Fisker is in a little bit of a bind with its loan from the Department of Energy. As a result, production for the brand’s new Project Nina lineup at the Fisker Automotive plant in Wilmington, DE and 26 workers were laid off.

This comes after a rework of Fisker Automotive’s $529 million loan, which was prompted after agreements with certain deadlines and milestones weren’t met as part of the loan’s terms and conditions.

“DOE loan-modification negotiations are fairly standard procedure,” Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher said. “We have to deliver on certain milestones, and we didn’t hit all our targets with the Karma. This is a relatively ordinary series of events.”

In Fisker’s defense, Ormisher also stated that the Delaware plant was pretty much on schedule for the Nina Project, but more assembly equipment needs to be installed.

“Project Nina is already well advanced,” the company said in a statement. “Much of the engineering, design and development is near complete, and we expect to ramp up operations again quickly.”

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoWeek

Massachusetts based A123 Systems, a produces of batteries for electric-vehicles, said that it has found a ‘potential safety issue’ in the batteries that it supplies to Fisker Automotive for its Karma plug-in hybrid sedan.

Check out out Top 10 things you need to know about the Fisker Karma.

The company said that hose clamps that are part of the internal cooling system of its batteries supplied to Fisker were ‘misaligned’ and may cause coolant to leak. The leak could lead to an electrical short circuit.

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

“We have developed a confirmed repair for this situation,” said CEO David Vieau. He said that the company has started fixing the fewer than 50 cars that were affected. He said the company’s relationship with ‘Fisker’ still ‘remains strong.’

A total of 225 Fisker Karma sedans have been sent to dealers with 1,200 currently in the pipeline.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

Fisker Automotive’s Karma Sedan is no longer known as a ‘nearly $100,000 plug-in hybrid.’ The car is now priced over $100,000 with the price for the base Karma Eco Standard starting at $102,000.

That’s an increase of $7,000 over the original $95,000 price tag. The new price will take effect starting Thursday. The top-of-the-line Fisker Karma EcoChic will start at $116,000.

Check out our Top 10 things you need to know about the Fisker Karma list.

Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher said that those who have already put down a deposit for the Karma will be offered the original price as long as they finalize their orders by January 15, 2012.

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

So far, Fisker has delivered a dozen of retail cars and has 1,200 produced or in production.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: ConsumerReports

Welcome to our 12th edition of “top 10 most important things you need to know about” segment. Today we’re taking a look into the most important things you need to know about the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sedan. Let’s get started.

Read our other Top 10 things you need to know lists.

Top 10 things you need to know about the Fisker Karma:

1. The Fisker Karma was recently awarded the ‘Luxury Car of the Year’ by Top Gear Magazine and Top Gear UK host James May gave it his ‘Car of the Year’ award.
2. The Fisker Karma turns its rear wheels using two rear-mounted 201.5 horsepower (150 kW) electric motors that are ‘fueled’ by a the lithium-ion battery pack for up to 50 miles. The gasoline engine (260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec direct injection unit) drives a 175 kW electric generator to power the motors. There is no direct mechanical link between this engine and the electric motors – so that makes the Karma a true electric vehicle with extended range – still known to us as a plug-in hybrid.
3. There are three drive modes including Auto, Stealth and Sport. The Stealth Mode maximizes fuel-efficiency, giving the car its greatest range on battery power before activating the gasoline engine-driven generator to sustain battery charge. 0 to 60 mph in Stealth mode comes in 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 95 mph. In Sport mode, the Karma cares less about fuel-economy and more about sportiness. The model allows the engine to drive the generator to provide enough electricity for 403-hp, allowing it to go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.
4. What does the EPA say? The EPA says that when running in electric mode, the Fisker Karma achieves the energy equivalent of 52 miles per gallon city/highway combined. That figure also includes 32 miles of all-electric range, and 20 mpg when its gasoline engine kicks in. Fisker says they still believe that most Karma drivers will hit 50 miles on electric power alone. Total range is estimated around 300 miles.
5. Fisker says that a Karma owner with a 40-mile commute who kicks off his day with a full battery charge will need to visit the gas station about every 1,000 miles and would use just 9 gallons of gasoline per month.
6. Charging the Karma can take than 6 hours using a 240v household current. A standard 110v power from will take a very long time (like 14 hours long).
7. The Karma also features a solar panel on the roof that can extend the driving range for up to an additional 200 miles annually.
8. Interior luxury? The Fisker Karma is very luxurious with refined interior wood trim which is 100% sustainably sourced from Fallen, Sunken and Rescued Wood to make sure that no live growth is ever used. It features three interior trims including EcoStandard, EcoSport and EcoChic. The EcoChic trim features 100% post-industry virgin textile Premium EcoSuede. It also has a touchscreen interface to manage audio, navigation, iPod, Bluetooth and climate control systems. A chrome bezel surrounds the flat screen glass surface.
9. The Fisker Karma exterior features Diamond Dust paint – the first water-based paint to feature a recycled glass flake mixture that utilizes 35-55% recycled glass. That means it releases no organic compounds into the environment. The paint also features a reflective infrared layer to help cool the interior during hot weather. Pretty cool huh?
10. The basic Fisker Karma starts at $95,900 with the top of the line model going for $109,850.

