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Monday, January 12, 2009 2:26:33 PM
So this car is for real? nice
Monday, January 12, 2009 3:15:22 PM
About time a decent car was made.  When and where can I buy one?
Monday, January 12, 2009 5:36:06 PM

With specs like this:

408 horsepower and 959 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Also add to that 260 horses from the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder.

 

This is not very impressive when it's zero to 60 mph is 5.8 seconds which even a $30,000 Pontiac G8 can do.  I know most are not going to buy this one for speed so looking at gas mileage, the Karma will go about 300 miles on fully charged batteries and a full gas tank.  You would have to fill up your tank and then wait to charge it which who knows how long that would take and then you're good to go.  There are a lot of none electric cars now and or partial hybrids that can go 300 miles on a tank of gas.  A Toyota Corolla has an 11 gallon tank and it gets 36 miles per gallon which is 396 and it only costs $18,000 for the car. Sales will be though since it's over $87,000 and yet there are some that will buy an electric car that is $69,000 more than a Corolla so they can save money on $1.32 a gallon of gas?

If you’re the type that would spend a lot of money on a car mostly based on looks and then try to justify to the wife (like myself) rather than just to save the planet, save gas money, race others or for the convenience since you have to wait to charge the car so you can go to the store, than this is the car for you.

 

Having said that, I think this car looks amazing and I can't wait to get one.  Hope she understands!

Thanks

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:48:05 AM

Sean,

Please provide address to the source of your info.  These are not the specs I have read.  I remember reading that Fisker Karma goes 600 miles on a full tank (first 50 on battery alone) and is able to give on average around 100 mpg. Of course all that could have changed since my last reading.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 9:16:45 AM
Many sites are still reporting 620 Miles on a full tank but there is growing evidence that the range will be 350 miles.  Also there is growing evidence that the fuel economy on gas only operation would be around 40 MPG.  The 100 MPG figure relies on the average commute being like 70 or 80 miles 50 of which would use no gas on fully charged batteries via house electricity. BTW, one does not need to wait for the batteries to charge to use the car. You can never charge the batteries via plugs and let the gas engine always charge the batteries and still get 300 (or 250 according to this article) miles per tank of gas.  Compared to many luxury cars this car is still a great value if the quality is up there with German brands and the fuel economy specs are not lowered further by release time.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:35:23 PM

Hi MrKay,

Thanks for the response.  I'm not sure where your getting the 620 Miles on a full tank stats at, but you next response says "that there is growing evidence that the range will be 350 miles."

My quote is found in the article on this page.  Go to the top of the right on this page and look at Related Articles.  Underneath will be Article: Fisker Karma and that will tell you the specs from a writer at the auto show. 

About halfway down says "The Karma will go about 300 miles on fully charged batteries and a full gas tank. The car can recharge on a regular 110-volt household outlet or a higher-powered 220-volt socket."

 

I'm sure that will perfect conditions, you might be able to do better and I'm also sure there is better technology out there.  Even a 1990 Ford Festiva can get around 50 miles per gallon yet most new cars can't even do better than 36 mpg.

I didn't say that this is a good value if your looking at and amazing $87,000 luxury sports car.  I would buy one in a heart beat.  I did say that in according to the article, if you are going to buy it for gas mileage or speed than there are many other options that are even $50,000 less and get about the same mpg and zero to 60 at 5.8.

Please let me know where it says 620 on one tank.  If true, that is awesome!  Also if true, do you think the gas company's will let that happen?

Thanks 

Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:00:37 AM

They claim 300 miles on a tank of gas. How much is a tank 1 tablespoon or 100 gallons.  Does anyone know?    Why a 260 hp turbo only for the purpose of charging if it can charge on 110v a briggs and stratton can produce 220v. Beautiful design but with that much HP I'm not impressed with the performance. Although if you are retired or just toot about town and you can only use batteries this car would be a sweet deal and I guess every little bit counts when it comes to the planet. Thanks for trying but back to the drawing board for the every day Joe American. Why doesn't anyone just make a cheap electric vehicle that goes 70 or less that doesn't look like a Ferrari but goes about 100 miles on a charge and costs about $5000 that we could all buy for a spare car to do our errands and short commutes. Sell it on "pride in doing my part" not because you want to show off but you really want to do your part to save the environment. If you think about 90% of us don't drive more than 100 miles a day unless we are taking a road trip. How much gas would that save? I think the numbers would be huge!!!!   Just think how much more fun it would be to take out the 400hp Corvette on Sundays after driving in your electric putt putt all week!

Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:50:42 AM
thsnk you for your post, you are a genious, im in the middle of a 1984 interceptor becoming electric giving me 90MPH max and about 60 miles per charge i work only 12 miles from home, im preparing to buy an older model jetta or geo metro to turn it into electric, for the same reason.
Ill tell you it is cheaper for you to take a car you love and turn it into electric than  for you to buy one, a forklift will give you the motor you need to couple to your transmision,  and a load of car batteries or other type for the power, and you are correct about the briggs and stratton generator, when the batteries run low, run the generator(in the trunk with some ventilation and an exaust run to the outside) to run the car while charging the batteries, and switching to battery power to rest the briggs and stratton after charging for ultimate gass millage all can be done with Bosh relays.

Thursday, January 15, 2009 8:41:53 AM

Let me know when they make one that gets 500 miles on a tank and I will trade my husband, house, pets, and second born child for it just as it is in the photo.

WOW!

Monday, January 19, 2009 10:00:12 AM
Amazing.  Instead of bailing GM & Chrysler out, why not invest in this little company that could?  Stunning designs, awesome technology, what's not to like?Thumbs up
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