Ex-Aston Martin designer’s green dream is a reality.
Why a racetrack? Why go through so much trouble to produce the world’s sexiest ange-extender electric hybrid and then launch it in an environment where the promised driving range of 300 miles vaporises into grey theory? ‘Because it only takes a couple of laps to understand that our interpretation of electromobility is compatible with sporty handling and dynamic performance,’ says Henrik Fisker, the former BMW and Aston designer who managed to raise one billion dollars to create the car that bears his name.
Floor her and the first impression is that the Fisker Karma feels heavy and nderpowered for a claimed 409PS (from two electric motors at 204.5PS each). And you would be right – these early pre-production cars deliver just 324PS. But with 1300Nm available from the word ‘go’, sluggish it ain’t – flooring the accelerator makes the chips switch to overload to stop the explosive twist action from scalping the 22in built-to-order Goodyears. Although the ESP calibration is still a work in progress, this S-class-size four-seater coupe is an absolute hoot to drive, its 2300-kg bulk being unexpectedly chuckable and slideable.
With the batteries fully charged the car can accelerate from 0-96kmph in 5.9sec and on to a top speed slightly in excess of 200kmph. For 90 seconds, you can trigger a 230kmph overboost, which presumably does to the range what a pin does to a balloon.
Under the bonnet is GM’s 2.0-litre direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit, which develops 266PS and has been trained to run within its maximum efficiency window whenever possible. It doesn’t drive the wheels, but feeds the 241PS generator which converts the energy into electric power for the two motors. Whenever possible, the car is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack good for 20kWh and 248PS which fills the entire cavity of the backbone chassis.To highlight its environment-related ambitions, the Karma has a solar roof which collects enough energy in a year to provide 483 free kilometres, metallic paint made of 30 to 55 per cent recycled glass and reclaimed wood and carpets made from recycled materials. All three available trim levels come with eight airbags, state-of-the-art ICE, power everything, 22in alloys and a mix of xenon and LED lighting. The price? In Europe, the car costs around Rs.53 lakh, complete with a three-year, 100,000km warranty. The first 3,500 units are presold, but with an annual production target of 15,000 vehicles supply should not be an issue.
At the Frankfurt Show, Fisker will unwrap its second full-size model, tipped to be a shooting brake. Next year, a coupe will be added. In 2013, the plan is to open a new factory in Delaware which would be geared for an annual production capacity of 100,000 units. America will thus be the home of N1 which denotes the second Fisker model range, priced under Rs. 22 lakhs.
