As reported yesterday, Fisker Automotive confirmed today that it has purchased General Motors’ Wilmington, Delaware plant, which produced that Saturn Sky, Pontiac Solstice and the Opel GT until July.

Fisker said that it has signed a letter of intent with Motors Liquidation Co., formerly known as the wonderful General Motors Corp. to purchase the Wilmington plant for $18 million. It will spend another $175 million to refurbish and retool the factory over the next three years.

The company said that it will use funds from its $528.7 million Department of Energy loan that it was awarded in September.

The Wilmington plant will be responsible for supporting Fisker’s NINA project, which is a family-oriented plug-in hybrid sedan that will enter production in 2012. The new sedan will cost $39,900 after federal tax credits.

Fisker says that Project NINA will create and retain about 2,000 factory jobs and more than 3,000 vendor and supplier jobs by 2014 when it hits a full capacity of 75,000 to 100,000 vehicles annually.

Make the jump for the press release.

Press Release:

FISKER AUTOMOTIVE TO BUY U.S. ASSEMBLY PLANT TO BUILD AFFORDABLE PLUG-IN HYBRID CARS

WILMINGTON, DE — Oct. 27, 2009 – Fisker Automotive has selected the Wilmington Assembly plant in Wilmington Delaware to build affordable plug-in hybrid cars.

Fisker executives made the announcement inside the dormant facility today, joined by Vice President Joe Biden, Delaware Governor Jack Markell and other state officials.

The plant will support Fisker Automotive’s Project NINA, the development and build of an affordable, family-oriented plug-in hybrid sedan costing about $39,900 after federal tax credits.

Production is scheduled to begin in late 2012. Fisker Automotive anticipates Project NINA will ultimately create or support 2,000 factory jobs and more than 3,000 vendor and supplier jobs by 2014, as production ramps up to full capacity of 75,000-100,000 vehicles per year. More than half will be exported, the largest percentage of any domestic manufacturer.

The modernized Wilmington Assembly plant was selected for its size, production capacity, world-class paint facilities, access to shipping ports, rail lines and available skilled workforce.

“This is a major step toward establishing America as a leader of advanced vehicle technology,” said Henrik Fisker, CEO. “Wilmington is perfect for high quality, low volume production and will soon be the proud builder of world-class, fuel-efficient Fisker plug-in hybrids.”

Fisker Automotive has signed a letter of intent with Motors Liquidation Co. (MLC), formerly known as General Motors Corp. to purchase the Wilmington plant for $18 million after a routine four-month evaluation period.

An additional $175 million will be spent to refurbish and retool the factory over the next three years.

Funds will come from a conditional loan of $528.7M the Department of Energy awarded the company in September.

The loan is part of the $25B Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan program (ATVM) appropriated by Congress in 2007 to help the United States lead in the development and manufacturing of advanced technology vehicles.

The company’s first car, the Fisker Karma, will be the world’s first production plug-in hybrid when it goes on sale this summer at retailers in the U.S. and Europe.

Fisker plug-in hybrid cars will help remove the country’s dependence on foreign energy by eliminating the need for 42 million barrels of oil by 2016. They will also offset 8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

“With our close-knit business, government, and educational communities and our potential to respond rapidly to new opportunities, today’s announcement is a testament to what works best in Delaware. Fisker is a perfect partner in shaping Delaware’s economic future, and we are thrilled that the vehicle that can reshape the automobile industry will be built here in Delaware, by Delaware workers.” said Governor Jack Markell (D-Delaware).

Gary Casteel, UAW director responsible for the plant, said, “It gives me great pride to give UAW Local 435 workers the opportunity to partner with Fisker Automotive to create a greener America by building a plug-in hybrid car that will compete globally.”

ABOUT FISKER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

Fisker Automotive is a privately owned, premium American car company with a vision to lead the automotive industry into the next-generation of automobiles with high-end design expertise and eco-friendly powertrain technology. Global headquarters are in Irvine, California, USA.

The company was created in 2007 to leverage the design capabilities of Fisker Coachbuild, LLC, founded by auto design veterans Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler, and the PHEV powertrain capabilities of Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ-QTWW), a major Tier 1 supplier of clean vehicle technologies to the automotive OEMs. Previously, Fisker, CEO, was design director for Aston Martin and president and CEO of BMW’s DesignworksUSA. Koehler, COO, led operations for Ford’s Global Advanced Design Studio and created concept cars for Aston Martin, MINI and BMW.

ABOUT WILMINGTON ASSEMBLY

The Wilmington Assembly plant was built by General Motors in1947. Over the years it has been expanded to 3.2 million square feet on 142 acres of land. It includes an on-site powerhouse and waste water treatment facility. More than 8.5 million cars have been manufactured there, including the Pontiac Streamliner, original Chevrolet Impala, 1997-1999 Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn L-Series and the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky/Opel GT roadsters. Production capacity is 300,000 cars per year. The plant and its workforce have received many awards for excellence in quality, production and safety.

- By: Omar Rana

If all goes according to plan, we should see the Fisker Karma released sometime approximately this time next year. The Karma is a plug-in hybrid, a supposed to battery only ‘Electric Vehicles’, and company founder Henrik Fisker believes that will one day be the status quo, with regards to hybrid vehicles.

Supporters of the EV claim that the more simplistic design will eventually lead to a more cost effective products to produce and purchase, but Fisker feels that the EV is too limiting, and self-defeating when one considers what automobile ownership is really about.

“What is the car really all about? It’s about freedom. It’s about going as far as you want, whenever you want,” Fisker told Wards Auto. “That’s what you can do with a plug-in hybrid. You can go your 50 miles on electric, which is what most people will do. But you want to have that option if one day you want to drive on vacation or go and visit somebody who’s 600 miles away, you can do it.”

Though Fisker accurately describes the current state of affairs, the EV is still in infancy, and will certainly expand its range of capabilities as the future grows near.

Click here to read more news about the Fisker Karma.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Wards Auto (via allcarselectric)

As reported by egmCarTech.com earlier this week, Fox News had reported, in a somewhat skewed manner, on the nearly $530 million Energy Department loan received by Fisker automotive. The Irvine, Calif. based company plans to assemble its $89,000 Karma abroad, though none of the funds will be spent outside of the U.S., as most of the work on the car, including engineering, will be done in Pontiac, Mich. In a statement defending itself against the accusations thrown by Fox, Fisker said “The Karma has been designed and engineered in the U.S. with the majority (65 percent by cost) of its parts sourced from American suppliers,”. Regarding the assembly of the Karma, they also had this to say, reports Detroit News, “Fisker Automotive searched for a U.S. plant to assemble the Karma, but none were willing or able to build the 15,000 of these advanced vehicles per year Fisker required.”.

While the first generation Karma will be assembled in Finland, by a third-party company, the second generation will be a completely American affair. The company is also working on a more affordable hybrid, dubbed ‘Project NINA’, that is set to be built in America at a retooled assembly plant starting in 2012. Engineering on the car has already begun.

Fisker however, did not address the allegations of being backed by Al Gore.

2010 Fisker Karma:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit News

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:

The Fisker Karma Concept made its original debut at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show on January 14th, 2008. A year later, Fisker Automotive revealed the production version of its first plug-in hybrid vehicle at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Deliveries of the first Karmas are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2009 through the Fisker Automotive Retail network.

Power for the 2010 Fisker Karma Hybrid sedan comes from a plug-in hybrid powertrain developed by Quantum Technologies. Known as the Q-DRIVE, the system consists of a 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 in Sport Mode. A fully charged Karma can achieve more than 100 miles per gallon. The 2010 Karma, which can produce up to 956 lb-ft of torque, goes from 0 to 60 in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

The Karma is all about sustainability – even on the inside. Buyers can choose from three trim levels including: EcoBase, EcoSport and EcoChic. The EcoSpot series incorporates a hand-wrapped premium leather using 100 percent sustainable manufacturing. The most advanced sustainable material series, EcoChic, is based on an animal-free approach with leather being replaced by 100 percent Bamboo Viscose. Interior features include a 10.2-inch touch sensitive screen controlling HVAC, audio and other vehicle systems. The LCD gauges behind the steering wheels display critical information like battery charge and vehicle speed.

Production of the Karma will be taken care of by Valmet Automotive of Finland. Fisker Automotive says that the first 99 examples will match the exterior and interior of the Karma prototype seen at the 2008 NAIAS. Each unit will feature a personalized plaque with a serial number and signature from Henrik Fisker.

