Fisker Karma in the Wild

Not quite sure if this car is intended to compete with the Tesla Model S!

Fisker Karma Rated at just 52 MPGe by EPA, Records its First Sales - Carscoop

 

Thanks! Caught this on EPA rates Fisker Karma at only 20 mpg in range-extender mode - Yahoo! Autos which pointed to 2012 Fisker Karma: 20 MPG On Gasoline, 32-Mi Electric Range and was going to post it but you beat me to it.

Wow, sounds like a big fail given the prices I'm hearing. I haven't followed their futureplans but wonder if this company will go bye bye.

 

Car looks nice, but so does the Tesla S.

These numbers are disgraceful. The car according to wiki is $95k-110k. That's what $30k more than the Tesla S?

Both have the same 0-60 times (other performance I assume is similar), but the Tesla S, though having no hybrid backup, doesn't really need it. Its range is way better than the Karma.

Paying $30k more for a car that has 32 mile electric range and then guzzles gas is extremely unattractive, isn't it?

Perhaps in the future a gas backup (Volt, Karma) is a good idea, but the current incarnations are to my standard both failures. The price is just too damn high and too many compromises in range and fuel economy. I feel bad for Fisker, I really do. I think this is extremely bad news for them. Those numbers are just really terrible and cannot be looked at in any positive light.

Jalopnik article on it, 0-60 at 6.3, http://jalopnik.com/5851735/how-fisker-got-500-million-in-government-loans-for-a-fuel-economy-flop

 

Much, much more. It's only $30K more than the top-end Tesla S model, but the low-end model costs only $57K...and it still beats the pants off the Fisker Karma with a range of 160 miles.

It's hilarious. Before the news release of the poor range, Fisker was bragging all about their car's great range and fuel efficiency. Nowadays, Fisker and its fans claims that the car is 'meant' for an entirely different purpose. Car and Driver blog even asked what else can people buy for $100K that has the exclusivity of the Karma.

In the high price automobile market that has the presence of the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini, Jaguar, and etc, what, indeed, could be more exclusive than the Fisker Karma?

 

Exclusivity can mean two things to an owner: 1) You're awesome because nobody else can afford this or was awesome enough to get on the waiting list, 2) You're a sucker and nobody else wanted it

 

Fisker may have announced pricing but Tesla hasn't. The base Model S is $57400 but nobody knows what it includes. The long range batteries are priced & extra. The panoramic roof is extra. One shade of white paint is extra. The jump seats are extra. IMO a fully loaded Model S is going to be $100,000 (maybe more) or very close in a best case scenario.

Unless the Fisker is going to be bought on speculation for the collector market I don't see it or the company going anywhere.

 

Fisker Karma's 5,300-pound weight = 20 mpg.

For some perspective, here are some other curb weights:
2WD '11 Chevy Tahoe: ~5659-5770 lbs., depending on trim per http://www.chevrolet.com/vehicles/2011/tahoe/features.do?styleIds=324395^324396^324397&tab=tabHighlights
07 Tahoe: 5265 lbs per 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4dr SUV 4.8L V8 4-speed Automatic Features and Specs
06 Prius: 2890 lbs
'12 Honda Accord sedan: 3216 - 3605 lbs., depending on transmisison, engine and trim per 2012 Honda Accord Sedan - Specifications - Official Honda Site

 

Do you really believe that Tesla can sell that car at $57,400 and not go broke?

.

 

This is a very good question. For what it's worth their website still claims this base price.

Regarding curb weights, I wonder why the fisker is so DAMN heavy, when at least according to wiki (and it is never wrong! ) the Tesla Model S--which seats 7 mind you (but lacks the entirety of the ICE and its systems) weighs under 4000lbs.

Obviously some of that wiki is out of date, e.g. "A complete charge may take three or more hours[4] using standard US 110 VAC". Yeah, you think? Considering the plugin prius is going to take a few hours on 110 I imagine this on 110 would take a good day or more.

Anyway, it really is a very nice looking car.

 

fisker karma

I snapped this pic at the dealer when I was getting my complimentary first maintenance service.

 

Since I don't follow this car (nor care much), I was heading Palo Alto yesterday and stumbled across a Fisker dealer (didn't know they existed yet) while waiting to turn left. It was Fisker Silicon Valley. It was a pretty good location and the buildings might've been empty a few years ago.

It was very brightly lit and seemed to be connected with the McLaren (!?!?) and Volvo dealer.

I saw a bunch of (4) J1772 charging stations (from Eaton, IIRC) in the parking lot. It was unclear if they were free or not...

 

I was just displaying my Volt next to a Fisker Karma from the same dealership today on the Stanford University campus. I volunteered to show it and answer question for an energy sustainability class.

The battery pack is in a T shape down the center of the car -- similar to the Volt except that the pack "tunnel" is taller and more visually imposing.
The interior is almost entirely covered in suede leather which is an interesting look. It generates a "space ship" sound while driving at slow speeds. I like the silence of my Volt but if it had to have a sound I would prefer the heavy glug-glug-glug of a 1970-era Cadillac V8.

 

These might interest some folks:
Suspension Walkaround: 2012 Fisker Karma
2012 Fisker Karma and 2011 Chevrolet Volt: Two Plug-Ins, One Route

 

Fisker officially recalls 239 Karmas over battery safety issue

 

Re: fisker karma

Does look nice.

 

Fisker Again Recalls Karma, This Time for a Software Glitch | Hybrid Cars
http://www.chargedevs.com/content/news-wire/post/updated-software-glitch-forces-fisker-recall-karmas has a quote from a frustrated owner.

Still haven't seen one in the wild. Only seen them at auto shows and at a dealer.

 

Wow, each one? That's going to take almost an hour.

 

Fisker stops work on Karma to renegotiate federal loan - latimes.com

The link title is a bit confusing as the first paragraph says:

 

Featured on Top Gear series 18 episode 4 last weekend.
JC did his usual electric cars are rubbish bit but James May seemed to like it.