Las Vegas was the first stop of the US debut road show for the Fisker Karma visiting 43 dealers across the country have committed to sell this unique $100 grand electric hybrid sports car. The car is beautiful to look at, and hopefully as great to drive… in June 2011.
The Fisker Karma on display travels by carriage with it’s own engineer but no test drives allowed. The proto-type leaves many asking questions the production side hasn’t disclosed.
What they do tell you is the Fisker Karma is a totally GREEN machine, replete with three color “Happy Cow” leather, a leather derived from organically-fed animals allowed to live a satisfied life before their hides are “harvested” in a completely sustainable relationship with the globe. The wood is also recycled from burned-up California Redwoods or Lake Michigan driftwood and the solar-paneled roof powers all the electrical functions. Those silver tips on the back side are speakers so people can hear the car coming, not exhaust tips, cause theirs no exhaust, even when you run the remaining 278 miles off the gas tank. The electric range is 50 miles, a distance Fisker studies indicate will get most Americans in this strata safely to the office, where they can plug into a 220 for a 5 hour rapid charge. The standard plug-in “fueling” requires an overnight 8-12 hours. The start button is on the side of the shifter, resembling a pilot’s control, under which glass panels reveal the energy consumption levels. No armrest storage and tiny cup holders hide the center tunnel drive shaft where the system for the heated and (possibly) cooled seats may prevail. The interior is nicely finished, yet many questions prevail…
Whose Navigation system will they use? Will it have park assist and back-up cameras? Is the sound system going to be BOSE? What’s the tax incentive? Will it beat Tesla to market?
It’s made in California, with millions of dollars in government-aid to grow the alternative fuel auto industry. The man behind the Fisker Karma once designed the TESLA, and left to create his own vision and version, with 407hp and 125mph in the power plant. This is not a quarter-horse out the gate but a thoroughbred in the finish. BREMBO brakes ensure the car will stop with precision. Amos, Fisker’s traveling (43 cities in 10 weeks) engineer says there is some carbon fiber but the majority of the car is aluminum on a sub-frame. The truth will be in the test drive, which will hopefully happen by June 2011 as the first dealer demos arrive. Orders are being taken for owners willing to wait for one of the 15,000 anticipated production.
Place your refundable deposit soon, so you get one before the rush…
Call me 702-788-3868 I have an in to get you on the list.
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Sarah Lee is an automotive writer, presonal car conceirge and commercial fleet manager. If you need free advice on your car problem, question, issue, contact her at sarahlee@mycarlady.com,mvides422@gmail.com,carlady@cox.net for a confidential conversation.
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