Pricing for the 2010 Hybrid Karma sedan starts at $87,900 ($80,400 after US government tax credits). Fisker Automotive plans on producing 15,000 units of the Karma annually in its first full-year of production.

Keep checking back here for the latest coverage on the 2010 Fisker Karma. Have something to say? Start a discussion in the Comments section below.

Posts on the 2010 Fisker Karma:

05-18-2009: Video: Fisker Karma shows off some track action
05-13-2009: Fisker working on third Karma variant, planning high-volume model
04-07-2009: Fisker secures an additional $85 million to build the Karma
03-24-2009: Fisker confirms 32 dealers in the U.S. to sell the Karma plug-in hybrid
02-24-2009: Fisker accepting orders for Karma S hard-top convertible
02-04-2009: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell looking for a Fisker Karma?
01-24-2009: Fisker looking for 40 U.S. dealers to sell the 2010 Karma
01-16-2009: Poll: Would you go for the Fisker Karma or the Tesla Roadster?
01-12-2009: Detroit NAIAS 2009: Fisker Karma S Concept Revealed
01-12-2009: Detroit NAIAS 2009: 2010 Fisker Karma Hybrid Sedan Revealed
12-04-2008: Front view of the 2009 Fisker Karma Hybrid
12-02-2008: 2010 Fisker Karma: Production model to be unveiled in Detroit
11-24-2008: Fisker picks GM’s 260-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder for Karma Hybrid
09-09-2008: Fisker raises $65 million to build the Karma hybrid sedan

2010 Fisker Karma:

We knew we should have gone to the Washington D.C. Auto Show – former General and Secretary of State Colin Powell was spotted spending a great deal of his time at the Fisker Automotive display checking out the Fisker Karma.

Who knows? Maybe Powell will be one of the first lucky owners of the Fisker Karma when it hits roads later this year. We’re sure he has $87,900 to drop on the car.

Refresher: Power comes from a 201-hp electric motor mated to a lithium-ion battery pack provided by Q-DRIVE. That allows 50 miles of travel without the use of any gasoline. After battery power runs out, the Karma uses a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec direct-injection engine that provides additional mileage. The Fisker Karma has a total range of up to 300 miles in Sport Mode.  0 to 60 comes in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

Former Secretart of State Colin Powell Checks out the Fisker Karma:

Doolan, a Fisker Automotive board member, said that the company is looking for forty U.S. dealers to sell the company’s new 2010 Karma plug-in hybrd sedan. The 2010 Fisker Karma will go on sale next year with prices starting at $87,900.

“We are trying to leverage what is in place today by selecting retailers who have a proven track record and customer satisfaction, are in the right location and, preferably, have premium experience,” Doolan, a former BMW and Volvo executive, told Automotive News.

Fisker is estimating the cost to become a Fisker dealer at $350,000 to just under $1 million, all depending on the location. The package includes purchasing two demo cars, parts and signs, training and creating the showroom. Two service areas are required to become an official Fisker dealer.

Fisker is targeting 15,000 annual sales of the Karma and already has 1,300 orders.

Click here to learn more about the 2010 Fisker Karma.

2010 Fisker Karma:

Tesla and Fisker are like the Pepsi and Coke of the electric-car industry – well almost. Both offer outstanding products that push the limits of ‘green’ cars to a whole new level. Both company’s have arrived on the electric-car/hybrids scene with one product each and while Tesla’s Model S Sedan is still 2 years out (maybe more than that) Fisker’s Karma hybrid four-seater will hit markets in late 2009. So we were wondering which car you would go for if you had a budget of $110,000.

Now let’s get one thing straight before we continue. The Tesla Roadster is a full-electric vehicle running without an engine. The Fisker Karma hybrid sedan, on the other hand, is what we in the auto industry like to call a ‘EREV’ – an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle that provides a certain distance of zero-emissions driving on battery power alone. After the battery is depleted, an on-board engine acts as a generator providing extended range capabilities. One other thing we’d like to point out is that the Tesla Roadster is a fun-to-drive sports car while the Fisker Karma is a four-door luxury sports car.

