Fisker Automotive announced today that its Karma plug-in hybrid sedan will make its public driving debut at the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races on Saturday, August 15. The Karma Sunset hardtop convertible concept will also be on display along side the Karma sedan but will not show off any moves.

“The Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races is the best stage in the world for great moments in automotive history,” said Henrik Fisker, Fisker Automotive CEO. “Fisker is honored to be a part of it.”

Fisker plans to start delivering the first Karmas in the fourth-quarter of this year. Prices start at $80,400 for the coupe. Fisker Karma S Sunset prices will be announced at a later date. Buyers interesting in purchasing the Karma S will have to make a deposit of $25,000.

Click through for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

2010 Fisker Karma:

Fisker Karma S Sunset:

Press Release:

FISKER KARMA TO MAKE PUBLIC DRIVING DEBUT AT ROLEX MONTEREY HISTORIC AUTOMOBILE RACES

Event to be a highlight of Monterey Peninsula’s Classic Car Week

IRVINE, CA – July 23, 2009: The Fisker Karma Plug-in Hybrid will make its public driving debut during the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races on Saturday, August 15, just 19 months after being unveiled as a concept car. It will be the first time a PHEV has appeared on track at the event. The Fisker Karma will also be on display at Concorso Italiano on Friday, August 14, alongside the Karma Sunset hardtop convertible concept. The Karma Sunset will again be on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Sunday, August 16.

The Fisker Karma PHEV represents a paradigm shift in alternatively-powered transportation. A full-size luxury sedan with seating for four, the Karma has a range of 50 emission-free miles on a full charge of its Lithium-ion battery, and a total range of 300 miles thanks to an on-board generator turned by traditional but efficient 260hp Ecotec engine. Two 201.5hp electric motors send enough traction through a single-speed differential to reach 60mph in about six seconds and a top speed of 125mph. Together, these components make up the Q-DRIVE® powertrain exclusive to all Fisker automobiles. Q-DRIVE® delivers not only performance, but can average more than 100mpg with a lower carbon output than current hybrids.

“The Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races is the best stage in the world for great moments in automotive history,” said Henrik Fisker, Fisker Automotive CEO. “Fisker is honored to be a part of it.”

The Fisker Karma prototype is scheduled to complete two laps on the legendary 11-turn Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca course at 11:10 a.m., starting and finishing just ahead of the pedestrian bridge at Turn 5, before returning to the Price Family Dealerships display area on the infield. Fisker executives Henrik Fisker, CEO, and Bernhard Koehler, COO, will be available for media interviews throughout the weekend.

- By: Kap Shah

The Fisker Karma Sunset hardtop convertible coupe has been named the 2009 Production Preview Concept of the Year by the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards. CEO and founder Henrik Fisker accepted the honors yesterday during a ceremony at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan.

“We are honored the Karma Sunset has received such great recognition,” said Fisker Automotive CEO and lead designer Henrik Fisker. “The Karma Sunset, along with the talented Fisker Automotive team that helped develop it, proves environmentally friendly vehicles can be fast and sexy, too.”

Fisker is now accepting orders for the Karma S with deliveries to start at the end of 2011. Buyers interesting in purchasing the Karma S will have to make a deposit of $25,000.

The Karma S hard-top convertible, like its Karma sedan sibling, features the Q-Drive powertrain system that allows for 50 miles of zero-emissions driving on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery pack. It produces up to 403-hp from two electric-motors.

Fisker Karma S Concept:

- By: Mo Eladawy

Apparently, the Fisker Karma S Concept is no longer just a concept. We spoke with Fisker Automotive’s public relations chief Russell Datz, who confirmed that the company is indeed taking deposits for the Fisker Karma S with deliveries expected to begin at the end of 2011.

While those interested in the Fisker Karma four-door plug-in hybrid sedan will have to make a deposit of $5,000, buyers looking for some fun in the sun with the Fisker Karma S will have to make a deposit of $25,000. How much will the drop-top Karma go for?

“No pricing announced yet ““ but it will likely be significantly more than the Karma sedan,” Datz told eGMCarTech in an e-mail. He also said that the first 250 units will be “specially configured” and will be “designated as first-run vehicles and perhaps numbered.”

The Karma S hard-top convertible was designed and engineered by Quantum Technologies and features the Q-Drive powertrain system that allows for 50 miles of zero-emissions driving on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery pack. It produces up to 403-hp from two electric-motors.

Make the jump for the high-res image gallery.

Fisker S Karma Hybrid Concept:

Besides showing us the 2010 Fisker Karma Hybrid Sedan, Fisker Automotive unveiled the new Fisker Karma S Concept today at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Unlike the Fisker Karma, the Fisker Karma S loses two-doors so we’re guessing that Fisker may even offer a coupe Karma sometime in the future.

The four-seater Fisker S Karma Hybrid hardtop convertible shares its aluminum spaceframe architecture and Q-DRIVE powertrain with the Karma sedan. The concept was designed by Quantum Technologies for Fisker Automotive and provides 50 miles of emissions free driving with up to 403-hp from the two electric motors.

“The Karma S is an extension of the Fisker Automotive product range of eco-conscious automobiles and sets the tone for our future,” said Fisker Automotive, Inc. CEO Henrik Fisker.

We’re guessing we’ll hear something official at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

Fisker S Karma Hybrid Concept: