Fisker Begins Production of The Karma

by Mike -

This article was first published as Fisker Begins Production of The Karma Plug-In-Hybrid Four Door Sedan on Technorati.

Fisker Automotive, a California based start-up, began production of the Karma plug-in hybrid sedan this week at the Valmet Automotive's plant located in Uusikaupunki, Finland. Valmet Automotive also manufactures the Boxster and Cayman for Porsche.

The car is priced at $88,000 in the US and the target production number is 7,000 this year. This plug-in-hybrid has a range of 50 miles on the electric motor alone. The gasoline engine is a 2-liter turbo boosted front mounted unit that produces 260 hp. There are two electric motors in the rear that increase the power output to 403 hp total.

According to the company the top speed is 95 MPH and the Karma can accelerate from 0 to 62 MPH in 7.9 seconds in electric mode only and in hybrid Sport mode it will go 0 to 62 MPH in 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 125 MPH.

The range is estimated at 300 miles while getting 100 mpg. The styling is also impressive, nothing like a Prius. Fisker has beaten rival Tesla to market with a family sedan.

Solar panels on the roof.

Click on the images for a larger view and watch the short video, although there is no reason to have the sound on.