Tesla Roadster – $109,000: Power for Tesla comes from a 375 volt AC induction air-cooled electric motor that pumps out 248-hp with a maximum torque of 276 lb-ft. The two-seater will go from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph. Tesla says that you can get about 220 miles between charges. A full charge is reached in about 3.5 hours when using Tesla’s High Power Connector.

Fisker Karma – $87,900: The Fisker Karma hybrid luxury sedan is powered by a 201-hp electric motor that is mated to a lithium-ion battery pack provided by Q-DRIVE. That allows the Karma sedan to travel a total of 50 miles on battery power alone. After the batter runs out, a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec direct-injection engine kicks in to provide additional mileage. Fisker says that the Karma can travel a total of 300 miles on full battery power and a full tank of gas. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

So let us know which will be your ticket to environmental-friendly driving. Want to justify your selection? Drop a comment in the comments section

Click through for high-res image galleries of both cars.

2010 Fisker Karma:

Tesla Roadster:

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:

Fisker today unveiled its first production car at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show – the 2010 Fisker Karma Hybrid. Pricing for the Karma starts at $87,900 but is chopped down to $80,400 after tax credits. Fisker says that it has already received 1,000 orders for the world’s first 100 mpg luxury plug-in hybrid sedan. Deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The 2010 Fisker Karma is powered by a 201-hp electric motor that is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack provided by Q-DRIVE. That allows the Karma to travel 50 miles without the use of any gasoline. After battery power runs out, the Karma uses a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec direct-injection engine that provides additional mileage. Fisker says that the Karma has a total range of up to 300 miles is estimated in Sport Mode.  The 2010 Karma can sprint from 0 to 60 in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

The Karma will be produced by Valmet Automotive in Finland. The first 99 examples will be built to match the exterior and interior of the Karma prototype seen at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show last January. Each unit will feature a personalized plaque with a serial number and signature from Henrik Fisker.

Follow the jump for the high-res image gallery and the press release.

2010 Fisker Karma:

Press Release:

LEADING THE FUTURE: FISKER AUTOMOTIVE UNVEILS 2010 FISKER KARMA PREMIUM PLUG-IN HYBRID PRODUCTION CAR

100 mpg Fisker Karma Makes its World Premiere at the 2009 North American
International Auto Show

DETROIT, MI. Jan. 12, 2009: Fisker Automotive, Inc., the new American
manufacturer of premium green automobiles, unveiled its first production car — the
2010 Fisker Karma – at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)
in Detroit today. With a starting price of $87,900 ($80,400 after US government
tax credits), 1,000 orders for the 100 mile-per-gallon luxury plug-in hybrid have
been received since the prototype debuted at the 2008 NAIAS. Karma deliveries
are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2009 through the Fisker Automotive
Retail network. More information can be found online at www.fiskerautomotive.com

The four-door, four-seat Karma fuses the traditional and timeless styling of veteran
auto designer and Fisker Automotive CEO Henrik Fisker, with Quantum
Technologies’ clean Q-DRIVE® plug-in hybrid powertrain to become the world’s
first luxury plug-in hybrid car.

Q-DRIVE®: POWERFUL TECHNOLOGY

Exclusive to Fisker Automotive, Q-DRIVE® provides the best combination of power,
efficiency and low emissions. The system is comprised of two 201hp electric
motors powered by an advanced lithium-ion technology battery pack.
A generator attached to a 260hp turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec® direct injection
(D1) gasoline engine provides extended range capabilities.

“More than 60 percent of America’s 200 million drivers travel less than 50 miles per
day. With Q-DRIVE®, the Karma can do that without using a drop of gas. This
proprietary powertrain will provide a base for all future model derivatives from
Fisker Automotive.” said Alan Niedzwiecki, CEO Quantum Technologies.

Q-DRIVE® features two operating modes: Stealth Mode and Sport Mode. In electric-only
Stealth Mode, drivers can travel emission free for up to 50 miles on a full charge from any 110-,
220- or 240-volt electric outlet. A total range of up to 300 miles is estimated in Sport Mode,
which utilizes the efficient Ecotec® gasoline engine to turn a generator that powers two electric
motors on the rear differential. A fully charged Karma can achieve an annual average of more
than 100 miles per gallon.

