Another big time article for Fisker, just after the spread in Popular Science now the New York Times has picked up the story.

Fisker was founded in the summer of 2007, and many people have been eagerly anticipating the Karma. And why not? The car is undeniably attractive, with a compelling environmental story and (at least on paper) rip-roaring high performance. Henrik Fisker, the chief executive, is also a charismatic figure. But just months from the car’s debut, very few people outside the company have driven it. (The crown prince of Denmark got a Karma ride to a climate conference.)

Popular Science wrote about the Karma in its May issue, calling Fisker’s secrecy “worrisome.” The magazine also posed questions and noted that the company “is on its third battery supplier in three years.” In the positive column, the article cited “a highly respected founder, attractive prototypes and a half-billion-dollar loan.”

[Source: The New York Times]

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Russell Datz from Fisker Automotive says:

“The unit will be available to Karma buyers as an option – price to be determined, but nothing outrageous. It will enable US owners to charge their Karmas in about 6 hours. A full 50 mile charge costs about $2 based on a US average electric rate of $0.10/kWh.”

Most of the time the car will not require a full charge so to top off it off will take much less time.

The unit is manufactured by Lear Corporation based in Southfield, MI. They are also working on parts and charging units for the Chevrolet Volt, as well as hybrid models from BMW, Land Rover and Renault.

[Source: Fisker Automotive; Lear Corporation]

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Bo over at EVcast was able to get Russell Datz on the phone to talk a little about all the recent events.

Interview Highlights:

Karma is the technology leader that will enable the research needed to create the lower cost next car.

The “Project Nina” name is  indicative of going from the old world to the new.

Some reports about the DoE loan were misleading at best. Perhaps intentionally deceptive to increase the ratings.

PHEV market projected to be $400 billion by 2030.

Karma preproduction on schedule for 4th quarter 2009. Series production begins May of 2010. Deliveries set for Summer of 2010.

Interview begins at 24:00 minute mark.

[Source: EVcast]

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The Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will emit just 83g CO2/km and have an economy rating of 3.5L/100km, according to SAE methodology measuring emissions for plug-in hybrids. Making its German debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week, the four-door Karma will be one of the cleanest, most fuel-efficient cars in the world, but will still offer world-class style and performance.

Calculations developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) estimate carbon dioxide output will be less than that of today’s cleanest production cars and 75 percent less than that of competing vehicles, on average. SAE is an internationally recognized organization of experts that help drive government automotive policy.

Some 941 million liters (248 million gallons) of gasoline could be saved and 2.3 million metric tons (2.5 million US tons) of CO2 offset from sales of 15,000 Karmas per year through 2016. Still, with 403hp and more torque than many supercars, 0-100km/h (62mph) takes about six seconds and maximum speed is 201km/h (125mph).

“The Fisker Karma is the future of driving,” said Henrik Fisker, CEO. “It proves we can drive environmentally responsible cars without sacrificing the emotional things that made us fall in love with cars in the first place.” Fueling the Karma could cost just €0.02/km ($0.03/mile), consuming as little as 21 kilowatt hours per 100km in its electric-only Stealth mode, according to SAE methodology. However, a real-world annual average would be closer to €0.05/km ($0.07/mile) based on a mix of Stealth and Sport (gasoline) mode use. Actual economy and emission results will vary depending on individual driving habits and usage requirements.

In Stealth mode—engaged on demand via steering wheel-mounted paddle switches — the Karma can be driven into the growing number of traffic-restricting Low Emissions Zones (LEZ) across Europe. Some 70 cities and towns in eight European countries have opted for LEZs, including Berlin, Stuttgart, London and Amsterdam.

The Karma will be the first production Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) when it goes on sale in 2010. Its exclusive Q-DRIVE® powertrain is expected to deliver an emission-free 80km (50mi) per full charge of its 22kWh/200kW Lithium-ion battery, and a total extended range of more than 480km through the use of its gasoline powered engine/generator.

Fisker Automotive is poised to benefit immensely as support from countries around the world for clean vehicles increases. For example, the US has announced its intention to put 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on its roads by 2015.  Germany recently unveiled an action plan to have 1 million electric cars on its roads by 2020. Japan wants electric vehicles to make up half of all vehicle sales within a decade.

[Source: Fisker Automotive]

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The title of the original article is “Fisker CEO has plans for smaller electric car in 2010.” I’m not sure that got it quite right. None the less there is some interesting information here. First, we hear that there is a plan for yet another vehicle to be built on the Karma platform. No official  word has been given however, speculation is that it could be some sort of  crossover vehicle or a two door coup. Beyond that more information is given about a higher volume, lower priced car.

Pontiac {Michigan} will be at the center of the action, according to the head of Fisker Automotive, as he plots the company’s strategy for moving into the less-expensive end of the vehicle market.

Henrik Fisker, founder and chief executive officer of Fisker Automotive, said that now is “the most dramatic change in the history of cars. It’s the first time in 30 or 40 years where new start-up car companies have a real chance. They really haven’t had any chance in the last 30 or 40 years because they would just come up with another gasoline-powered car and nobody needs that.”

Fisker is preparing to launch a new plug-in hybrid early in 2010.

“What you’re seeing now is these start-up companies like Fisker Automotive — we have the technology — that we’re actually more experienced than the big car companies,” Fisker said, whose new automotive company is based in Irvine, Calif. Fisker established a technical center in Pontiac last fall.

“You can compare that to guys that started Google, or Apple with iPhone. You have these things happening when you have a dramatic new technology. You find people are willing to try new technology or even a new design,” Fisker said.

Fisker has already lined up dealers to sell the four-door Fisker Karma in early 2010, but he has more ambitious plans — including a lower-priced vehicle that uses the same plug-in hybrid technology.

“We’re first doing the four-door and then we’re doing the convertible and then we’re planning some third derivative off the Karma platform. Then we’re planning a high-volume vehicle for a lower price. We’ve applied for a Department of Energy grant. If that loan comes through, we’ll have this vehicle on the road in 29 months,” he said.

[Source: The Oakland Press]

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“We’re setting up to do all the interface with all our suppliers (in Pontiac) and we’re gearing it up to start work on the next project, which will be a much higher-volume car and will have different construction than the Karma. We will use our learnings on how to integrate the technology.”

Last month, Fisker Automotive received an additional $85 million in venture capital funding for the development and manufacturing of its plug-in hybrid automobiles. That represented the largest injection of capital into Fisker since its founding in August 2007.

The investment by Eco-Drive and Kleiner Perkins, one of Silicon Valley’s leading venture capital firms, “validates our vision of joining together the advances in technology for plug-in hybrid powertrains with the eco-chic beauty and eco-conscious comfort of the Fisker Karma,” Fisker said.

The Fisker plug-in hybrid has been honored in the Conde Nast Traveler Innovation and Design Awards 2009. The award celebrates excellence in 10 categories — from sustainability to transport. Online voters selected the Karma over 15 other category entrants, including the Honda FCX Clarity and Nissan Cube.

[Source: The Oakland Press]

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For the dozens of folks in attendance who saw the car live for the first time, there was a collective gasp of excitement for the car’s sleek lines and luxurious, leather-clad interior.

And this wasn’t just a static display. As the photo-hungry crowd still busily snapped away, Fisker quietly — no, silently — slipped away down the road, in a 400-horsepower luxury beast that he hopes will change the way we see green. Stay tuned for how this electrifying race plays out.

Attendees at the Orange County Forum Luncheon get their First Taste of Karma

Of course not one to give up an opportunity Henrik also made time to talk about future production plans and that oh so meaningful DOE loan. As important as a successful launch of the Karma is to Fisker, having the cash to quickly ramp up development of a low cost model is even more.

While speaking at an Orange County Forum luncheon Wednesday in Irvine, Fisker not only showed off a running version of the Karma in person, but also spoke about the ideology of his company and even shed a little — but only a little — more info about another car that the company has in the works.

He said his private company has already received “well over $100 million” in venture capital, and hopes it can obtain a Department of Energy loan to spur production of its next car, which Fisker aims to sell in the $40,000 range.

Fisker declined to reveal what kind of car this lower-cost, higher-volume one would be, but the goal is to eventually make 100,000 units a year, and — unlike the Finnish-built Karma — for them to be made in the United States.

{Read Full Story}

[Source: OC Register]

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The stylish Karma, a plug-in gasoline hybrid, doesn't quite look like the quintessential eco car.

Even as Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Rolls-Royces prowled the avenue, the obscure silver sedan parked at the curb gathered its share of stares and curiosity.

The Fisker Karma, as it is called, has looks that rival a Mercedes-Benz roadster. Yet the key to what makes it different is emblazoned on the sides in chrome letters: Plug-in Hybrid.

The maker, Fisker Automotive, is trying to carve out a niche in what is fast becoming a crowded field of next-generation electric vehicles: a high-performance eco-car loaded with style.

The company has taken more than 1,400 refundable deposits so far for the Karma, which has a starting price of $87,900 and can top $100,000. The car can be driven for 50 miles on electric power alone before its auxiliary gasoline engine fires up to generate more juice and extend the range to up to 300 miles. The engine never directly drives the wheels.

{Read Full Article}

[Source: USA Today]

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