
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