Fisker Karma shows the world what they can do at Laguna Seca

[GMusa]

Fisker Karma shows the world what they can do at Laguna Seca



The Laguna Seca hosted a number of impressive race cars over the weekend, some of them thrilling fans with their sheer speed, while others making them cringe for crashing into tire barriers. Lost in the hoopla of the vintages and exotics that drove around Seca was a car that could very well be the future of sports cars: the Fisker Karma hybrid.

The Karma – we love the name, by the way – made its driving debut at the Seca last weekend as part of the Monterey Historic Automobile Races and by any and all indication, impressed the gathered crowd by attaining speeds in excess of 100 mph without using a drop of gasoline. The hybrid sports car is unique for its twin-electric motors – which are capable of producing as much as 403 hp and 959lb/ft of torque – are connected to a 200kW lithiuim-ion battery pack that allows the car to travel by as much as 8o kmh.

The car’s performance at the Seca re-affirmed the growing belief that ‘green’ sports cars are more than just a pipe dream now. Henrik Fisker, the CEO of the company was on-hand for the demonstration and made no bones about the Karma’s impressive showing. “This demonstration represents a significant milestone for Fisker Automotive and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) technology,” he said.

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-new...a-ar78137.html

[GMusa]

I love what Fisker is doing! And the cars are gorgeous!!! Best of all... its American!

Everyone has seen it .. but ill share some pics anyway!

[chaseabryant]

Man, such an impressive vehicle in person. I'd love to see it actually moving around the track... Time to search for a video!

-Chase

[GMusa]

Originally Posted by chaseabryant

Man, such an impressive vehicle in person. I'd love to see it actually moving around the track... Time to search for a video!

-Chase

Post it if you find any.

[chaseabryant]

haha, sounds like a space ship!

+ YouTube Video

There was another video with rolling shots, but it just looks like something Fisker put out to advertise the vehicle. No real noises, just annoying music.

I do have to say that the sound of an engine will be something that I sorely miss if this is truly the future of the automobile. Or, companies will just have to engineer some sort of super-awesome sounding electric whine

-Chase

[GMusa]

Originally Posted by chaseabryant

haha, sounds like a space ship!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4iuj...layer_embedded

-Chase

That was fast lol .. nice find!

[Raskolnikov]

And it uses a 2.0L Turbo Ecotec to charge the batteries!! Nice choice.

[ogg vorbis]

a 200 kw battery must weigh 100+ lb and take forever to charge!

the interior is nice, but looks a little overstuffed.

the driver wasn't hitting his apexes

[Exploder]

Great pictures GMusa.

At least there's one American RWD high-end luxury sedan...even if it's made in Finland.

[AMcA]

Originally Posted by ogg vorbis

a 200 kw battery must weigh 100+ lb and take forever to charge!

the interior is nice, but looks a little overstuffed.

the driver wasn't hitting his apexes

The Volt's battery is 400+ lbs. This thing's gotta be bigger than that, given the Karma is a far larger car with a performance orientation and greater range.

600 lbs wouldn't be a . . . shock.

[CaptainDan]

This is the kind of publicity that help all electric cars.

Electric cars aren't golf carts anymore!

[camaro_freak]

Originally Posted by CaptainDan

This is the kind of publicity that help all electric cars.

Electric cars aren't golf carts anymore!

still sounds like one though... I will miss the sound of a throaty v8 when we all are forced to go green and drive electric cars.

[-World Class-]

GM ought to start a partnership with Fisker or some kind of JV. I mean Fisker already uses GM engines...maybe GM can use Fisker electric motors (almost 1000 ft-lbs!?) to make a production Cadillac Converj.

They could even merge Voltec and Q-Drive (Fisker's electric powertrain) development to lower costs.

I see potential here!

[91fairladyZ]

Originally Posted by -World Class-

GM ought to start a partnership with Fisker or some kind of JV. I mean Fisker already uses GM engines...maybe GM can use Fisker electric motors (almost 1000 ft-lbs!?) to make a production Cadillac Converj.

They could even merge Voltec and Q-Drive (Fisker's electric powertrain) development to lower costs.

I see potential here!

There has got to be someone thinking this at the two companies. Just makes too much sense.

[drew630]

Originally Posted by chaseabryant

haha, sounds like a space ship!


There was another video with rolling shots, but it just looks like something Fisker put out to advertise the vehicle. No real noises, just annoying music.

I do have to say that the sound of an engine will be something that I sorely miss if this is truly the future of the automobile. Or, companies will just have to engineer some sort of super-awesome sounding electric whine

-Chase

Seriously, even the driver looks like he could fall asleep...