24hcar: Fisker

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100 Fisker Karma test vehicles to be built in Finland this year

Posted by Mr Dung Friday, May 28, 2010

Fisker Automotive Inc., the California electric-car start-up, will be building 100 units of its Karma plug-in hybrid model this year to be used for testing, according to an investor in the firm.

The company has contracted Finnish manufacturer Valmet Automotive to build the Karma at its plant in Finland where Valmet also builds the Porsche Boxster and Cayman models, and the electric City car for Think, the Norwegian automaker. According to investor Ray Lane, production will be ramped up next year to a volume of 15,000 units annually.

Lane is a managing partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm which has previously invested in successes such as Google and Amazon.com.

"These will be tested internally, crash tested and used for other testing purposes," said Lane. Some units will be delivered to customers for real-world testing too.

The Karma is a premium 4-door sport-sedan coupe and plug-in hybrid model with two electric motors producing a total of 300 kW (402 bhp / 408 PS) and 1,300 Nm (959 lb/ft) of torque. It has a range of around 50 miles/80 km running on electric-current alone. In hybrid mode, with an internal-combustion engine charging the 200kW lithium-ion battery pack, its range is extended to 300 miles/482 km. The drive wheels are solely powered by the electric motors.

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Fisker Latigo CS Prototype Number 000 For Sale

Posted by Mr Dung Tuesday, March 9, 2010

[fiskerbuzz]

A Fisker Latigo CS is up for sale in San Diego, California. With the special number 000 designation, this is the actual prototype model that was displayed at motor shows back in the day.

Based on a 2005 BMW 645i coupe, the Latigo features a unique body, special head- and taillights, and 20-inch wheels outfitted with Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Inside, the car has a unique center console, an SMG transmission, and special "000 of 150" scuff plates.

In terms of performance, the prototype features an adjustable coil-over suspension, a Brembo braking system, and several DINAN accessories (exhaust, chip, cold-air intake, and strut tower braces).

With 8,197 miles (13,191 km) on the odometer, the prototype is priced at $99,888 USD (€73,477).

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Fisker's All-Electric Karma Sports Sedan Makes Driving Debut at Monterey

Posted by Mr Dung Tuesday, August 18, 2009

One of the most anticipated newcomers of the year, Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV for short, made its public driving debut over the weekend at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Behind the wheel of the 403-horsepower sports saloon was Fisker Automotive co-founder and COO Bernhard Koehler who drove the Karma up to a top speed of 100mph or 160 km/h.

"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 can drive up to 50 miles or 80 km on a full-charge of the lithium ion battery pack and has a total range of 300 miles or around 480 km when employing the on-board generator that is powered by a 260HP four-cylinder gasoline engine sourced from General Motors. The two electric motors that drive the rear wheels develop a combined output of 403-horsepower allowing the Karma to reach 60mph (96 km/h) in under 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph or 201 km/h.

Sales of the Karma will begin towards the end of the year with pricing in the U.S. set at $87,900.

Via Carscoop

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Fisker Karma EV to Run at Monterey Historic Automobile Races

Posted by Mr Dung Saturday, July 25, 2009

We're not entirely sure if Fisker will have the first examples of the Karma up for sale in the last quarter of the year as the firm promised at the Detroit Show in January, but the plug-in hybrid sports sedan will make its official driving debut at the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races on Saturday, August 15. The pre-production prototype is scheduled to complete two laps on the 11-turn Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca course.

"The Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races is the best stage in the world for great moments in automotive history," said Henrik Fisker, Fisker CEO. "Fisker is honored to be a part of it."

The full-size sports sedan has a range of 50 miles (80 km) on a full charge of its Lithium-ion battery, and a total range of 300 miles (480 km ) thanks to an on-board generator powered by GM's 260hp Ecotec engine. Two electric motors producing a combined output of 403HP allow the Karma to reach 60mph (96km/h) in about six seconds and go on to a top speed of 125mph or 201 km/h.

Via carscoop