It's easy to explain and deconstruct some cars. The Fisker Karma is not one of them. We test the Karma to see how it's "green mission" holds up to the numbers.
Went to my local cars and coffee a few weekends ago...saw my first Fisker I have to say WOW...absolutely beautiful. Was sitting amongst all the Lambos and absolutely stuck out with pure beauty.
@Philipracer Closer to $115k in real terms (tax, tag, title, winter wheels and tires). Official MSRP is $95,900 for the "cheap" one, another $5k for the one people are going to buy. Dealers won't sell below that (at the moment anyway) since demand greatly outstrips supply. Obviously taxes etc vary depending on location, but the winter wheels and tires add another $6k so now the base price is $107k. Still, that's better than most of the competition, which mostly starts at $140k.
I have really loved the Tesla for it's looks and the technology, but after have found the Fisker Karma I fell in live with the looks. suddenly the Tesla looks like an ordinary sedan and is not appealing in comparison. Looking at the interior there is no competition at all, the Fisker wins without a doubt. The Tesla still have a better technology and it was very unfortunate that the Fisker did not survive as it would have been a great car after further development. Tesla is now after much development better in technology but the looks...ohhh my god the Fisker wins by faaaar. (I wished the Fisker Karma body on the P90 D chassis.)
great looking car, but does lack in performance ...BMW i8 is around same price, and much more tech / performance refined, a true high performance car, that gets twice the gas mileage of the Fisker/Karma... and while BMW's are common, the i8 is not, and does not resemble other BMW models, so it is a unique ride like the Karma.
@flurry Of course I don't disagree with you that heavy cars have lower mpg. But the reason why this car is so heavy is because it's a hybrid and not because it's as roomy as 7series or can tow an RV. So being heavy because of the hybrid system, I thought it can do better. You see car's mpg from how heavy that vehicle is. I see it from what the car can do or what sacrifices for (eg, for towing,performance interior space). It's just matter of how we see the numbers from different point of views.
@CAJFB That wasn't a rhetorical question.There are 3 basic components to a pure EV car. The battery, motor(s) and controller. Each gets handled differently. If the motor goes out, replace it. If they use a brushless motor, replace the brushes. If it's brushless, replace the whole thing. If it's a controller problem, diagnostics software would be used. If it's a battery issue, replace it. I never said the car was perfect.
Well pricing and performance often go hand in hand so that's probably what it is. Plus the Karma is "helping" the environment with it's electrical engine which is very expensive, so that adds something to the price as well.
@flurry I can't name any production car that weights 5,300 lbs that can manage over 15 MPG. May be we have different point of views looking about MPG. Considering it's weight, 20MPG is quite impressive. But I first looked at it as a car not a truck. I see this as a 4seater luxury hybrid coupe which is quite expensive.So from that point of view, I still think 20 is not that great number. Anyway my first point is that 2.0L turbo should be little smaller so it might get better MPG
@suzukiaddress125 Hello? I too did wrote clearly that turbodiesel technology is the most practical fuel efficiency out there. Would it kill you to read slowly for once before flaming back? P.S. A 2.0 gas turbo is NOT good to haul a 2.5 ton car if you want to call it a sports luxury sedan (remember, people with money never buys the slow-on-purpose model, no matter the mileage)
Is it funny how nobody mentions it looks like a Aston Martin... Taken into account that Henrik Fisker has been their lead designer for years...! Henrik Fisker is one of few people that makes Denmark proud.
I like this car. It displays the beautiful processes and collaberation with humankind and technology. With this intelligently built and concieved hybrid, humans and technology are in Instant Karma!
@ironlobster I wonder what it would take for people to overcome this irrational range anxiety. "Have no range" to you means 160+km? Thats for the Leaf with varied conditions. Lets be honest, if that doesnt do it for you, you are one of a very small group of drivers. And for more high end customers the Tesla Model S will offer a battery that takes you 480 km in one charge. When was the last time you drove freaking ~500km without a good rest!? Sane people use a train for those distances.
@gta4drpepper I would say mostly celebrities and leaders of state that really don't "care" about anything other than thier image. It's the politician's green car. As a status symbol, this car is actually pretty hard to beat.
