2010 fisker karma
The 2010 Fisker Karma aims to strike a balance between performance and environmental responsibility.

Consumer Guide’s Impressions of the 2010 Fisker Karma

Forget the Prius, Hollywood. Now there’s a hybrid sedan promising star-quality “eco-chic” style, size, luxury and performance. The $80,000 Karma is conspicuous consumption with a conscience. But is it real, or just another over-hyped vanity project?

What We Know About the 2010 Fisker Karma

Our dictionary defines karma as “the force generated by a person’s actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration, and in its ethical consequences to determine his destiny in his next existence.” Noted auto designer Henrik Fisker certainly touts the “green ethics” of his new Karma hybrid luxury sedan, but we doubt he believes in reincarnation.

No matter. The 2010 Fisker Karma is either a new DeLorean destined to disappoint or a genuine breakthrough in gasoline/electric cars. Imagine: a large, swoopy sports-luxury sedan that does 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds, runs 50 pollution-free miles on electricity, and plugs in to recharge an advanced lithium-ion battery pack. And all for a scarcely believable starting price of around $80,000. Sounds too good to be true--and maybe it is. Many observers are skeptical of the Karma, not least because Fisker Automotive, the Irvine, California-based company set up to build and sell it, has yet to answer some key questions. Nevertheless, the Karma premiered at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show with Mr. Fisker declaring the car is on schedule to start production in the fourth quarter of 2009.

You can think of the 2010 Fisker Karma as a big-bling take on General Motors’ Chevrolet Volt concept. Both presuppose a lithium-ion battery pack for spinning an electric motor to drive the wheels--the rears in this case. As in other hybrids, the batteries can be juiced while driving by a generator running off a small four-cylinder gas engine, but they can also be plugged in for recharging, thanks to the batteries’ L-I chemistry. As with the Volt, the Karma’s gas engine--still to be described, by the way--is used only for charging; it does not drive the vehicle directly. But what really raises eyebrows is that claimed 50-mile electric-only range, which exceeds GM’s quote for the smaller, lighter Volt. How do they do it? Sorry, that’s a secret between Fisker Automotive and powertrain partner Quantum Technologies.

We do know that the 2010 Fisker Karma’s Q Drive hybrid system has two operating modes: a so-called “Stealth” electric-only program and a “Sport Drive,” engaged by a steering-wheel paddle, to “access the full power of the vehicle.” The latter presumably means lots of work for the four-cylinder battery-charger--and thus some nasty carbon emissions--but Mr. Fisker describes the Sport-mode soundtrack as a cross between a jet plane and a Formula 1 racing car. Swell. By the way, Q Drive mirrors most other hybrid systems by incorporating regenerative braking as a third means for battery charging.

Those batteries are placed along the car’s “spine” within a full-length center console, hence the four-seat interior. The engine and other drive components are up front. This arrangement, plus “extensive use of lightweight materials” and a “low and wide stance” allegedly give the 2010 Fisker Karma a “low center of gravity” and “optimal weight distribution” for “optimal weight and driving dynamics.” Too bad the current specs chart has no numbers supporting those claims, nor the quoted 125-mph top speed. Horsepower and torque? N/A for now. Ditto battery type and supplier. Curb weight isn’t listed either, an omission we find telling, as the Karma is bound to be fairly heavy with its bulky battery pack, full-house luxury equipment and midsize unibody structure.

Speaking of size, the 2010 Fisker Karma is about 2.3 inches longer and a whopping 4.4 inches wider than a Mercedes-Benz CLS sedan, yet hunkers some four inches lower despite the likely use of massive 22-inch lightweight alloy wheels, as shown at Detroit. Styling was supervised by Mr. Fisker, if not actually penned by him, and is as dramatic as any of his signature designs like the late BMW Z8 and the handsome Aston Martin DB9. The Karma is sleek, muscular, and very coupe-like, highlighted by four prominent fender “haunches,” classic long-hood/short-deck performance-car proportions, a gracefully sloped roofline, and those big wheels pushed right to the corners. The overall effect is like a crouched lion ready to spring, and that’s surely intentional. As a company press release burbles: “The Fisker Karma allows consumers to practice good Karma--driving a car that is environmentally friendly--without sacrificing the extreme comfort and style of the luxury automobile category.” So that’s why they chose the name.

Though many issues are yet to be decided, the 2010 Fisker Karma will be a modern marvel if it lives up to even half its hype. But this isn’t the first time a big-ego David has tried to beat the industry Goliaths with an “ethical” high-tech product. We mentioned the DeLorean, but we also remember the equally ill-fated mid-1970s Bricklin.

On the other hand, Henrik Fisker is a highly respected and credible industry figure, and Fisker Automotive has attracted solid financial backing--an estimated $10 million--from venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, which counts none other than Al Gore among its board members. (A recent Wall Street Journal report says the Oscar winner, Nobel laureate, and former vice president “wants to order” a Karma.) Also, Fisker Automotive seems quite realistic about sales, though its 15,000-unit yearly target for the Karma seems rather ambitious for a “boutique” automaker.

Can it work? Will it work? We’re still awaiting solid proof, but we do wish Mr. Fisker and his associates all the good karma they get can get. They’re going to need it.

2010 fisker karmaThe 2010 Fisker Karma will sell for around $80,000.

A Notable Feature of the 2010 Fisker Karma

Standard and optional equipment have yet to be disclosed, and are probably not even decided at this point, but the 2010 Fisker Karma will offer at least one major option. It’s a full-length solar-cell roof panel that provides “self-contained climate control” by generating extra power to cool or heat the car, especially when parked. Otherwise, it would help keep the batteries charged. The solar-cell roof isn’t a new idea, but it is logical for what is basically a pure-electric car. Also notable, if less significant, is a planned Signature Edition package for the first 99 Karmas built. This, too, has yet to be finalized, but the company says the color-and-trim combination will be similar to that of the Detroit show car. Early adopters and future collectors, the line forms here.

Buying Advice for the 2010 Fisker Karma

The retail experience will be Ferrari, not Ford. Though Fisker Automotive is still forming a dealer network, it’s bound to be quite small and centered on major metro markets. The company promises that retailers “will provide a uniquely personal approach,” including ”optional video conferencing with an expert at Fisker Automotive headquarters.” In addition, vehicle delivery and service are to be scheduled at the customer’s convenience. With all this and the announced $80,000 base price, you can forget any deals and be prepared to compete with affluent tech-savvy greenies for space on the wait list.

2010 Fisker Karma Release Date: Fisker plans to begin customer deliveries in late 2009, soon after production gets underway, though that assumes no unexpected delays from technical or manufacturing glitches. Meantime, the company is accepting pre-orders at www.fiskerautomotive.com. A “premium order” deposit of $5,000 is required on the first 99 Signature Edition cars, a $1,000 down payment thereafter.

2010 Fisker Karma First Test Drive: Specialty automakers like Fisker play by their own rules in catering to the press. But the company needs to keep buzz going, so we’d look for initial seat time come summer or early fall of 2009.

2010 Fisker Karma Prices: The announced $80,000 base price is tentative as of early 2008. Fisker says it won’t have a final figure until just before the late-2009 production start, and there’s a chance it could be somewhat higher. Stay tuned.

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