With a top speed of 125 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds, the Karma is the world’s first
true premium plug-in hybrid sports sedan. The Karma’s low center of gravity and performance
oriented, A-arm suspension system offer a world class driving experience. Tall, wide tires
deliver immense lateral grip while electrohydaulic disc brakes provide effortless stopping power.

LUXURY AND STYLE

Karma’s exterior design features the continual flow of sculpture and dramatic proportion that is
signature Fisker style. A low, wide stance and raised front fenders offer the driver a unique
view of the car’s design. Modest changes from the original Karma prototype include an
enhanced upper grill and an enlarged lower intake for improved airflow. A new aerodynamic
diffuser under the rear bumper helps cool the electric drivetrain. Instantly recognizable, the
Karma also benefits from having the world’s largest continuously formed glass solar panel roof
on a car – an industry first and a standard feature on all Karma sedans.

“From initial concept to final production, it is important for Fisker to maintain a singular design language and to keep the integrity of the original design, inside and out. Extreme proportions, beautiful sculpture and earth-friendly materials are key elements that set the Karma apart,” said Fisker Automotive, Inc. CEO Henrik Fisker. “An inspiring drive is also an important and crucial element. Our hope is that the Fisker Karma will create a new segment of eco-friendly
transportation and will become the most desirable plug-in hybrid sports sedan available.”

A desirable car of any kind requires an inviting cockpit. Fisker’s interior design team focused on
sustainable design held accountable to the environment. Inspiration from nature’s timeless
beauty and the quality of classic design composition provided immense inspiration. Karma’s
Sustainable and Accountable Design is reflected in the use of reusable materials enhanced with
modern technology. For example, wood trim is sourced from non-living trees: ‘Fallen Trees’
that have succumbed to age; ‘Rescued Trees’ burned in forest fires; and ‘Sunken Trees’ lying in
American lake bottoms.

Karma’s instrumentation and controls focus on ease of use. Embedded in the layered
EcoGlass™ center console is a 10.2-inch touch sensitive screen controlling HVAC, audio and
other vehicle systems. LCD gauges behind the steering wheel provide display critical
information like battery charge and vehicle speed.

“The Karma’s material philosophy balances sensuality and accountability,” said Fisker. “We have
gone to great lengths to use only environmentally conscious, classic automotive materials that
support a commitment to our eco initiatives. At Fisker Automotive we are trying to inspire
change for the better.”

Karma buyers will choose from three trim levels: EcoBase™, EcoSport™ and EcoChic™. The
most advanced sustainable material series, EcoChic™, is based on an animal-free approach that
still offers a luxurious environment. Leather is replaced by 100% Bamboo Viscose, a soft hand
textile, while EcoGlass™ trim frames authentic fossilized leaves. Karma’s EcoSport™ series
incorporates hand-wrapped premium leather using a 100% sustainable manufacturing strategy,
which minimizes the number of hides required and highlights natural markings.

KARMA PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY

To meet production goals, Fisker turned to specialty builder Valmet Automotive in Finland.
Delivery of the more than 1,000 pre-ordered Karmas will begin this year. To commemorate
initial production, the first 99 examples will be trimmed to match both interior and exterior
specifications of the Karma prototype originally showcased at the 2008 NAIAS. Each will
feature a personalized plaque with a designated car number and signature from Henrik Fisker

Also at the heart of defining the future is Fisker’s retail network. A selective process to support initial deliveries is underway and interest from established dealers is high. Customers can expect a high level of service from retail partners that share their environmental and energy
values.

Our friend JF from Fast Lane Daily tipped us on a new Fisker concept that will debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Known as the Fisker Sunset, the concept will be revealed alongside the production version of the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sedan. 

Little detail is known about the Fisker Sunset, but from what we gather we’re going to say that it’s a convertible version of the Fisker Karma (hence the Sunset badge). Earlier this year, Fisker showed a teaser of a convertible version of the Karma hybrid sedan that it said will also the basis for a Fisker Karma coupe. 

Fisker is expected to use the same architecture and drivetrain from the Karma hybrid sedan. We’ll bring you more details from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next month.

Fisker Sunset Concept:

After a lot of digging and emailing – we finally have the front image of the new 2009 Fisker Karma Hybrid sedan. Fisker announced earlier this week that it will be unveiling the production version of the Karma at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show and released information on the plug-in hybrid sedan with just one image of the rear.

