Fisker Karma
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that was produced by Fisker Automotive in
2011–2012. The cars were manufactured at Valmet
Protection Agency (EPA) rated the Karma's combined
city/highway fuel economy at 52 mpg-US (4.5 L/100 km;
62 mpg-imp) equivalent (MPG-e) in all-electric mode,
and at 20 mpg-US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg-imp) in gasoline-only mode. EPA's
official all-electric range is 32 mi (51 km).[3][6] Due to the very small cabin interior volume, the EPA rated
the Fisker Karma as a subcompact.[7]
After missing its initial late 2009 launch, and after the launch was rescheduled several times, the first
deliveries took place in the U.S. in late July 2011,[8][9][10] and deliveries to retail customers began in
November 2011.[6] Since December 2011 pricing in the U.S. starts atUS$102,000 for the basic model
, and US$116,000 for the top model.[11] Around 1,800 units were delivered in North America and Europe
through December 2012.[12]
Production was suspended in November 2012 due to financial difficulties,[13] with about 2,450 Karmas built
since 2011.[12] After furloughing its US workers in late March, 2013,[14] Fisker has hired a law firm to prepare
for a possible bankruptcy.[15]
Contents
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Manufacturer Fisker Automotive Production 2011-2012 Assembly Uusikaupunki, Finland by Valmet Automotive Class subcompact luxury sports sedan Body style 4-door sedan Layout front engine, rear wheel drive Combustion engine 2.0 litres (120 cu in) Turbocharged Ecotec VVT DI LNFI4 Electric motor two 120 kW (161 hp) motors, and 479 N·m torque[1]each Transmission 1-speed Prundletronic Drivetrain Series hybrid. The two electric motors drive the rear wheels through a limited slip differential, with a final drive ratio of 4:1.[2] Battery 20.1 kWh (72.4 MJ) lithium-ion battery[2] Range 230 mi (370 km)[3] Electric range 32 mi (51 km)[3] (EPA)
83 km (52 mi)[4] (TÜV) Wheelbase 124.4 in (3,160 mm) Length 195.67 in (4,970 mm) Width 78.11 in (1,984 mm) Height 51.57 in (1,310 mm) Curb weight 5,300 lb (2,400 kg) Related VL Destino Designer Henrik Fisker
History
83 km (52 mi)[4] (TÜV)
The Fisker Karma was revealed at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.[16] It is the
first car from Fisker Automotive, a new auto maker based in Anaheim, California, founded on 5 September
2007.[17]
Production began in July 2011,[5] and the first two deliveries took place in the United States on
July 26, 2011.[8][18] In October 2011 the first Karma delivered in the UK was auctioned to benefit Pratham
Specifications
The Karma is a pure series hybrid, driven by a pair of 120 kW (161 hp) electric motors that get their
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. 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 gasoline engine
powers a generator that sends electricity directly to the drive motors. The engine is sourced from General
Motors.[1][20] Like 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.
[1] However, in all-electric mode, the Karma is around half as efficient as the Volt.[20] 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.[21] The Karma's curb weight is 5,300 lb (2,400 kg).[1]
The Karma includes as standard[22] a solar paneled roof manufactured by Asola Advanced and Automotive
Solar Systems GmbH, a Quantum Technologies affiliate,[23] to aid the cabin climate control system.
The solar roof is capable of generating a half kilowatt-hour a day[24] and was estimated to provide
up to 4 to 5 miles (6.4–8.0 km) of additional range a week assuming continuously sunny days;[25]
however, the solar panels as delivered only recharge the 12-volt lead-acid accessory battery.[26
] Additionally, Fisker 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').
