Official Fisker Karma thread

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LTLFTcomposite

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http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/fisker-karma-deliveries-still-parked-zero-203020010.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The launch of the Fisker Karma has been delayed repeatedly, blowing several deadlines set by the automaker which is backed by a $529 million federal loan.
 
A123 is reporting that the batteries supplied to Fisker had misaligned hose clamps, part of the internal cooling system, that can cause coolant to leak. The coolant leak could lead to a potential electrical short circuit. A123 also did express that only about 50 vehicles are impacted by this and fixes are already underway.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/12/fisker-batteries-may-have-safety-issue-says-supplier.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


I wonder if 50 is the total units delivered to date? That would be scary bad sales..
 
DrInnovation said:
I wonder if 50 is the total units delivered to date? That would be scary bad sales..
The OP's article from December 7th says "Fisker hadn't officially completed a sale to a customer yet."

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/november-2011-dashboard-rebound-continues-33361.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has it as unreported.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-23/fisker-seeks-to-lift-karma-sales-to-move-on-from-loan-scrutiny.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; says:
Shipments of Karmas have begun, with 225 sent to dealers so far and 1,200 units “in the pipeline,” Chief Executive Officer Henrik Fisker said in an interview.
No word on the # of completed sales.
 
LTLFTcomposite said:
Will this car be so awesome as to justify 3X the price of a LEAF?

apparantly you have not seen the first "ad" for the car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL6GsFjaIME&feature=player_embedded#t=5s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(clue, the add is NOT selling the car)
"Designed to get you hot, not the planet"

Hey, it's only $95K (base model), $109K loaded, 50EV miles, and then it gets 20MPG on the gasoline range extender.... Theyll be selling like hotcakes (not)

It does have more torque than a Bugatti Veyron, which costs 18 times as much, and is not availble unless you have a net worth of at least 300 million.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"The Karma's two 201 brake horsepower (204 PS) motors produce 1,300 newton metres (960 ft·lbf) of torque, more than the Bugatti Veyron at 1,250 N·m (920 ft·lbf).[22][23] The Karma features a 125 mph (201 km/h) top speed and is capable of reaching 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 5.8 seconds.[24]"
 
And with its curb weight of 5300 lbs (http://www.fiskerautomotive.com/en-us/karma/specifications" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), it's heavier than an 07 Chevy Tahoe (a monstrosity class SUV) per http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2007-chevrolet-tahoe-13.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

It's funny that some first drives from early 2011 pegged the Karma as having an estimated 4100 lb. curb weight. Whoops!
 
It isn't easy being an independant new car manufacturer.

For that matter a 100 year old campany. Just see how well the orders for FFE are going :shock:

Ofcourse there are a number of "journalists" baying for Obama's blood.
 
evnow said:
It isn't easy being an independant new car manufacturer.

For that matter a 100 year old campany. Just see how well the orders for FFE are going :shock:
Out of curiosity, do you have any links to stories or figures about FFE orders?
 
Fisker officially recalls 239 Karmas over battery safety issue:
http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/29/fisker-officially-recalls-karma-over-battery-safety-issue/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
Another Fisker recall and a quote from a frustrated owner at http://www.chargedevs.com/content/news-wire/post/updated-software-glitch-forces-fisker-recall-karmas" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
 
It looks like the end may be near for Fisker...

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-fisker-layoff-20120206,0,187452.story" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
TomT said:
It looks like the end may be near for Fisker...

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-fisker-layoff-20120206,0,187452.story" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That seems to overstate things a bit. Obviously they're having issues, but the Nina is well down the road from the Karma. If they were laying off workers building the Karma, that would be a different story.
 
Perhaps, but it feels like the continuation of a negative trend with them...
GRA said:
TomT said:
It looks like the end may be near for Fisker...
http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-fisker-layoff-20120206,0,187452.story" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That seems to overstate things a bit. Obviously they're having issues, but the Nina is well down the road from the Karma. If they were laying off workers building the Karma, that would be a different story.
 
In that price range, I don't know who in their right mind wouldn't prefer a Tesla Model S Signature Edition, with 300 miles of electric range, over a Karma.
 
abasile said:
In that price range, I don't know who in their right mind wouldn't prefer a Tesla Model S Signature Edition, with 300 miles of electric range, over a Karma.

Ah, but does the Tesla have more torque than a Bugatti Veyron? I think not!
and, if and when Fisker goes away, you'll have one of 250-300 vehicles, clearly a collectors item. The real issue with the Karma is the 20MPG in range extended mode, thats a real deal killer to any environmentalist buyers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"The Karma's two 201 brake horsepower (204 PS) motors produce 1,300 newton metres (960 ft·lbf) of torque, more than the Bugatti Veyron at 1,250 N·m (920 ft·lbf).[22][23] The Karma features a 125 mph (201 km/h) top speed and is capable of reaching 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 5.8 seconds.[24]"
 
mitch672 said:
Ah, but does the Tesla have more torque than a Bugatti Veyron? I think not!
The Karma may have more torque than a Veyron, but by the time the Karma hits 60 mph the Veyron is well over 100 mph.

Not to mention that even the 40 kWh Model S which is significantly cheaper ($57k) than the Karma will hit 60 mph just 0.2s slower (6.5s vs 6.3s) and even the significantly quicker Model S Performance with a 4.4s 0-60 is still cheaper than the Karma at $93k.

And I'd bet that it will be nearly twice as efficient on the EPA cycle as well as the Karma is not only a gas hog in range extender mode, but an electron hog in EV mode.

The only advantage that the Karma has is that it has a range extender (but do you really need one with a 85 kWh battery pack?) and that they are delivering cars now while the Model S is still 4-5 months out from first deliveries.

I really hope that their next car is better.
 
abasile said:
mitch672 said:
60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 5.8 seconds
The Model S Signature Performance is supposed to do 0-60 in 4.4 seconds.

yeah, well, when they start shipping them, let's look at it then. At least Fisker is shipping some Karma's, the same cannot be said of Tesla, yet. FYI, the Bugatti Veyron is a 16 cylinder monster, that costs $1.8 million, if you could get them to sell you one (which they won't unless you have a high net worth), of course it's one of top gears favorites, not many cars a private person can buy can make it to 252 MPH (but only has enough fuel for 12 minutes, but that's ok, because at that speed the tires only last 20 minutes, and cost $100K to replace)
 
mitch672 said:
abasile said:
mitch672 said:
60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 5.8 seconds
The Model S Signature Performance is supposed to do 0-60 in 4.4 seconds.
yeah, well, when they start shipping them, let's look at it then. At least Fisker is shipping some Karma's, the same cannot be said of Tesla, yet.
Well, if you want to compare shipping cars, Tesla has been shipping the Roadster for years now and it does 0-60 in less than 4 seconds.

mitch672 said:
FYI, the Bugatti Veyron is a 16 cylinder monster, that costs $1.8 million
You were the one who brought up the super-car as a comparison.

Torque at the motor means squat, really. What really matters is torque at the wheels and with a 6.3 second 0-60 it obviously does not produce all that much at the wheels for a $100k car (or it can only produce peak torque over a very narrow RPM range).
 
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