kuhlGREEN

With many orders taken allready as well in the USA as in Europe, carmakers Fisker have taken a slightly different approach in presenting their first model, the luxury plug-in hybrid electric Karma: about a hundred prototypes will be telling the story of what is to come soon. (Latest delay-news: not before 2011 that is.)

The story hasn’t really changed since the early drafts in 2008: the Fisker Karma will be a 4-seat eco-chic plug-in hybrid with a stunning design, low average emissions (lowest of the hybrids around now), use of eco-friendly materials for the interior. With the batteries positioned in the middle of the car between the passengers, as a sort of armrests, there's even room for luggage in the back. As the brochure–picture, far down, suggests this would make the car fit for some nice touring the countryside.
Besides that picture some unique pictures here from the showing in Hilversum.



It’s interesting to hear that, like competitors such as Tesla (although these are full electrics off course!), Fisker also has a future vision in which there’s place for different car-models, including a cabriolet, and a smaller model with codename Nina, to be presented in 2012. 
With the fuel-engine as ‘range extender’ Fisker tackles the problem of range that full electric cars might still face these days and for some years to come. Fisker hopes to make an interesting car now for these consumers that demand environmental friendliness AND luxury, which includes no empty batteries on a day in the country off course.
As batteries will get more powerfull, as well as solar-panels for that matter, one would not be surprised to see  Fisker-cars evolve into full-electrics the coming yars. In the mean time it will build its luxury demanding affluent clientèle, growing with the brand in size and in environmental-friendeliness. Remains to be seen. What was seen here in Hilversum looks promising indeed.

Two  electric engines deliver 400 hp / 300kW. On the batteries alone you should have a reach of abourt 50 miles or 80 kilometres. The 4 cilinder 2 litre injection will charge the batteries when the’re empty just so that you’re range will be extended to about 300 miles 480 km. It will then have an average fuel-usage  of only 3.5 litres per 100 km and an emission of 83 gr CO². 

From the second half of this year the first production cars will be deliverd to customers, exact time varying in different countries (f.e. the Netherlands March 2011) at about € 98.000,- taxes included. Fisker Automotive is based in California, USA. Danish CEO Henrik Fisker previously was a designer for Aston Martin.
Nice touch is the solar roof that will provide the power for the climate control. Looks good, as in modern, high-tech and green, and is good off course since it provides the so needed extra power.
For the interior choices between different sustainable materials can be made such as bamboo-wood or animal friendly leather.

See their website: Fisker Automotive