THE NATURE OF TECHNOLOGY
The Karma uses Q-DRIVE plug-in hybrid technology, developed exclusively for Fisker Automotive by Quantum Technologies. A fully-charged Karma burns no fuel for the first 50 miles. Venture further and the gasoline engine turns a generator to charge the lithium ion battery. Once the 50-mile electric range has been exceeded, the car operates as a normal hybrid vehicle.
This balance of electric and gas range makes it entirely possible that Karma drivers who charge their car overnight and commute less than 50 miles a day will achieve an average fuel economy of 100 mpg (2.4L/100km) per year.
With the launch of Fisker Automotive, Fisker was inspired to keep the excitement alive in car design. This time a new element was considered in the overall design – to deliver a beautiful car that makes environmental sense. Environmentally friendly, plug-in hybrid cars don’t have to be bland in design. The focus was to creating a design which delivers the ECO-CHIC factor – an environmentally friendly car with a futuristic design delivering sculpture, dramatic proportion and all without compromise.
The stance of the first design, the Fisker Karma, is wide and low. It delivers dramatic proportions for a four-door sports sedan that one would not anticipate — the height of a Porsche 911, length of a Mercedes Benz CLS and the width of a BMW 7 Series. The sleek design accents the long hood and is a direct result of our breakthrough chassis. Fisker was able to incorporate many of the aspects a designer would dream of in designing a car – the design takes the technology and proves that the best technology can be wrapped up in a beautiful package.
In traditional Henrik Fisker fashion, the first designs showcased to the public are what the customer will own as an end result. Fisker doesn’t believe in wowing the audience and then changing the design when it comes time to produce the car. The development approach is to focus on creating sketches, which are then carried into the clay model phase. We couple this with the latest in digital tools for high efficiency and optimal development time turn around.
The interior design of the car is an equally important element of design. A modern, sophisticated and luxurious finish is delivered in all Fisker Automotive designs
Charge the Karma using clean electricity for a truely Zero Emissions driving experience.
The Fisker Karma will offer partly self-contained climate control, as consumers will have the option to purchase a full-length solar roof that will help charge the car and provide cooling for the interior cabin while the car is parked. Additionally, Fisker Automotive will offer consumers an option to purchase a set of solar panels for their roofs or garages where they can generate electricity during the day to charge the car overnight…again cost and emission free.
Statistics show that the majority of pollution from automobiles occurs on consumers’ daily commute to and from work or dropping the kids off at school. Currently, more than 60% of Americans and Europeans are driving less than 50 miles (80km) on their daily commute. If this 60% of commuters would drive a plug-in hybrid like the Fisker Karma, we could see the fastest possible reduction both in oil consumption and emissions – all without sacrificing their daily driving habits. Additionally, plug-in hybrids have the potential to augment the planning of cleaner electrical power plants, ultimately producing a dramatic effect on our society and future generations.
Overview of Technical Specifications:
- Plug-in hybrid technology Q DRIVE
- 0-60 in less than 6 seconds (0-100 km/h 6 seconds)
- Top speed 125 mph (200 km/h)
- Two Driving Modes: The driver will be able to select between two modes of driving. The first mode is Stealth Drive, which is the quiet economy mode for optimal relaxed and efficient driving. By flipping the second paddle behind the steering wheel, the car will switch to Sport Drive, which will access the full power of the vehicle.
- Regenerative brakes featured to recapture braking energy
- Low center of gravity provides optimal sport vehicle driving dynamics
The Exterior
- All new from the ground up exterior design
- Low and wide stance
- All new drive train configuration with optimal weight distribution
- Extensive use of lightweight materials for panels used for optimal weight and driving dynamics
- Self-contained climate control through a full-length solar roof to help charge the car and provide cooling for the interior cabin while the car is parked
- 22-inch lightweight alloy wheels
- LED tail-lamps
- Driver visibility – Front fenders visible with a view of the long hood
The Interior
- Fisker’s material philosophy balances sensuality with accountability by carefully sourcing classic automotive materials from environmentally conscious partners.
- Wood trim is sourced from non-living trees such as naturally “fallen trees” as a result of age, “rescued trees” from naturally occurring fires in California, and “sunken trees” found on American lake bottoms.
- The faceted edges of our EcoGlass, made from naturally recyclable sand, offer a luster and brilliance that adds richness and life, underlining the physical strength from its layered glass and resin construction.
- Our most advanced sustainable material series, “EcoChic,” is based on a completely animal-free approach that offers the most luxurious automotive environment. This series uses a soft hand textile composed of 100% Bamboo Viscose and frames authentic fossil leaves inside the EcoGlass.
- The Karma’s “EcoSport” series incorporates hand-wrapped premium leather from a partner with a 100% sustainable manufacturing strategy – utilizing over 85% of each hide. Design intent is to preserve the natural look and feel of the leather, while highlighting the uniqueness and “natural markings” of each individual hide
Dimensions
- Overall Length: 196.3 in.(4987 mm)
- Overall Width: 78.1 in. (1984 mm)
- Overall Height: 52.4 in. (1330 mm)
- Front Overhang: 35.9 in. (913 mm)
- Rear Overhang: 36.0 in. (914 mm)
- Wheelbase: 124.4 in (3160 mm)
- Front track: 66.5 in. (1689 mm))
- Rear track: 67.1 in (1720 mm)