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

- By: Omar Rana

When Top Gear talks cars, almost all of the automotive world listens – well, listen to this. The Top Gear Magazine has crowned the Fisker Karma as the ‘Luxury Car of the Year’ as well as ‘Car of the Year’ by Top Gear host, James May.

Check out the full Fisker Karma gallery on our Facebook Page.

“Cleverness abounds in the Fisker and adds to the air of intelligent luxury. It works well, it looks good and it must be a genuinely exciting thing to own,” said Charlie Turner, BBC Top Gear magazine editor. “It’s the top-of-the-line spec that features no leather, just textiles and reclaimed wood. And it’s more convincing than it sounds, managing to look, feel and smell premium without any cow peel in it at all”

Previous winners of the award (and cars that the Fisker Karma beat out this time around) include Mercedes-Benz CLS, Jaguar XJ and Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe.

“It is fantastic news that the Karma has won two awards from Top Gear, said CEO and co-founder Henrik Fisker. “We realize that we are at the beginning of our journey and awards like this remind us we are on the right road – building enticing green cars that people actually want to own. It’s particularly pleasing that this award recognizes the Karma as the world’s first luxury hybrid electric car.”

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

Refresher: Power comes from Fisker’s Q-DRIVE system, which is made up of two 201-hp electric-motors that are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. That allows the 2010 Karma to travel up to 50 miles without the use of any gasoline. A generator attached to a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec direct injection gasoline engine by General Motors provides an extended range of up to 300 miles. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

- By: Omar Rana

Fisker Automotive Chairman Ray lane says that the company is on track to produce 15,000 of its Karma plug-in hybrid sedan in 2012. The number confirmation comes despite production delays that have already caused delays with the company’s first projected deliveries this year.

Lane said that production of the Karma was held up due to faulty electrical harnesses and headlights along with a flood that damaged leather for its interior.

“In production of a first vehicle, everything doesn’t go the way you plan,” Lane said in an interview with Reuters. “Next year, we’ll do exactly what we plan.”

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

Lane’s statement comes a little more than a week after Fisker’s battery supplier A123 Systems cut its 2011 revenue outlook 20 percent, claiming a sharp cut in orders from Fisker in the fourth quarter.

According to Lane, Fisker will deliver 1,500 units in 2011, a lot less than the 7,000 units the company originally projected. The company is currently pumping out 150 units a week.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Reuters

Fisker Automotive’s Karma plug-in hybrid sedan has achieved 83 km or 51.6 miles on electric-only model during an independent fuel-efficiency test carried out by Europe’s regulatory body, the Technischer Ueberwachungs Verein (TUV)

“The TUV have carried out the most thorough tests yet of the Karma’s real-world urban performance,” Fisker said in a statement. “This is an independent process that measures every element of the Fisker Karma luxury plug-in hybrid’s performance.”

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

The United States EPA recently rated the Fisker Karma at 52 miles per gallon-equivalent (mpg-e) in combined city and highway driving. That figure also includes 32 miles of all-electric range, and 20 mpg when its gasoline engine kicks in to provide electricity once the Karma’s lithium-ion battery pack is deplete.

Check out the full Fisker Karma gallery on our Facebook Page.