@undeadkillers since when does luxury have to mean heavy? and how does "green" or "eco" even share a sentence with a 5,000lbs car? This isn't a personal commentary to you, but since you mentioned the weight, these are obvious questions in general when a product like this comes to market. On an apples to apples comparison of FAT cars that dare to be "efficient", I'd choose the Audi A8 TDI over this
people don't realize tesla was aimed at the lotus elise. and the fisker is aimed at the mercedes benz CLS class. its designed to be more of a luxury car, and add in a little exotic feeling but have hybrid status. not a sportscar which the tesla wants. the two cars aren't even designed to compete so i dont know why everyone compares them. its like comparing a landrover disco to a porsche 911.
would have been useful if you at least once mentioned that it was an electric car, preferably at the beginning... also, those figure 8 and other tests are fairly useless if we don't have anyting to compare it to. i can run around my lounge in about 5 seconds, but does it make me fast???
@ryuoif122 More precisely, built in Finland at the same factory that built Porsches. Tho' Fisker Automotive is a company registered in the USA. BUT... Henrik Fisker, the genious behind both the car and the company is actually a Dane. In my opinion that makes the car a bit multicultural. :D
@flurry You really love to argue don't you? I just wrote what felt, which is the 2.0L turbo sounds too big just to spin the range extending generator. There is no intention to argue or criticize Karma. In fact I wrote this is the best looking 4door coupe and I liked it :)
@AcXr50 In my opinion they should make a fake sound that would sound really good and realistic. And you would be able to toggle it on/off :-) How about that?
nice interrior did i hear him correctly the weight is 2 tons? 5000 lbs remember folks coal bealching power plants create the electricity for this "eco friendly"car however it is one of the best electric lookers out there
@setsallset in other words perfect.................if something is too good to be true it usually is...........and no car is perfect some time some where a part will need to be replaced or electronic codes will have to be done and checked......
From the looks of it all, Fisker seems to be a back door GM funded operation? It just had that look plus the GM style airbag tags hanging from the glove box as well ??? Anybody else get the same feeling ???
well considering i work at a dealership where these are sold. and see whats going on. i can tell you I've seen at least 18 electric motors replaced in 3 months. so 8 years is very optimistic for a fisker
Авто/Мото
Went to my local cars and coffee a few weekends ago...saw my first Fisker I have to say WOW...absolutely beautiful. Was sitting amongst all the Lambos and absolutely stuck out with pure beauty.
Anyone notice the little bug fall at 1:17 from the roof and then crawl across the center armrest at 1:20? Hope it's not a spider!
I am so taken by this car. It's unbelievably beautiful.
Just a gorgeous car inside and out. I would buy it in a heartbeat.
I like this car its really nicly stylish and sleek and looks amazing. One question, can I have one with a regular 3L V8?
@superboy1950 Top Gear did have the Karma on one of their recent episodes. Not sure if a clip is floating around youtube though.
Like the funny front look, beautiful lines, and the wide shoulders, and of course the interior too.
i have smoke shop near to their factory in anaheim. i saw 3 times on the road. the idea is excellent. looks nice
what's the life expectancy for the batteries and how much will it cost to replace them?
@123qcr Wouldn't make any difference apart from adding weight and using more fuel. The engine isn't mechanically connected to the wheels.
Look at that body roll! :D Its like going back in time 30 years :D
Its like a boat when it braked hard! :D
The future, gotta love it!
I can't wait for the convertible, its going to look sick!
@Philipracer Closer to $115k in real terms (tax, tag, title, winter wheels and tires). Official MSRP is $95,900 for the "cheap" one, another $5k for the one people are going to buy. Dealers won't sell below that (at the moment anyway) since demand greatly outstrips supply. Obviously taxes etc vary depending on location, but the winter wheels and tires add another $6k so now the base price is $107k.
Still, that's better than most of the competition, which mostly starts at $140k.
@sbs9026 grill looks reminiscent of some gm sport convertible as well
I have really loved the Tesla for it's looks and the technology, but after have found the Fisker Karma I fell in live with the looks. suddenly the Tesla looks like an ordinary sedan and is not appealing in comparison. Looking at the interior there is no competition at all, the Fisker wins without a doubt. The Tesla still have a better technology and it was very unfortunate that the Fisker did not survive as it would have been a great car after further development. Tesla is now after much development better in technology but the looks...ohhh my god the Fisker wins by faaaar. (I wished the Fisker Karma body on the P90 D chassis.)
