Fisker Karma S (Sunset) Convertible:

Link (http://www.themotorreport.com.au/16046/fisker-releases-karma-s-sunset-teaser-image/)

I bet those who put their money down are asking for that option.

Even with the bad economic climate, I think the Karma and Karma "S" will sell very well if they can deliver as announced. They aren't cheap but how much is a Jag convertabile?

The write has something wrong. He states the GM engine is combined with a 22.6kWh electric motor. The rating certainly shouldn't be in kWh. Assuming he meant kW, I thought the Karma's electric motor was a lot more powerful than this.

I think the article swapped the two numbers. I think they meant that the Karma has 22.6KWH of batteries and a 300KW electric motor. Those numbers make sense, especially as compared to the 16KWH and 150KW motor on the Volt.

However, I don't think Fisker will ever see this car into production. Simply, it's a lot of work to design and build a car, and then perform the incredible amount of testing and verification to make it road-legal. Tesla sent 5 years and over $100M and is just getting rolling on this - even with the head start thay had by using the GM EV1's technology for inductive motor technology.

I have to hand it to Fisker - they make a beautiful vehicle. Whether thay can make it roadworthy and profitable is the big problem. Go back to DeLorean and Bricklin. Both of them knew cars as well as anyone, and both of them got hundreds of millions of dollars in government aid (from the British for DeLorean, and from Canada for Bricklin), and yet neither of them were able to build an ongoing business. Even worse, Fiat in Europe announced that they were looking for a buyer because "in today's market, it's impossible to have a viable car company when you ONLY make 2 million cars per year".

Building a concept car is easy. Building a functioning car company is harder than it looks. Ask Tesla.

I don't think the e-motor is 300kw either. The article states this is combined power for the ICE and e-motor. This makes more sense since the max electric only speed is 95mph.

swimdad623,

Given that Fisker Coachbuild has been reskinning BMW's and other vehicles for at least a couple years, I am more confident that they can pull this off. Also, they have the most beautiful design that I've seen in years, and the environment hook that make initial sales targets a lock. They've penned the right funding and manufacturing arrangements, and have Kleiner Perkins clearing their path, so we only need to wait to see how their crash testing goes.

Here is the full photo:

Link (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/3171250500_67f3fe73de_o.jpg)

so we only need to wait to see how their crash testing goes.

Not only that, but their wind tunnel testing as well. This car looks like it has a lot of the same drag inducing issues the original Volt had too. If they get a real working prototype going, I have a feeling they are going to have a tough time meeting performance goals. No way I'd put money down on this car until there were third party confirmation on the production car's performance.

Mostly in nature can beauty and efficient functionality go together. The engineers and artists are often like water and oil. You will have to think harder to mix them together in harmony.

Here is the full photo:

Link (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/3171250500_67f3fe73de_o.jpg)

That's not a photo nor is it the actual car. It's a photoshop guessimate.

Here is an actual photo of the vehicle:

Link (http://wot.motortrend.com/6438336/auto-shows/fisker-karma-s-concept-hardtop-covertible-coupe-hits-detroit/index.html)

I think this is what Fisker intended to produce initially, then expanded it to be a four door.

Beautiful!

http://www.gizmag.com/pictures/10745_13010972908.jpg


The Q-DRIVE® system, which is designed and engineered by Quantum Technologies exclusively for Fisker Automotive, uses a lithium-ion battery pack to deliver the 50 mile emission-free range on a single charge and puts out up to 403hp from two rear-mounted, 150kW electric motors. In battery only ("Stealth mode") a top speed of 95 mph (153 km/h) is possible and when combined with the mid-mounted, 265hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter internal combustion engine ("Sport mode") this jumps to 125 mph (200 km/h). In the combined mode the range of the vehicle increases to 300 miles (483km). Given that the S being showcased in Detroit is a technology demonstrator, it is possible that modifications may be made before the 2011 release.

The Fisker Karma S also shares the aluminum spaceframe architecture of the sedan, but has a slightly shorter wheelbase. The big change is of course the hard-top convertible configuration, which means that the solar panels featured on the sedan will now be placed on the rear-deck. Because there is less surface to work with the size and output of the solar system (120W on the sedan) is expected to be reduced by half.

Fisker Automotive has opened two facilities and established 22 retailers in the US since the sedan concept was shown in Detroit last January. CEO Henrik Fisker said today that the company plans to build 15,000 of the sedans (which will retail at USD$87,900) per year and has already received pre-orders for 3,100 vehicles. No word yet on the expected price point for the Karma S model.

http://www.gizmag.com/first-glimpse-fisker-karma-s/10745/

New York Times has the best photo yet:

Link (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/automobiles/autoshow/fisker-karma.html?em)

They shouldn't have too much trouble selling all they can make. Talk about going green in style. Wow!

They have the cool, they have the style. Now they must make sure they keep the quality and service up to snuff.

They shouldn't have too much trouble selling all they can make. Talk about going green in style. Wow!

They have the cool, they have the style. Now they must make sure they keep the quality and service up to snuff.

I thought so too when I thought the price was $57k. Don't know where I dreamed that up from. Turns out its $87k. And they plan on making 15,000 a year?

I wish them the best but I think they'll have trouble selling that many.

Quantum's Affiliate Fisker Automotive's Karma S Rated Best Electric Car at the 2009 North American International Auto Show by DetroitNews.com

Link (http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-20-2009/0004957292&EDATE=)

This Karma "S" model is quickly becoming a dream car for many. Fisker design is second to none and he has investors, this sounds like a formula for a strong contender in the sport car market. I wish them luck in this harsh economy. Good job so far!!