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Rediff.com  » Business » Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma
This article was first published 11 years ago

Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma

Last updated on: May 11, 2012 08:30 IST

Image: Let's have a look at this amazing car.
Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

Fisker Automotive is an American car company, founded in 2007, committed to producing electric vehicles with extended range that deliver uncompromised responsible luxury.

The Karma - Fisker's first production car - is a 403 hp luxury sedan and the world's first true electric vehicle with extended range. In addition to being a four-door four-passenger sedan with sport performance and striking sculptural design, the Karma is also one of the most efficient, low-emission vehicles available today.

Let's have a look at this amazing car.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The company is designing and developing the world's first line of premium electric plug-in hybrids representing the company's firm belief that environmentally conscious cars need not sacrifice passion, style, or performance.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

With the Karma, Fisker changed the perception of what an electric car could be: a high-style, high-performance luxury sedan.

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Tags: Fisker , Karma

Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The fully certified Fisker Karma, an all-new car with all-new technology from an all-new company, went from concept to showroom in less than 48 months and for much less cost than industry standard.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The Karma offers a unique package of world-class style and design combined with industry leading economy and the lowest emissions of nearly any production car.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

Starting in the US at $102,000 before $7,500 federal tax credits, the Fisker Karma is the only truly eco-conscious alternative to other luxury sedans in the same and higher price segments (e.g. Porsche Panamera S Hybrid; Maserati Quattroporte).

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

Fisker Automotive is ahead of European, Japanese and Korean manufacturers in the development of extended-range electric vehicles.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

Fisker Automotive is primarily privately funded, having raised more than $860 million in private equity financing since 2007. Despite receiving $528.7 million in Department of Energy loan guarantees, the company's success is not dependent on government money.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

Only about 1/3 of the total loan amount ($190 million) has been drawn, directed mostly at Karma design and development.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The Karma is the first and only advanced-technology vehicle supported by the DOE to successfully reach the public marketplace. It began arriving in showrooms 18 months after the company received final approval for the DOE loan.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

Fisker has generated more than $100 million in revenue from Karma sales since December 2011.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

In May 2011, Fisker Automotive opted to stop taking reimbursements from the DOE while the company entered negotiations to implement more realistic and achievable milestones.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

As a prudent business measure, project Nina has been temporarily put on hold until financing, either from the DOE or elsewhere, can be secured.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

Fisker Automotive remains committed to a long-term product plan that includes lower-priced, higher-volume Electric Vehicles with extended range.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The Karma combines the zero-emission efficiency of electric drive with the range and freedom of petrol-powered cars, due to its cutting-edge series hybrid powertrain technology.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The Karma is a pure series hybrid, driven by a pair of 120 kW (161 hp) electric motors that get their power from a 20 kWh lithium ion battery supplied by A123 Systems.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The battery pack runs down the center of the car, between the pairs of left-hand and right-hand seats, preventing a rear bench and seating four rather than five passengers.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

Once the battery is depleted, or when the driver presses the "Sport" mode button, the front-mounted 260-hp, 2.0-liter Ecotec four-cylinder direct-injected and turbocharged petrol engine switches on to power a generator that sends electricity directly to the drive motors.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The engine is sourced by General Motors. Unlike the Chevrolet Volt, the Karma's engine is mated with a generator to provide an electrical connection to the motors and also recharge the batteries, and as such the electric motors are the only mechanical driving force connected to the wheels.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

However, in all-electric mode, the Karma is around half as efficient as the Volt. The proprietary Q-Drive hybrid drive train is supplied by Quantum Technologies, which operates in a joint venture with Fisker Coachbuild known as Fisker Automotive.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The Karma includes as standard a solar paneled roof manufactured by Asola Advanced and Automotive Solar Systems GmbH, a Quantum Technologies affiliate, not only to aid in the recharging of its lithium-ion batteries but also to aid the cabin climate control system.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The solar roof is capable of generating a half kilowatt-hour a day and is estimated to provide up to four to five miles (6.4-8.0km) of additional range a week assuming continuously sunny days.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

Additionally, the car will offer a set of solar panels for the garage/house which may charge the Karma without the benefit of conventional electrical sources (e.g. 'off the grid').

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The Karma's two 201 brake horsepower (204 PS) motors produce 1,300 newton metres (960 lbf ft) of torque.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The Karma features a 125 mph (201km/h) top speed and is capable of reaching 60 mph (97km/h) from a standstill in 6.3 seconds.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

The base model features an 'eco-friendly interior', including salvaged/reclaimed lumber.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

Optional leather seating is available, but it will use much more of the cow hide than would customarily be found on luxury models; hides with scratches and other marks (which should not affect functionality) will be used.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

Fisker was born when founders Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler surveyed the existing automotive landscape and found it built upon history, a history that was defined by limitations.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler, who share over 51 years of combined experience in the automotive world, decided to forge a new and radical perspective on what is possible in the automotive world.

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Amazing images of electric car, Fisker Karma


Photographs: Courtesy, Fisker Automotive

They concluded that reinvention is no substitute for a fresh start so they started with a clean sheet of paper. In 2007, they founded Fisker Automotive, a true automobile manufacturer which introduced the world's first premium hybrid electric vehicle, the Fisker Karma.