The Fisker Karma is a luxury plug-in hybrid that is due to be officially released in 2010.  Currently, there are prototypes that have circulated at auto shows and most recently at the Mazda Racetrack Laguna Seca.  The car is sleek, sporty, incredibly fast and powerful.

Fisker Automotive, started in 2007, is a joint venture between Fisker Coachbuild, LLC and Quantum Technologies.  As Michael Jones has previously reported, the car designer is Henrik Fisker who formerly designed BMWs.  The goal of the company is to produce “a range of beautiful environmentally friendly cars that make environmental sense without compromise.”

Just like Tesla Motors powerful all electric sports car, Fisker’s hybrid Karma is going to be a pricey proposition for anyone who decides to purchase one.  Starting price for the Karma is $87,900, clearly up there in the nosebleed section of car prices.

Will the Fisker Karma be worth it?  Well, earlier this week the powerful little car hit the Mazda Racetrack in California to show off what it has under the hood.  The car turned in a very respectable speed of 100 mph in electric only mode and was able to go from 0 – 60 mph in just six seconds.  The top speed for the Karma is listed as 125 mph.

The Karma is capable of going 50 miles on battery power alone and 300 miles once the gas powered generator kicks in.  Fisker claims that gives the Karma gas mileage of 100 mpg.  For a sports car with twin 403 hp electric engines, that gas mileage is quite good, although not as good as the more modest GM Volt’s purported 230 mpg.

The company boasts that the car not only has low emissions and tremendous fuel efficiency, but also embodies the company’s environmental mission with the sustainability of its materials.

The wood used in the car comes from trees that have naturally fallen in the woods, trees from the bottom of lakes, and salvaged trees from forest fires.  The leather for the “EcoSport” series is obtained from a partner using “Happy Cow” policies, whatever they may be.  The “EcoChic” series uses animal free materials including a special “100 percent Bamboo Viscose” cloth.

For those of us on a more modest budget, the Fisker Karma is an “environmentally friendly car” that will never make it to our driveways.  No matter how much we may admire the power and speed.

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Entry was posted on Thursday, August 20th, 2009 at 8:02 pm under Auto, Green Technology.

Read more entries by Susan Wilson.
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