autoevolution
 

Segment: Exotic
Production years: 2011, 2012

FISKER Karma 2011-2012 13 Photos
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The Karma was designed by a Danish automotive designer name Henrik Fisker, the same person who designed luxury cars such as the BMW z8, the Aston Martin DB9, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and others.

As expected, the Karma had a beautiful sporty, attractive design and it was built as a environmentally friend. Considered one of the weirdest luxury sedans, the starting price of the basic Karma was around $103,000 and went up to $120,000 for the top-of-the-range model.

Unfortunately, the Karma didn’t have a long life and went out of production in a little over one year. Why? Several customers reported battery supply issues, thus the sales dropped quickly.

The Karma was equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and two electric motors, together producing over 400 hp.

Inside the Karma were the most unexpected, distinctive features. The starting button had “EVer” written on it, and EVer was actually an acronym coming from “electric vehicle with extended range”, badge that could also be seen on the outside, on the side and the back.

The center console featured with window controls, as well as two cupholders.

The gear selector did not have a lever, there were actually buttons for selecting the gear, and all of them formed a diamond shape.

Whenever selecting a gear, a green light flashed under the glass panel located in the center console. The green light would flash differently depending on the gear selected, indicating the direction in which the driver was going to move.

The Karma did not have the traditional door handles, but rather electronic door poppers. A button was placed on the door panels and when actioned, the door would open electronically.

At a first glance, the distinctive steering wheel was equipped with paddle shifters. However, the paddles were actually used to change the driving mode.

press release
FISKER Karma 2011, 2012
  1 hybrid engine
  • 2.0L 1Speed (400 HP)

FISKER Karma
2.0L 1Speed (400 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 1Speed (400 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:2000 cm3
Power:193.9 KW @ 5300 RPM
263.6 HP @ 5300 RPM
260 BHP @ 5300 RPM
Torque:260 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM
353 Nm @ 2000 RPM
Fuel System:Direct Injection
Fuel:Hybrid
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:124 mph (200 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):6.1 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:single gear
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Brembo 370x34mm 2-piece rotors w/ 6-piston calipers
Rear:Brembo 365x28mm single piece rotors w/ 4-piston calipers
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:255/35R22 || 285/35RR
DIMENSIONS
Length:196.8 in (4999 mm)
Width:84 in (2134 mm)
Height:52.4 in (1331 mm)
Front/rear Track:66.6/67 in (1,692/1,702 mm)
Wheelbase:124.4 in (3160 mm)
Ground Clearance:5.6 in (142 mm)
Cargo Volume:6.9 cuFT (195 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.313
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:5300 lbs (2404 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:118 mpg US (2 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:51 g/km
Notes
The Fisker patented EVer™ technology uses an electric generator and battery pack to power the dual electric motors to drive the wheels, giving the Karma a range of up to 50 miles of electric driving. After 50 miles, the internal combustion gasoline engine engages to support the electric motors for an additional range of 250 miles. (Note: the plug-in hybrid is never run by the engine. The engine provides the energy to run the electric motors).

Motors: Two rear-mounted electric traction motors, mid-mounted lithium ion battery pack and front/mid-mounted range-extending gasoline engine/generator set

Battery: 20 kWh, 180 kW lithium ion w/Nanophosphate™ technology (A123 Systems)

Range-extending gasoline Engine/Generator set: 2.0-liter, 260hp, low-emission, four-cylinder direct fuel-injection w/ turbocharger (GM Ecotec) and 175 kW generator

Traction motors: 403 hp (300 kW) total [2 x 201.5 hp (150 kW)]
Torque: 981 lb.-ft (1300 Nm)
Transmission: Single-ratio gearbox/Limited Slip Differential combination


The Fisker Karma’s efficiency has been assessed by Technischer Üeberwachungs Verein (TÜV), Europe’s recognized automotive certification agency, with the vehicle achieving a combined cycle figure of 135 UK mpg (2l/100 km or 112 US mpg) and a CO2 emission figure of 51 grams per km.
The extended range electric vehicle has also had its all-electric range of 51.6 mils (83 km) validated. As for the Sport mode driving, this brings a combined fuel economy of 31 UK mpg (9.2 liters per 100 km or 25.8 US mpg).
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