Fisker Plug-in Hybrid Coming in 2009

Just one year after upstart carmaker Fisker Automotive unveiled its concept Karma plug-in hybrid sports car, the company is set to pull the wraps off the production version at the coming 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Fisker plans to begin customer deliveries in November 2009 and says that production is already sold out until the middle of 2010.

With its base price of $87,900, the Karma is targeted at luxury performance car buyers looking for ‘greener’ alternatives. The powertrain feature’s Fisker’s ‘Q-drive,’ developed by Quantum Technologies, which offers dual high-power electric traction motors and a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct injection four-cylinder gas engine. The two electric motors produce a combined 408 horsepower and pavement wrenching 959 lbs-ft of torque. Add another 260 horsepower from the gasoline engine and you have a 4,650 pound sedan that can launch from 0-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds and deliver a sustained top speed of 125 mph.

If you think that doesn’t sound very green, think again. Nobody ever said ‘green’ cars have to be boring. The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid with an electric range of 50 miles, so for many missions it can be operated without burning a drop of gasoline. Further, the Karma offers three operating modes. The default mode is ‘Stealth,’ with a balanced blend of performance and efficiency for everyday driving. In Stealth mode, the Karma is said to be capable of achieving 95 mph on electric drive and battery power only. When maximum performance is desired, ‘Sport’ mode delivers quick acceleration and higher cruising speeds. ‘HEV’ is a charge-sustaining mode for maximum efficiency.

Power for the electric drive is stored in an advanced lithium-ion battery pack mounted mid-ship in the center tunnel for a low center of gravity and balanced handling. The Advanced Lithium Power battery has a maximum storage capacity of 22.6 kW hours and can deliver peak electric power at 200 kW or 500 amps at 400 volts. To optimize performance and safe operation, Fisker is using multiple levels of software and hardware alongside safe cell chemistry for the battery pack.

In addition to recharging from regenerative braking, the Karma also has an impressive solar array bonded flush into the roof surface. The solar panel is comprised of four electrically separate zones of 20 cells in series. This is a smart system, with each zone utilizing MPP tracking to optimize solar radiation angles for maximum power output. Fisker says the solar array can produce 0.5 kWh per day.

Complementing this car’s outstanding environmental performance is styling that’s just simply stunning. This four-door sports sedan is low, sleek, and aggressive. It has a powerful stance, which is nicely accentuated by wide low rolling resistance Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 radials mounted on huge 22-inch five spoke alloy wheels. To ensure a rigid body structure, Fisker is building the Karma with a lightweight aluminum space-frame. It is said to fulfill all current crash standards with high torsion and bending stiffness targets. This aids suspension tuning and helps achieve Fisker’s goal of combining the fun-to-drive characteristics of a sports car with the desirable qualities of a grand touring sedan.

Few details are known about the production interior design, which Fisker plans to unveil at the 2009 NAIAS in Detroit. If exterior styling is any indication, however, expect it be a mix of luxury and sportiness with a high level of functionality.

Fisker is planning to assemble the Karma at Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland. This is the same world-class manufacturing facility that produces the Porsche Boxster and Cayman. Once production is up to speed, Fisker hopes to produce 15,000 cars per year. The current business plan calls for 40 retailers to be established in the U.S. by October 2009, with half of those to be announced as early as January. Expect European pricing at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Things are happening fast at Fisker Automotive, so stay tuned. We’ll bring you a full update on the latest developments from the NAIAS show floor in Detroit.