Thursday 16th September 2010

Production-Ready Fisker Karma Set For Paris

Green super-saloon finally ready for buyers - lady not included

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A production-ready version of the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sports saloon will finally be unveiled at the Paris motor show in a week or two's time.

After a protracted gestation period - the original car was revealed at the Detroit motor show way back at the beginning of 2008 and orders were supposed to start towards the end of 2009 - the first 'factory-built' Karma is officially heading for Paris, with deliveries to start soon after.

Described by the company as the world's first premium plug-in hybrid, the Karma uses a pair of 200hp electric motors to whisk it to a top speed of 125mph and from 0-62mph in 5.9secs. When the juice from the lithium ion battery cells fades, there's also a 260hp, 2.0-litre petrol motor to keep things moving.

The price for the Karma starts from $87,900 (that's £56,367 in Queen's English), and it doesn't include the swimsuit-clad lady - although you'd never get all your ancillary electrics to work properly with her lying on top of the solar panels on the roof...

[Baffled Spoon]

Loos rather good. Much better than most of the other posh 4 doors out at the moment.

[mrclav]

I agree - I also like the interior a lot.

[anonymous-user]

Suddenly, the Tesla is looking a wee bit expensive........ (ok, ok, it was always expensive, but if that car is properly screwed together, £56k is actually very decent money!)

[mikefacel]

Brings a whole new meaning to roof "rack".

How much is that option anyway? And can you get two on the roof at once?

[simonpg]

I think that looks fantastic.

[ManOpener]

simonpg said:

I think that looks fantastic.

+1. It reminds me of the Aston saloon, but much, much prettier.
Can we have a (pure) petrol one please?

Edited by ManOpener on Thursday 16th September 11:03

[frank hovis]

Certainly looks the part

Wonder if you get cheap road tax with being a hybrid ?

[NitroNick]

Awesome car!
Looks fantastic, good performance, well priced and will keep the tree huggers off your back. Sweet!
I suspect its a 2ltr turbo or supercharge (or both) as 260 bhp from a 2 ltr na seems to be pushing it.

[daveco]

The design has dated very poorly imo. Too dependent on mahoosive wheels.

[soad]

Rather like that.

Erm, wheels do look on the big side - side view.

[bob1179]

I actually like it too, except for that front end, it just looks a bit too 'gapey'.

[petemurphy]

sure beats a prius

[louiebaby]

I've always liked the design of these...

I still do.

[soad]

petemurphy said:

sure beats a prius

[[AJ]]

I like the car in general, but I'm not a fan of the front grill, it reminds me of a 1920's Gatsby-esque moustache. They have made the front end look a lot better than their early concepts, but I still can't forgive the grill!

[louismchuge]

don't like the technology behind it but aesthetically that looks great!

[Swoxy]

Looks like a Gran Turismo crossed with a Rapide.

[DrRazzle]

[marcosgt]

Don't Fisker just 'rebody' existing cars?

If so, anyone know what lies under the skin of this?

M.

[chim]

I really really like this, at that price I may be very tempted to buy. Would make a great every day car. Damn site nicer than the current barge offerings and I get to go a bit green in to the bargain.