I see the Fisker won you over with looks as well. Rest easy. They were revived with the Karma Revero.
great looking car, but does lack in performance ...BMW i8 is around same price, and much more tech / performance refined, a true high performance car, that gets twice the gas mileage of the Fisker/Karma... and while BMW's are common, the i8 is not, and does not resemble other BMW models, so it is a unique ride like the Karma.
@Mustang13luster How is 0-60 in 6 seconds 'very slow'? It's faster than most normal cars out there on the road.
how is 20mpg rating decided?
Did you guys get to drive it on public roads? How was that?
Wow that profile sure is sweet!
so what mechanics would fix it?if something goes wrong?
I love the sound of "stealth mode". It sounds like the type of car that Solid Snake from Metal Gear would drive lol
@flurry Of course I don't disagree with you that heavy cars have lower mpg. But the reason why this car is so heavy is because it's a hybrid and not because it's as roomy as 7series or can tow an RV. So being heavy because of the hybrid system, I thought it can do better. You see car's mpg from how heavy that vehicle is. I see it from what the car can do or what sacrifices for (eg, for towing,performance interior space). It's just matter of how we see the numbers from different point of views.
It looks ravishing.
I thought that, or the XKR. It also kind of looks like a Maserati in some ways. I think Fisker got inspiration from a lot of different luxury cars
@CAJFB That wasn't a rhetorical question.There are 3 basic components to a pure EV car. The battery, motor(s) and controller. Each gets handled differently. If the motor goes out, replace it. If they use a brushless motor, replace the brushes. If it's brushless, replace the whole thing. If it's a controller problem, diagnostics software would be used. If it's a battery issue, replace it. I never said the car was perfect.
@Steve8518 is that... a lot?
i saw one on the road the other day. pretty sweet
This car is amazing. LOVE IT! Did anyone notice the GM buttons on the steering wheel because I did...
Turbo charged 2.0L engine sounds over kill for the range extender. Maybe that's why is gets only 20MPG when it isn't plugged in?
Well pricing and performance often go hand in hand so that's probably what it is.
Plus the Karma is "helping" the environment with it's electrical engine which is very expensive, so that adds something to the price as well.
@timtime88 better the dead cows than all their methane/CO2 excretions?
I really like the music. Sounds like what should have been in the Gran Turismo 5 menu...
The nose almost sunk in the tarmac... 1 inch ground clearance at stopping?
Awesome!
Everything I have that runs on batteries always runs out and always at the wrong time it seems. Why would I want to have the same problem with a car?
is it rear wheel drive ?
I saw this same exact car in Carmel California. Same license plate
@ImZinck Actually it isn't a Hybrid ;) It's a fully electric car, kinda like the Tesla Roadster.
anyone have an idea about the price or did I miss it?
great stopping distance, considering the heavy weight ...
how much is this car and where is it made
@flurry I can't name any production car that weights 5,300 lbs that can manage over 15 MPG. May be we have different point of views looking about MPG. Considering it's weight, 20MPG is quite impressive. But I first looked at it as a car not a truck. I see this as a 4seater luxury hybrid coupe which is quite expensive.So from that point of view, I still think 20 is not that great number. Anyway my first point is that 2.0L turbo should be little smaller so it might get better MPG
anyone know the estimated cost for that? im looking for a good first car :D
Can I drop a V10 turbo in it?
@ironlobster exactly!
This is one very cool car! My only complaint is the mustache grills...
@suzukiaddress125
Hello? I too did wrote clearly that turbodiesel technology is the most practical fuel efficiency out there. Would it kill you to read slowly for once before flaming back?
P.S. A 2.0 gas turbo is NOT good to haul a 2.5 ton car if you want to call it a sports luxury sedan (remember, people with money never buys the slow-on-purpose model, no matter the mileage)
FINALLY, a cool hybrid!
@IDannyxss Enjoy your frequen and non-stop trips to the mechanic...
20 mpg? did i hear that right?
Is it funny how nobody mentions it looks like a Aston Martin... Taken into account that Henrik Fisker has been their lead designer for years...! Henrik Fisker is one of few people that makes Denmark proud.
that's what i thought too.. it just surprising that i seen this car in the showroom of infiniti dealership couple days ago with no price tag..
@zaneacademy
I agree, i'd also like to add the front end... it's kind off silly.