Refresher: Power comes from Fisker’s Q-DRIVE system, which is made up of two 201-hp electric-motors that are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. That allows the 2010 Karma to travel up to 50 miles without the use of any gasoline. A generator attached to a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec direct injection gasoline engine by General Motors provides an extended range of up to 300 miles. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

- By: Omar Rana

So here’s an interesting bit of news. As part of a ripple effect, all the influx of electric and alternative powertrain automobiles has the EPA hard at work to try and come up with a valid system to translate the range of electric powertrains into the industry standard’s “miles per gallon” system.

And we can see how it can be a challenging job, because interestingly enough, the US Environment Protection Agency has classified Fisker’s $96,000 full-size exotic luxury sedan as a subcompact for its range-extending fuel saver systems.

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

The EPA rates the Karma returning 52 miles per gallon-equivalent (mpg-e) in combined city and highway driving. That includes 32 miles of all-electric range, and 20 mpg when its gasoline engine kicks in.

Despite its dimensions and powerful 403-hp electric powerplant, a spokesman for Fisker Automotive said that the designation won’t affect sales because buyers who are willing to give up $96,000 for one of his cars know what they’re getting and don’t care what the government calls it.

That said, this could make for interesting comparisons: “Featuring the Fisker Karma, the Tesla Model S and of course, Volkswagen’s new Up! subcompact!” (We’re just kidding).

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoObserver

Fisker anticipated its Karma model to present a 67 mpge rating with a 50 mile range. When the EPA recently rated the Karma, its numbers fell a bit short.

At first, the new automaker took a more laid back stance on the matter, saying “As with all electric vehicles, range varies greatly on the conditions of the road and how you drive the car. Overall, we are very pleased with the results of the EPA’s test.”

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

Later, Fisker turned to Facebook to comment again, this time with a slightly different tone: “We recently received final certificate from the EPA, including the fuel economy label. The two primary numbers, 52 mpge in all-electric battery mode and 20 mpg in gasoline range-extending mode, are based on the EPA’s tests and reflect one viewpoint of energy efficiency in those two models. However, we do not believe that the label communicates the entire story.”

Check out the full Fisker Karma gallery on our Facebook Page.

The brand then elaborates on the story: “Traditional fuel economy numbers are structured for a conventional vehicle running on gasoline as a single fuel. With a plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle, driver choices and operating behavior can affect the overall fuel economy more so than any other type of vehicle. The EPA tests for vehicles in this category are a relatively new endeavor and in our view do not reflect the variability that is inherent with a plug-in hybrid vehicle – and therefore, present a conservative scenario.”

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Inside Line

So what did the EPA give the Karma? 52 miles per gallon-equivalent (mpg-e) in combined city and highway driving. That figure also includes 32 miles of all-electric range, and 20 mpg when its gasoline engine kicks in to provide electricity once the Karma’s lithium-ion battery pack is depleted.

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

Now that might not impress many of you that are thinking – ‘well, the Chevrolet Volt gets better.” That’s because this isn’t the Volt. The Fisker Karma is a much heavier car with a bunch extras and much more power. Fisker says that a Karma owner with a 40-mile commute who kicks-off each day with a full battery charge will only need to visit the gas station about every 1,000 miles and would use just 9 gallons of gasoline per month.

Check out the full Fisker Karma gallery on our Facebook Page.

Power comes from Fisker’s Q-DRIVE system, which is made up of two 201-hp electric-motors that are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. That allows the 2010 Karma to travel up to 50 miles without the use of any gasoline. A generator attached to a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec direct injection gasoline engine by General Motors provides an extended range of up to 300 miles. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

The Karma’s battery can be recharged in less than 6 hours using the same 240v household current. A standard 110v power from will take almost forever.

“With receipt of EPA certification in hand, we have achieved a major milestone by recording the first sales of our groundbreaking Karma sedan,” said Henrik Fisker, CEO and co-founder of Fisker Automotive. “Production of the Karma is ramping, and we have a strong dealer network in place so we can deliver many more of these truly amazing automobiles to customers during the remainder of 2011 and for many years to come.”

- By: Omar Rana

Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of 37 brand new vehicles that will be hitting U.S. roads next year (some might start showing up a little earlier). Our list consists of brand-new models that have never before seen the light of day on planet Earth (or the United States); vehicles that have been on a hiatus for quite some time and are finally making their comeback to the United States; or vehicles that are a brand new variant addition to an existing model (ex: BMW 5-Series ActiveHybrid).

