Finally, a hybrid supercar — the Fisker Karma — cleans up the streets.
By Nicholas Mosquera, October 2008
MensVogue.com

Fisker Karma



When it's not plugged in, the Karma gets a charge from its solar cells; $80,000, fiskerautomotive.com. (Photo: Fisker Automotive)

Despite all the auto-industry talk of apocalypse-averting advances, things are not looking good. Gas is four dollars a gallon and that whole global-warming thing still hasn't been worked out. Fortunately, times are changing: The Fisker Karma, a marriage of sexy and sustainable, is the first hybrid that could humble a supercar. Its designer, Henrik Fisker, is the legend behind the BMW Z8 and the Aston Martin DB9. The 45-year-old Dane partnered with Quantum Technologies, the engineering firm that developed a plug-in powertrain for Delta Force. The result is the $80,000 four-seater Karma (top speed: 125 miles per hour; zero to 60 in six seconds). "I think there's the fear that to do an environmental car, it has to be small and light," Fisker said from his Irvine, California, headquarters. Instead, the Karma has the height of a Porsche 911, the length of a Mercedes CLS, and the width of a BMW 7 Series.

But it's the Pentagon-pedigree power source that's whiplashing heads. After an eight-hour top-up from any regular outlet, the lithium-ion battery powers the Karma for 50 miles with zero emissions before the high-rpm, gearless gas engine kicks in to keep the battery charged for another 300. Also, there are solar panels on the roof of the car for carbon-neutral recharging. Since 78 percent of Americans drive less than 40 miles a day, Fisker believes he's divined one answer to hydrocarbon abuse — at least until hydrogen takes over. "Current hybrids, they're there to improve fuel economy," he said. "Ours is about not using gas at all."

The first 100 Karmas — including Al Gore's — will arrive by the end of 2009. Later, Fisker will open 44 U.S. dealerships and sell 15,000 Karmas annually. The only fuel on their drivers' minds will be the caffeinated kind.

Tags: Gadgets,Home