I like this car. It displays the beautiful processes and collaberation with humankind and technology. With this intelligently built and concieved hybrid, humans and technology are in Instant Karma!
but wait is this electric or hybrid ?
how much does this cost
@krasp28 We think a like. I would like to see the Ford ecoboost v6 and the new 5.0 motor install in this car.
@dom1abc1mbc Dunno about the price, but it's made in Finland
How much is it?
did it not break down this time? :P
@ironlobster
I wonder what it would take for people to overcome this irrational range anxiety.
"Have no range" to you means 160+km? Thats for the Leaf with varied conditions. Lets be honest, if that doesnt do it for you, you are one of a very small group of drivers.
And for more high end customers the Tesla Model S will offer a battery that takes you 480 km in one charge. When was the last time you drove freaking ~500km without a good rest!? Sane people use a train for those distances.
@jonbar87 lol. all those companies buy oil for the middle east 1, and 2 most gas stations are locally owned...
genius engineering
@Swordslingger America. Its a company from California
@gta4drpepper I would say mostly celebrities and leaders of state that really don't "care" about anything other than thier image. It's the politician's green car. As a status symbol, this car is actually pretty hard to beat.
The designer of this car designed the BMW z8 and the Aston Martin v8 vantage so it has design influences from both of those cars
@Steve8518 batteries are heavy
....it's very slow but is luxurious and very beautiful !
@undeadkillers since when does luxury have to mean heavy? and how does "green" or "eco" even share a sentence with a 5,000lbs car? This isn't a personal commentary to you, but since you mentioned the weight, these are obvious questions in general when a product like this comes to market. On an apples to apples comparison of FAT cars that dare to be "efficient", I'd choose the Audi A8 TDI over this
Fister?
This car is beautiful
what country is this from? Germany?
It's good enough for me!
It's most certainly a beautiful car
@krasp28 No thanks man. Do you have any idea what 981 pund feet of torque means? Yeeahh I would stick with the engine it has :p
people don't realize tesla was aimed at the lotus elise. and the fisker is aimed at the mercedes benz CLS class. its designed to be more of a luxury car, and add in a little exotic feeling but have hybrid status. not a sportscar which the tesla wants. the two cars aren't even designed to compete so i dont know why everyone compares them. its like comparing a landrover disco to a porsche 911.
would have been useful if you at least once mentioned that it was an electric car, preferably at the beginning... also, those figure 8 and other tests are fairly useless if we don't have anyting to compare it to. i can run around my lounge in about 5 seconds, but does it make me fast???
I believe that this is intelligently built.
@ryuoif122 More precisely, built in Finland at the same factory that built Porsches. Tho' Fisker Automotive is a company registered in the USA. BUT... Henrik Fisker, the genious behind both the car and the company is actually a Dane. In my opinion that makes the car a bit multicultural. :D
My dream car.
@Steve8518: Yep. The car has 2 electric motors, 1 gas motor as the generator and god knows how many batteries.
@flurry You really love to argue don't you? I just wrote what felt, which is the 2.0L turbo sounds too big just to spin the range extending generator. There is no intention to argue or criticize Karma. In fact I wrote this is the best looking 4door coupe and I liked it :)
20mpg rating?
@dasfurian they dont?
@AcXr50 In my opinion they should make a fake sound that would sound really good and realistic. And you would be able to toggle it on/off :-) How about that?
nice interrior did i hear him correctly the weight is 2 tons? 5000 lbs
remember folks coal bealching power plants create the electricity for this "eco friendly"car however it is one of the best electric lookers out there
@setsallset in other words perfect.................if something is too good to be true it usually is...........and no car is perfect some time some where a part will need to be replaced or electronic codes will have to be done and checked......
Any PRICE idea?
I like it
From the looks of it all, Fisker seems to be a back door GM funded operation? It just had that look plus the GM style airbag tags hanging from the glove box as well ??? Anybody else get the same feeling ???
And it's car of the year!!!
well considering i work at a dealership where these are sold. and see whats going on. i can tell you I've seen at least 18 electric motors replaced in 3 months.
so 8 years is very optimistic for a fisker
1:20 Goddamn fly crawling on the hand rest
Wait, why only 20mpg?
@flurry yeah right
@ratmtbola I know, 6 seconds is great for a luxury car. I also love the irony of someone with Mustang in their name calling something slow.
Agreed
This or bmw 530e?
I want this car sooooo bad!