So kick back and check out the list by viewing the gallery above or simply hitting the jump for the full list.

Note: Only vehicles that have been officially confirmed by the automaker made the list. The list does not contain any vehicles that have been rumored to show up in 2012.

37 Brand New Vehicles You’ll See in 2012 (Alphabetical Order):

• Audi RS5
• Buick Verano
• BMW ActiveHybrid 5
• Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
• Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible
• Chevrolet Malibu Eco
• Chevrolet Sonic
• Chevrolet Spark
• Dodge Caliber (Compact Car)
• Dodge Viper
• Ferrari 458 Spider
• Fiat 500 Convertible
• Fisker Karma
• Ford Focus EV
• Ford Focus ST
• Ford C-MAX Hybrid
• Ford C-MAX Energi
• Hyundai Veloster
• Infiniti JX
• Infiniti M35h Hybrid
• Mazda CX-5
• Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series
• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster
• Mini Coupe
• Mitsubishi i
• Pagani Huayra
• Range Rover Evoque
• Saab 9-4X
• Scion FR-S
• Scion iQ
• Subaru BRZ
• Subaru XV
• Tesla Model S
• Toyota Prius C
• Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
• Toyota Prius V
• Volkswagen Golf R

- By: Omar Rana

The plug-in hybrid Karma sedan is said to be on schedule with advance orders for this year. Fisker Automotive says that federal and state emissions standards should be met in the next few days, and has begun delivering cars to both customers and dealers in Europe.

Spokesman for the brand, Roger Ormisher says “We are currently on scheudle to fill the majority of the 3,000 advance deposit holder orders by the end of the year.” The brand previously announced a release date for last month, but although inventory is ready, some are still pending inspections for air quality, which prevents the vehicles from going on sale in the U.S.

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

Fisker Autuomotive has recently heightened awareness of the Karma with purchases by well known names like former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell or actor Leonardo DiCarpio. Pre-orders have hit 3,000 for the Karma at upwards of $95,900 each. At about half the cost, Fisker will be releasing a line of plug-in’s called the Nina line, which will begin production next year.

Refresher: Power comes from Fisker’s Q-DRIVE system, which is made up of two 201-hp electric-motors that are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. That allows the 2010 Karma to travel up to 50 miles without the use of any gasoline. A generator attached to a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec direct injection gasoline engine by General Motors provides an extended range of up to 300 miles. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: AutoObserver

Originally, Fisker’s CEO Henrik Fisker promised that the company’s first model – the Fisker Karma – will start being delivered in Oct. 2010. However, that date was pushed to March 2011 and most recently to Sept.

Fisker said it expects start providing its U.S. dealers with demo models by the end of this month. Sources at the company’s headquarters say that delivery of the test vehicles hinges on final emissions regulations certification from federal regulators.

Either way, most dealers don’t expect to start filling customer orders until the first week of November.

Mark Harding, sales manager at Fisker Santa Monica, says his dealership has pre-sold 100 Karma orders and another 50 customers are on a waiting list.

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

Fisker says that about 3,000 orders for the Karma have been placed worldwide.

At the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Fisker said that its next model, the Sunset convertible is on schedule for 2013. The company also showed a new model called the Fisker Surf.

Refresher: Power comes from Fisker’s Q-DRIVE system, which is made up of two 201-hp electric-motors that are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. That allows the 2010 Karma to travel up to 50 miles without the use of any gasoline. A generator attached to a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec direct injection gasoline engine by General Motors provides an extended range of up to 300 miles. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: WardsAuto

Think of the Surf as Fisker’s vision of a crossover between a sport car and a station wagon. Very early in the development of the Karma sedan, company CEO and Executive Design Director, Henrik Fisker decided a other variants would be part of the lineup. So when the time came for the evolution from Karma to Surf the path had already been defined for combining utility with bold and striking design.

“The Surf is a first-of-its-kind eco-friendly lifestyle vehicle that offers space, performance and luxury design for people who live an active, environmentally conscious lifestyle and like to drive beautiful cars,” Fisker said.

Built on the Fisker Karma platform and using the Karma’s powertrain, the Fisker Surf gets its power from a series-hybrid drive system in which the car is powered only by electric energy. The onboard gasoline engine drives as a generator. A pair of electric motors drive the rear wheels, taking energy from a 20 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack . A 175kW generator supplies energy to the motors and the batteries. It is driven, only when needed, by the efficient 260-hp turbocharged, direct-fuel-injected gasoline engine.