The Karma's two 201 brake horsepower (204 PS) motors produce 1,300 newton metres (960 lbf·ft)
60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 6.3 seconds.[29]
The base model features an 'eco-friendly interior', including salvaged/reclaimed lumber. The interior
space is rated as subcompact by the EPA.[30] 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.[31]
The Karma has a warning sound system designed to both alert pedestrians of its presence and
enhance the driver experience. The sound is emitted through a pair of external speakers embedded
in the bumper, and the sound-generator was developed by Fisker Automotive.[32][33] The warning sound is
emitted automatically and activated only when the car is traveling in all-electric mode at less than 25 mph
Fuel economy and range
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official all-electric range for the Fisker Karma is 32 mi
(51 km) under the agency's five-cycle tests using varying driving conditions and climate controls. EPA's estimated energy
consumption is 65 kWh per 100 miles (1462 kJ/km). The total range with a full tank of gasoline and a fully charged battery
is 230 miles (370 km). EPA's official rating for combined city/highway fuel economy in all-electric mode is 52miles per gallon
gasoline equivalent (MPG-e) (4.5 L gasoline equivalent/100 km; 62 mpg-imp gasoline equivalent). The EPA rating in gasoline-only mode is 20 mpg-US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg-imp).[35] Regarding EPA's rating Henrik Fisker, CEO and co-founder of Fisker Automotive commented that "...as with all electric
vehicles, range varies greatly on the conditions of the road and how you drive the car. We firmly believe that most owners will
The German Technical Inspection Association (TÜV) found through independent tests that the Fisker
Karma has an all-electric range of 83 km (52 mi) in stealth mode. TÜV found that in charge-sustaining
sport mode the Karma achieves a fuel economy of 26 mpg (9.2 l/100 km). The combined fuel economy
Production and delivery
reached an early agreement to manufacture the cars in Uusikaupunki, Finland. The Valmet factory
located there currently produces Porsche Boxster and Cayman models (until 2012), and has previously
produced various Saab models as well as some other cars. On November 13, 2008, the final assembly
contract was signed by both parties.[38]
In 2008 Fisker Automotive began accepting pre-orders in the US, and Europe and initially scheduled sales
of its Karma PHEV by the fourth quarter of 2009 in the US, and starting in 2010 in Europe.[39] In 2009
Henrik Fisker reported 1,300 orders for the Karma.[40] Henrik Fisker showed the first production model
Karma at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.[41] In July 2011, Fisker stated that it had received 3,000 pre-orders
and that the plug-in hybrid was sold out until early 2012.[5]
After re-scheduling the Karma market launch to September 2010, and missing its target to
build 70 to 100 test cars in 2010,[42] production began in July 2011,[5] and the two first deliveries
took place in the United States during the same month.[8] The Valmet plant in Finland began production
with five cars a week. By December 2011 the production rate was 25 units a day.[43] Production was
suspended in November 2012 due to financial difficulties,[13] with about 2,450 Karmas built since
fire and another 330 units were lost when an entire shipment from Europe was flooded while being
Deliveries to retail customers in the U.S. began in November 2011.[6] In the United States the first vehicles were
sold for US$95,900 for the basic model, and US$109,850 for the top model.[46] In December 2011 prices
- Retail sales
About 1,800 Karmas were delivered to customers in North America and Europe through December 2012,
of which, around 200 were delivered in 2011 and 1,600 in 2012.[12] A total of 247 units were sold in Europe
through December 2012.[47] More than 1,600 units have been delivered in the United States through
June 2013.[48][49] The Netherlands is the top selling European market for the Karma, with 166 units sold
Reception and controversies
Government investment
In 2010, the Department of Energy awarded Fisker a US$529 million green-energy loan, primarily to assist the
company in transitioning the Karma, which is assembled in Finland, into the American markets. Fisker
collected nearly US$200 million until February of 2012, when the government froze the loan because the
company was failing to meet the government's milestones. Three months later, in May, Fisker spokesman
Robert Ormisher told ABC News that negotiations with the DOE were ongoing, and "We're hoping for a
conclusion fairly soon." [56]
Recalls
In December 2011, Fisker recalled the first 239 Karmas built from July through November 3, 2011, and
delivered to the USA, due to a risk of battery fire caused by coolant leak. Of the 239 cars, fewer than
fifty had been delivered to customers, the rest were in dealerships, and at that time no car had been
involved in a fire. In the report filed by Fisker Automotive with the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, the carmaker said some hose clamps were not properly positioned, which could allow
a coolant leak. "If coolant enters the battery compartment an electrical short could possibly occur,
causing a thermal event within the battery, including a possible fire in the [worst] case." The
problem was discovered on December 16 at the Valmet Automotive assembly plant in Finland
On January 2, 2012, Fisker announced that most customer cars and cars stocked in dealerships
affected by the recall involving A123 Systems-supplied battery packs are back in service.
The vehicles have either had brand new battery packs installed or the confirmed repair to the
hose clamp assembly undertaken. The remaining customers have been contacted and
appointments were made for their replacement battery installation.[61]
On August 18, 2012, Fisker announced it is recalling about 2,400 Karma plug-in hybrids to repair
a faulty cooling fan unit.[62]
Consumer Reports test drive
On March 7, 2012, a Fisker Karma purchased for US$107,850 by Consumer Reports magazine was taken
out for a test drive at the 327-acre (1.32 km2) CR test track facility in Connecticut. The Karma had fewer than
200 miles (320 km) on its odometer. While performing a routine speedometer calibration check prior to
actual road testing, the car broke down and could not be restarted. "We buy about 80 cars a year
and this is the first time in memory that we have had a car that is undriveable before it has finished
our check-in process."[63] The fault was traced to a defective battery caused by a misaligned welding
robot at the A123 factory. The battery was replaced in a week. A123 is replacing affected batteries in the
Karma and 4 other customers to a cost of $55 million.