We now have the front image of the car and we have to say – this is looking to be one of the (if not the only) sexiest plug-in hybrids on the road.

Refresher: Power comes from a 260-hp 2.0L direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Two electric motors help the Karma deliver a total of 408-hp. 0 to 60 comes in just 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph. Battery only range equals 50 miles and total range equals 300 miles. Pricing starts at $87,900.

2009 Fisker Karma Hybrid:

• •  GM’s 2.0L direct injection, turbocharged 4-cylinder gives it 260-hp.
• •  2 powerful electric motors deliver a total of 408 hp.
• •  0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds; top speed – 125 mph.
• •  Electric only range – 50 miles; Total range – 300 miles.

Fisker announced today that its first production car, the Fisker Karma, will be unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next month. Fisker says that the production Karma plug-in hybrid sedan keeps its “extreme proportions and beautiful sculpture” from the concept it showed last year in Detroit.

With its Q-Drive powetrain, the Fisker Karma will have an all-electric range of 50 miles after which the gasoline engine turns a generator to charge the lithium-ion battery pack. Basically it becomes a regular hybrid vehicle once 50 miles have been completed. Fisker estimates that most Karma drivers who charge their vehicle overnight and commute less than 50 miles a day will achieve a fuel-economy of 100 mpg.

The Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sedan will have three different operating modes including Stealth, Sport, and HEV.

In Stealth mode the Q-Drive continuously optimizes the system performance and efficiency. While in Stealth mode, you can achieve an electric range of greater than 50 miles but your top speed will be limited to 95 mph along with limitations on acceleration speed. Not bad considering you won’t be going 95 mph on many American highways.

Sport mode is for those that care little about fuel-economy and more about performance. In Sport mode, the Q-Drive relaxes and the driver can go from 0 to 60 in 5.8 seconds while sticking his hand out the window with offensive gestures at a top speed of 125 mph.

When in HEV mode, the Q-Drive control system operates like a normal hybrid system and shuts down during deceleration or a stop and charges the lithium-ion battery pack during the drive cycle. If the driver switches from HEV mode to Sport mode, the Q-Drive will push all the energy out to provide for high-performance. Sounds like that the Karma Hybrid is our type of plug-in hybrid.

What else? The Fisker Karma sedan also has the world’s largest continuous formed glass solar roof panel ever on a car. The solar energy system stores radiated power from the sun and uses it as electrical energy to increase the electric-range of the Karma. Like the Q-Drive it also has models – three modes to be exact. In Auto mode, the Karma will use solar power to focus on the systems efficiency. In Climate mode the energy management system will use solar power to provide dual-climate control for the passenger and driver. The last mode, the Charging mode, the Karma will store as much as energy possible from solar power for later use.

How much will all this performance and outstanding green technology cost you? $87,900 – and the first Fisker Karma Hybrid is scheduled to be delivered in November 2009. European pricing and availability details will be announced at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

Fisker Automotive has announced that it has selected General Motors to supply the engine for its upcoming Fisker Karma Hybrid sedan – or Extended Range Electric Vehicle or EREV. The GM supplied engine will kick in after the Karma has completed its 50 miles of electric-only driving.

Fisker has picked GM’s 2.0L direct injection, turbocharged 4-cylinder unit that makes a total of 260-hp. Fisker said it is also considering other GM components to enhance its Karma Hybrid. Performance wise the Fisker Karma Hybrid sedan is expected to do 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph. It will have a total range of 350 miles.

“Given General Motors global leadership in the parts and accessories space, the fact that it is already engineering parts for extended range electric vehicles, and its commitment to helping the environment, it was clear that this was the right partner for us,” said Fisker Automotive, Inc. CEO Henrik Fisker.

Fisker Automotive will start production and delivery of the Karma Hybrid sedan in late 2009 with European deliveries to begin in 2010. Fisker plans on building 15,000 annually.

Fisker Karma Hybrid Prototype :

The Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sedan is now another step closer to production. Fisker announced that it has signed the final contract with Valmet Automotive to build the $80,000 Karma in Finland. Production will kick off in the fourth-quarter of 2009.