Like the Karma, the Fisker Surf offers two driving modes, Sport and Stealth. In Sport mode, full power is available and the Surf can produce 981 lb-ft of torque to run from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds, and hit an electronically limited top speed of 125 mph. In Stealth mode, the Surf uses only batter power and runs from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 95 mph.

Fisker says that under normal driving conditions, battery power alone can provide the Surf about 50 miles. WIth the gasoline engine/generator and 9.5 gallons of fuel, total range is extended to 300 miles. Charging the batter takes about 14 hours from a 110-volt outlet and 6 hours from a 220-volt outlet.

Let’s just hope the Fisker Surf comes out when it’s originally scheduled to and not ages later like the Karma.

- By: Omar Rana

Fisker Automotive’s co-founder and CEO recently said that the company has plenty of cash, however, there’s apparently room for a lot more. According to Fortune Magazine, Fisker is seeking $200 million in a new private round of financing as it starts deliveries of the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sedan and gears up for production of future models in the United States.

If Fisker is successful in raising the money, it would put the automaker’s market value at about $2.2 billion.

A Fisker spokesperson declined to comment on the report.

Fortune reports that Fisker is apparently preparing to go public and that this will be the last round of private funding as its being marketed as a ‘pre-IPO’ round.

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

Refresher: Power comes from Fisker’s Q-DRIVE system, which is made up of two 201-hp electric-motors that are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. That allows the 2010 Karma to travel up to 50 miles without the use of any gasoline. A generator attached to a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec direct injection gasoline engine by General Motors provides an extended range of up to 300 miles. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoObserver

We have yet to get some seat-time in the Fisker Karma, but our UK friends over at AutoCar have already earned that privilege and are here to take us along for a ride.

Fisker recently started delivering the first couple of Karma plug-in hybrid sedans to high-profile celebrities and politicians.

Hit the jump for the video.

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

Refresher: Power comes from Fisker’s Q-DRIVE system, which is made up of two 201-hp electric-motors that are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. That allows the 2010 Karma to travel up to 50 miles without the use of any gasoline. A generator attached to a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec direct injection gasoline engine by General Motors provides an extended range of up to 300 miles. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

- By: Omar Rana

Fisker Automotive recently started the first round of deliveries for the Karma plug-in hybrid sedan. The first unit of the Karma will be delivered to actor Leonardo di Caprio.

Production for the Fisker Karma is scheduled to increase to 300 units a week and the company estimates that the model will be sold out by 2012.

But there are more Karma variants in the works. We’ve already see a hard-top convertible Karma S, which will launch in 2013. Before that, however, Fisker will debut a sporty shooting break/SUV type Karma, which will go on sale in 2012. The model is expected to debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

Refresher: Power comes from Fisker’s Q-DRIVE system, which is made up of two 201-hp electric-motors that are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. That allows the 2010 Karma to travel up to 50 miles without the use of any gasoline. A generator attached to a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec direct injection gasoline engine by General Motors provides an extended range of up to 300 miles. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: WhatCar

Fisker Automotive recently said that it will soon start deliveries for the new Karma plug-in hybrid sedan, which it already has 3,000 plus orders for. According to recent reports, development at Fisker Automotive is still progressing to new levels.

Company boss Henrik Fisker said that Fisker Automotive is developing a new gearbox for electric-motors that can provide “Veyron levels of performance” for extended-range electric-vehicles. That’s a pretty bold statement.

Fisker said that a multi-speed gearbox, if reliably mated to an electric motor, could improve acceleration and performance of plug-in hybrid cars, including the company’s new Karma sedan.

Click here for more news on the Fisker Karma.

Currently, acceleration on EVs is limited since they typically transfer power to the wheels through a one-gear speed box.

“With the torque at the wheels increased by the use of a gearbox, Veyron levels of performance should be possible,” Henrik said.

We’ll have to wait and see.

Refresher: Power comes from Fisker’s Q-DRIVE system, which is made up of two 201-hp electric-motors that are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. That allows the 2010 Karma to travel up to 50 miles without the use of any gasoline. A generator attached to a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec direct injection gasoline engine by General Motors provides an extended range of up to 300 miles. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar