Fisker Karma

This article is about the out-of-production 2011–2012 automobile. For the new production version, see Karma Revero. For the company that produces the new production version, see Karma Automotive.
"The Fisker" and "Fisker (car)" redirect here. For other uses, see Fisker (disambiguation).

Fisker Karma
Overview
ManufacturerFisker Automotive
Production2011–2012
AssemblyUusikaupunki, Finland, by Valmet Automotive
DesignerHenrik Fisker
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size luxury car
Body styleFour-door sedan
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel drive
PlatformGM E-Flex Platform[1]
Related
Powertrain
Engine2.0 L (121.9 cu in) turbocharged Ecotec VVT DI LNF I4
Electric motortwo 120 kW (161 hp) motors, 479 N·m torque[2] each
Transmission1-speed
Hybrid drivetrainPlug-in series hybrid. The two electric motors drive the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential[3]
Battery20.1 kWh (72.4 MJ) lithium-ion battery[3]
Range230 mi (370 km)[4]
Electric range32 mi (51 km)[4] (EPA)
83 km (52 mi)[5] (TÜV)
Plug-in charging3.3 kW (220 V 15 A as for UK) on-board charger on IEC Type 1 inlet (SAE-J1772-2009)
Dimensions
Wheelbase124.4 in (3,160 mm)
Length195.67 in (4,970 mm)
Width78.11 in (1,984 mm)
Height51.57 in (1,310 mm)
Curb weight5,300 lb (2,400 kg)
Chronology
SuccessorKarma Revero

The Fisker Karma is a luxury plug-in range-extended electric[6] sports sedan produced by Fisker Automotive between 2011 and 2012. The cars were manufactured at Valmet Automotive in Finland.[7]

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated the Karma's combined city/highway fuel economy at 52 mpg‑US (4.5 L/100 km; 62 mpg‑imp) equivalent (MPG-e) in all-electric mode, and at 20 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg‑imp) in gasoline-only mode. EPA's official all-electric range is 32 mi (51 km).[4][8] Due to the very small cabin interior volume, the EPA rated the Fisker Karma as a subcompact car.[9]

The first deliveries took place in the U.S. in late July 2011,[10][11][12] and deliveries to retail customers began in November 2011.[8] Pricing in the U.S. started at US$102,000 for the base model (EcoStandard), US$110,000 for the intermediate EcoSport model and US$116,000 for the top model (the "Animal Free" EcoChic).[13] Around 1,800 units were delivered in North America and Europe through December 2012.[14] The U.S. was the leading market, with about 1,600 units sold.[15]

Production was suspended in November 2012 when the sole battery supplier to Fisker Automotive, A123 Systems, filed for bankruptcy following two battery recalls. Fisker Automotive was unable to carry on production of the Fisker Karma in the absence of its sole battery supplier,[16] with about 2,450 Karmas built since 2011.[14]

After furloughing its US workers in late March 2013,[17] Fisker Automotive filed for bankruptcy in November 2013, after the United States Department of Energy auctioned its debt and sold it to Hybrid Technology LLC for US$25 million.[18]

Following the sale of some of the assets of the company, the designs, rights to a plug-hybrid powertrain and a manufacturing facility in Delaware to the Chinese company Wanxiang, the new owners re-commenced production in September 2016 under the brand name Karma Automotive.[19]

After several announcements by the Wanxiang Group to reintroduce an upgraded version of the Fisker Karma, the car was renamed the Karma Revero and Karma Automotive started taking orders in September 2016.[20]

  1. ^ "How GM's E-Flex Propulsion System Works". howstuffworks.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference ABG0212 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b "datasheet" (PDF). fiskerautomotive.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Colum Wood (October 19, 2011). "Fisker Karma Gets 52 MPGe Fuel Economy Rating". Auto Guide. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference TUVrange was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Used 2012 Fisker Karma Prices Take a Plunge - Edmunds.com". Archived from the original on July 13, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  7. ^ Jim Holder (July 12, 2011). "Fisker Karma gets 3000 orders". Autocar. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference MPGe02 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Tiffany Kaiser (October 28, 2011). "Fisker Karma EPA Rated Subcompact Despite Large Size". Daily Tech. Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference 1stDelivery was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "Fisker Karma full production delayed to February 2011". green.autoblog.com. Reuters. May 27, 2010. Archived from the original on June 3, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
  12. ^ "Fisker Karma Has Been Delayed Yet Again For July 2011". Top Speed. June 5, 2001. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference Price2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ a b Deepa Seetharaman and Paul Lienert (June 17, 2013). "Special Report: Bad Karma: How Fisker burned through $1.4 billion on a 'green' car". Reuters. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference Top6Global2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Bradley Berman (March 13, 2013). "Henrik Fisker Resigns From Fisker Automotive". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  17. ^ Blanco, Sebastian (March 31, 2013). "Fisker furloughs workers for one week, says it is 'common practice' in industry". green.autoblog.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  18. ^ Angela Greiling Keane (November 23, 2013). "Fisker Selling Assets to Li Group at $139 Million Loss to U.S." The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 27, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  19. ^ "Fisker and new Chinese owner to restart Karma production this year". Reuters. February 24, 2014. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  20. ^ "Fisker Karma back as Karma Revero, complete with solar roof". Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2016.