Fisker Karma

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Fisker Karma
Fisker Karma
Manufacturer Fisker Automotive
Production 2010
Assembly Uusikaupunki, Finland by Valmet Automotive
Class plug-in series hybrid luxury sports sedan
Body style(s) 4-door sedan
Layout front engine, rear wheel drive
Platform QTWW's Q-Drive
Engine(s) 2.0 litres (120 cu in) Turbocharged Ecotec VVT DI LNF + x2 Electric Motors (201BHP equivalent each)
Transmission(s) rear differential mating the two electric motors
Length 195.67 in (4,970 mm)
Width 78.11 in (1,984 mm)
Height 51.57 in (1,310 mm)
Electric range 50 miles (80 km) ('stealth' electric only mode)
Designer Henrik Fisker
Fisker Karma

The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan revealed on 14 January 2008 at the North American International Auto Show.[1] It is the first car from Fisker Automotive, a joint venture of Quantum Technologies and Fisker Coachbuild, LLC, announced on 5 September 2007.[2] Fisker Automotive plans to begin production by Valmet Automotive in May 2010 and have the first cars in showrooms by September 2010.[3] The car is anticipated to have a PHEV-50, 50-mile (80 km) all-electric range,[4] and sell for US $87,900.[3]

Contents

[edit] Features

The Karma is powered by Quantum Technologies' Q-Drive technology, an innovative petrol engine/electric motor combination; Q-Drive is a series hybrid system meaning that 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.

As a factory option the Karma can be fitted with 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[5]and is estimated to provide up to 4 to 5 miles (6.4–8.0 km) of additional range a week assuming continuously sunny days.[6] 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 will only have to refill the fuel tank annually provided they do not drive more than 50 miles (80 km) a day. Fisker Automotive have also suggested that when in 'sport-hybrid' mode the Karma will be capable of 100 miles per US gallon (2.4 l/100 km) of fuel consumed for 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. [7]

The Karma's two 201 brake horsepower (204 PS) motors produce 1,300 newton metres (960 ft·lbf) of torque, more than the Bugatti Veyron at 1,250 N·m (920 ft·lbf).[8][9]

[edit] 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.[10]

[edit] Production and delivery

The Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reported[11] that Fisker Automotive and Valmet Automotive had 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 13 November 2008, the final assembly contract was signed by both parties.[12]

Fisker Automotive is accepting pre-orders in America and Europe and intends to sell its Karma PHEV by the fourth quarter of 2009 in the US, and import into Europe starting in 2010.[13] Fisker Automotive received 800 orders for Karma in Europe. Sales of the Karma in Europe are expected to begin in 2009 or 2010, where it eventually plans to sell more than half of the units of its debut car.[14][13]

Fisker Automotive also announced the creation of a 34,000-square-foot (3,200 m2) research and design center in Pontiac, Michigan.[15]

[edit] 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 claims 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 [16]. On 4 November 2008 CNET News reported that Tesla Motors would discontinue its suit after an interim ruling in favor of Fisker et al. Tesla were ordered to pay $1,144,285 in costs.[17] A news release on the Fisker Automotive website stated similar news.[18]

[edit] 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. [19][20]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ricker, Thomas (14 January 2008). "The "eco-chic" Fisker Karma and 150mpg XH-150 hybrids revealed". Engadget. Weblogs, Inc.. http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/14/the-eco-chic-fisker-karma-and-150mpg-xh-150-hybrids-revealed/. Retrieved 2008-01-14. 
  2. ^ "Drive the Future with Fisker Automotive, A New Green American Premium Car Company" (PDF). Fisker Automotive. 5 September 2007. http://www.fiskerautomotive.com/pdf/FISKER%20AUTOMOTIVE%20-%20English.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  3. ^ a b Chuck Squatriglia (2009-12-03). "Fisker Automotive Starts Plug-In Production in May". Wired Autopia. Wired. http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/12/fisker-automotive-starts-production-in-may/. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
  4. ^ Shirouzu, N.; Buckman, R. (14 January 2008). "Electric-Car Firms Get Star Investors". Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120027887033287745.html. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  5. ^ de Paula, Matthew (27 February 2009). "Fisker Karma". AutoTrader.com. http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/auto-show/37173/fisker-karma.jsp. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  6. ^ "2010 Fisker Karma". cars.com. 12 January 2009. http://www.cars.com/go/features/autoshows/vehicle.jsp?vehicletype=production&autoshowyear=2009&vehicle=production_fisker_karma&make=Fisker&model=Karma. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  7. ^ Lavrinc, Damon (14 January 2008). "Detroit 2008: Fisker Karma draws a crowd, impresses". autoblog.com. http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/14/detroit-2008-fisker-karma-draws-a-crowd-impresses/. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  8. ^ Will (2009-01-16). "Detroit 2009: Production Fisker Karma is revealed, jaws begin dropping". AutomoBlog. http://www.automoblog.net/2009/01/16/detroit-2009-production-fisker-karma-sedan/. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
  9. ^ Eric Baxter. "Fisker Karma: Plenty of Torque and Voltage, Too". howstuffworks. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/hybrid-technology/fisker-karma2.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
  10. ^ Wes Siler (2009-01-13). "Fisker Karma S Sunset: World's First Hybrid Convertible". Jalopnik. http://jalopnik.com/5129546/fisker-karma-s-sunset-worlds-first-hybrid-convertible. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
  11. ^ "Hybridit korvaamassa Porschen" (in Finnish). Helsingin Sanomat. 15 July 2008. http://www.hs.fi/talous/artikkeli/Hybridit+korvaamassa+Porschen+Uudessakaupungissa/1135237888298. Retrieved 2008-07-16. 
  12. ^ "Fisker Automotive and Valmet Automotive Have Signed Final Assembly Contract for the...". 13 November 2008. http://www.automotive.com/auto-news/02/39938/index.html. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  13. ^ a b "Fisker Automotive announces first European importer". Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. 11 April 2008. http://www.autoindustry.co.uk/news/11-04-08_11. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  14. ^ Alina, Simona (19 June 2008). "Fisker received 800 orders for Karma in Europe". topspeed.com. http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/-fisker-received-800-orders-for-karma-in-europe-ar59337.html. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  15. ^ Mack, Ben (11 November 2008). "Fisker Automotive's On a Roll and Michigan Gets Karma". Wired: Autopia. http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/11/detroit-now-has.html. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  16. ^ Migliore, Greg (16 April 2008). "Tesla sues Fisker, alleges theft of trade secrets". AutoWeek. http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200804161045/FREE/512789873. Retrieved 2008-04-16. 
  17. ^ LaMonica, Martin (11 April 2008). "Tesla Motors loses trade secrets case against Fisker". CNET News. http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10082062-54.html?tag=mncol. Retrieved 2009-06-29. 
  18. ^ "ARBITRATOR FIRM EARLIER FINDING IN FAVOR OF FISKER AND AWARDS FISKER $1,144,385" (PDF). Fisker Automotive. 11 December 2008. http://karma.fiskerautomotive.com/news_items/download/5/2008-12-11.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  19. ^ Scardino, Robert (24 June 2009). "Fisker Karma Sunset Named 2009 North American Production Preview Vehicle of the Year]". AllCarsElectric.com. http://www.allcarselectric.com/blog/1021718_fisker-karma-sunset-named-2009-north-american-production-preview-vehicle-of-the-year. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  20. ^ "Fisker Plug-In Hybrid Wins North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Award Category". Fisker Automotive. 23 June 2009. http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/06-23-2009/0005049205&EDATE=. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 

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