Warranty for the Karma will be extended to 60 months and 60,000 miles in North America.[64][65][66][67]
Fire incidents
See also: Plug-in electric vehicle fire incidents
A Fisker Karma was involved in a home fire that also burned two other cars in Fort Bend County,
Texas in May 2012. The chief fire investigator said the Karma was the origin of the fire that spread
to the house, but the exact cause is still unknown. The plug-in electric car was not plugged in at the time the
fire started and it was reported that the Karma's battery was intact. The carmaker
released a public statement saying that there was uncertainty and conflicting reports surrounding the
event. Fisker Automotive also stated that the battery pack "does not appear to have been a contributing
factor in this incident."[68] The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is conducting a field
inquiry of the incident, and is working with insurance adjusters and Fisker to determine the fire’s
cause.[69]
A second fire incident took place in August 2012 when a Karma caught fire while stopped at a parking
lot in Woodside, California.[70][71] According to Fisker engineers, the area of origin for the fire was determined
to be outside the engine compartment, as the fire was located at the driver’s side front corner of the car. The
evidence suggested that the ignition source was not the lithium-ion battery pack, new technology
components or unique exhaust routing.[72] The investigation conducted by Fisker engineers and an
independent fire expert concluded that the cause of the fire was a low temperature cooling fan located
at the left front of the Karma, forward of the wheel. An internal fault caused the fan to fail, overheat and
started a slow-burning fire. Fisker announced a recall to repair the faulty cooling fan unit.[62][73]
In separate incidents during the storm and flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy on the night of October
29, 2012, 16 Karmas and one Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid caught fire while being parked atPort
Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal. The vehicles were partially submerged by flash floods caused
by the hurricane. Initially, a Fisker Automotive spokesman said the company "can’t be certain exactly
what happened at the port” but “we think being submerged in 13 feet of saltwater had something to do
with it.” The carmaker clarified that the Karmas were not charging at the time of the fire and there were
no injuries. In the case of the Toyota's incident, a Prius PHV burned and two other Prius, a conventional
hybrid and a plug-in, just smoldered. A Toyota spokeswoman said the fire “likely started because
saltwater got into the electrical system.” She also clarified that the incident affected only three cars
out of the 4,000 Toyotas that were at the terminal during the storm, including more than 2,128 plug-in
or hybrid models.[44][74] After an investigation by Fisker engineers, witnessed by NHTSA representatives
, the company said that the origin of the fire was "residual salt damage inside a Vehicle Control Unit
submerged in seawater for several hours. Corrosion from the salt caused a short circuit in the unit, which led to a fire when
the Karma's 12-Volt battery fed power into the circuit." The company explained that Sandy's heavy winds spread that fire to
other Karmas parked nearby, and also ruled out the vehicles' lithium-ion battery packs as a cause of, or even a contributing
factor to, the blaze.[75] Fisker reported a loss of around 330 additional Karmas when an entire shipment from Europe was flooded in
Tesla lawsuit
On 14 April 2008, Tesla Motors filed a lawsuit against Fisker Automotive, alleging that Henrik Fisker
stole Tesla's Model S hybrid technology and is using it to develop the Karma. Tesla's suit claimed
that the design work done for the Model S sedan by Fisker Coachbuild was substandard, and that Fisker
Automotive diverted its best ideas to the Karma.[76] On 4 November 2008 CNET News reported that Tesla
Motors would discontinue its suit after an interim ruling in favor of Fisker et al.[77] A news release on the
Fisker Automotive website stated that Tesla was ordered to pay $1,144,285 in costs.[78]
Related models
Sunset
In January 2009, Fisker previewed the Karma S "Sunset", which is based on the regular Karma,
at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, Fisker has said that the Sunset only has minimum
weight increases, when compared with the Karma. It is expected to be produced after the Surf, which is
expected to be sometime after late 2013. The Fisker S Sunset is the world's first plug-in hybrid convertible,
Fisker Surf
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The Fisker Surf was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show — described by Automobile as a shooting-brake
or a hatchback.[80] Sales of the four-door plug-in hybrid, which has the same range as the Karma, are scheduled
to begin in 2013.[81] The production version is scheduled to be unveiled at the 2012 Paris Auto Show.[82]
The Surf's entire powertrain, chassis, and interior are identical to the Karma sedan, with the only major cabin
change being the additional room in back for a couple of adults, and expandable room in the back is up from
7.1 cu ft (0.20 m3) to anywhere from 12.7 cu ft (0.36 m3) to 29.0 cu ft (0.82 m3). Overall weight on the Surf
versus the Karma increases by just 77 pounds (35 kg).[83]
Awards and recognition
2009 marked the first time that an electric vehicle was named a North American Production Preview
Vehicle of the Year by the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards. The award went to
The Fisker Karma was listed among the "Green Design 100" of 2009 by Time magazine.[86] Also, Time listed
the Karma among the "The 50 Best Inventions" of 2011.[87] In November 2011 the Fisker Karma won Automobile
Magazine's 2012 Design of the Year Award.[88]
In December 2011, Karma was chosen as "Luxury Car of The Year" by Top Gear Magazine, and "Car of
The
Producers of the TV show Two and a Half Men chose the Karma as the vehicle for Walden Schmidt.
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