“The first cars will be delivered to North America and the deliveries to Europe are planned to start in 2010,” the companies said in their press release. Fisker plans on building 15,000 units of the Karma Hybrid annually.

The Fisker Karma Hybrid is capable of 50 miles on electric-power alone and allows for a range of more than 350 miles. 0 to 60 mph comes in less than 6 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

Fisker recently announced that it will open a new Engineering and Development Center in Pontiac, Michigan that will employ 200 engineers and designers that will support the development of the new Karma. Valmet Automotive also builds the Porsche Boxster and Porsche Cayman.

Fisker Karma Hybrid Prototype :

Source: InsideLine

You would think that during an economic storm entrepreneurs and investors would be hesitant to put their time and money in an auto startup. However, we have a couple of ambitious companies that are determined to change the way we drive by offering vehicles with new technologies and alternative fuel.

Taking advantage of low labor costs in China and Eastern Europe these auto companies don’t care about history that makes it quite inevitable that most of them will fail without leaving much evidence of their existence. But there are a few out there that may change the world.

The folks at PopularMechanics have the Top 10 New Eco and Exotic car companies that they believe have some potential to leave their mark in the auto industry.

Follow the jump for the list.

Top 10 New Eco and Exotic Car Companies:

10. Lightning Car Company
9. Noble Automotive Limited
8. Hybrid Technologies
7. Koenigsegg
6. Shelby Supercars
5. Ariel Motor Company
4. Carbon Motors
3. Fisker Automotive
2. Aptera Motors
1. Tesla Motors

Thanks for the tip Andrew.

Source: PopularMechanics

Fisker announced today that it is opening a new Engineering and Development Center in Pontiac, Michigan. The new 34,000 square foot facility, which is capable of housing up to 200 engineers and designers, will support the development and production of the new Fisker Karma Hybrid.

“The available talent, supplier base and infrastructure in Michigan will help us reach our production goal,” said Fisker Automotive COO Bernhard Koehler. “While Fisker Automotive will continue to be headquartered in Irvine, California, the new facility will allow us the opportunity to collaborate with our Michigan supplier base and have everyone under one roof.”

Fisker said that initial U.S. deliveries of the Fisker Karma will begin in the 4th quarter of 2009. Fisker hopes to sell 15,000 units of the Karma by 2011.

The Fisker Karma Hybrid is capable of traveling 50 miles on electric-power alone with more than 350 miles of total range. The hybrid Q-DRIVE powertrain that is co-developed with Quantum Technologies will allow for an estimated fuel-economy of 100 mpg. 0 to 60 mph is expected in less than 6 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

Fisker announced today that it has secured its Series C financing round with a new investor, Qatar Investment Authority. That means Fisker will be getting $65 million to support the production of the Fisker Karma.

The Karma will enter production early next year with deliveries to begin in the 4th quarter of 2009. If you don’t know by now, the Karma is the premium plug-in four-door sports car that we saw at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide is taking care of the hybrid system used in the car. It is capable of 50 miles on electric power alone with a 0-60 time of less than 6 seconds. It will have a total range of 300 miles. Fisker plans on building 15,000 units of the Karma annually.

Fisker is also planning a convertible version of the Karma as well as a coupe variant.

Fisker Karma Gallery:

Press Release:

Fisker Automotive Raises $65 Million in Series C Financing Round

Fisker Automotive, Inc., a green American premium sports car company, today announced that the company has completed its Series C financing round. The funding was completed on the 4th of September, 2008 with a total investment of $65 million. The round was led by a new investor, an affiliate of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Existing investors Palo Alto Investors and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers also participated.

The money raised will be used to support the development of Fisker Automotive’s first production car, the Fisker Karma. The first-of-its-kind four-door plug-in hybrid premium sports car was unveiled in January at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Featuring cutting-edge plug-in hybrid technology, penned as Q DRIVE, developed by Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. exclusively for Fisker Automotive, initial deliveries of the Karma are expected to commence in the 4th quarter of 2009 with annual production projected to reach 15,000 automobiles.

“We are extremely pleased to have closed our C financing round at this time, particularly in light of the current market conditions,” said Henrik Fisker, CEO, Fisker Automotive, Inc. “This shows once again that Fisker Automotive has a solid business plan and a globally experienced automotive team with very strong investors behind the company.”