Cool Cars and Hot Girls

The Karma will plug into an ordinary household outlet and take about eight hours to charge on a 110-volt system and less time on a 220-volt system. Once fully charged, the vehicle will go 50 miles on electricity alone, Henrik said.

He said the vehicle will be produced in North America.

The sporty car has a solar panel on the roof to help recharge the battery. When running on gasoline, the vehicle is tuned to produce a sound " somewhere between a Formula One car and a jet plane," Henrik Fisker said.

The first batch of 99 will be signed by the designer, Henrik Fisker.

Fisker Automotive plans to sell the first of its premium plug-in hybrid vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2009.

FISKER AUTOMOTIVE UNVEILS FISKER KARMA, FIRST EVER LUXURY PLUG-IN HYBRID

DETROIT, Jan. 14 -- Fisker Automotive, Inc., a green American premium sports car company, today unveiled its first production car, the Fisker Karma, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The first of its kind four-door plug-in hybrid premium sports sedan will have a starting price of $80,000. Initial deliveries of the Karma will commence in the 4th quarter of 2009 with annual production projected to reach 15,000 cars. The first 99 cars off the assembly line will be individually numbered and signed by Henrik Fisker and will be produced in the color and trim of the show car seen at NAIAS.

In Buddhism/Hinduism, Karma is defined as the force generated by a person's good or evil actions which determines the nature of the person's next existence. The Fisker Karma allows consumers to practice good Karma -- driving a car that is environmentally friendly -- without sacrificing the extreme comfort and style of the luxury automobile category.

"In creating Fisker Automotive, Inc. we sought to develop a range of beautiful, environmentally friendly cars that make environmental sense without compromise," said Fisker Automotive, Inc. CEO Henrik Fisker. "Our hope is that the Fisker Karma will be the start of a new trend in the automotive business -- less concession with more efficiency."

The car features cutting-edge plug-in hybrid technology, penned as Q DRIVE, developed by Quantum Technologies exclusively for Fisker Automotive. The Karma's Q DRIVE configuration consists of a small gasoline engine that turns the generator, which charges the lithium ion battery pack, powering the electric motor and turning the rear wheels. This proprietary design allows consumers to drive the car emission free for up to 50 miles a day provided the car is charged every evening. It's conceivable that if consumers follow this daily routine, they will only need to fuel the car but once a year. This Q DRIVE technology will provide a base for all future derivatives from Fisker Automotive.

"Our goal here is to deliver the advancement that Quantum Technologies has made in the area of plug-in hybrid technology. By combining our efforts with the renowned design talent of Henrik Fisker, we can produce cars that make a difference to the environment -- without sacrificing the luxury that accompanies the finest automobiles," stated Alan Niedzwiecki, CEO Quantum Technologies.

Fisker Karma Design

The sleek design of the Fisker Karma, which accentuates the long hood, is a direct result of the breakthrough all-new from the ground up chassis design with powertrain development. This unique design places the battery pack at the center of the vehicle between the two axles, providing optimal vehicle driving dynamics, maximum safety, and proportionate design. Both the interior and exterior of the car will be put to market as seen at the NAIAS.

Fisker Karma Interior

The Karma's luxurious interior boasts four individual first class seats, a modern and sophisticated interior design and a spacious luggage capacity that can fit two golf bags and luggage in the trunk. Other interior optional features to include:

-- Electronic Aides: Navigation system, DVD system incorporated into seat backs and state-of-the art push utton controls
-- Seating Comfort: Four individual "first class" seats
-- Driving Modes: The driver will be able to select between two modes of driving. The first mode is "Stealth Drive," which is the quiet economy mode for optimal relaxed and efficient driving. By flipping the second paddle behind the steering wheel, the car will switch to "Sport Drive," which will access the full power of the vehicle.

Fisker Karma Exterior

The all new from the ground up exterior design features a continual flow of sculpture and dramatic proportion. Similar in height to the Porsche 911, the length of the Mercedes Benz CLS, and the width of a BMW 7-series, the Fisker Karma's structure and body panels will make extensive use of aluminum to keep the overall vehicle weight as low as possible. Additionally, a new drive train configuration will provide optimal weight distribution. The vehicle's low and wide stance offers the driver a unique view of the fenders from the inside of the car.

The Fisker Karma will offer partly self-contained climate control, as consumers will have the option to purchase a full length solar roof that will help charge the car and provide cooling for the interior cabin while the car is parked. Additionally, Fisker Automotive will offer consumers an option to purchase a set of solar panels for their roofs or garages where they can generate electricity during the day to charge the car overnight...again cost and emission free.

Other exterior details to take note of include:

-- Exterior Panels: Extensive use of lightweight materials used for optimal weight and driving dynamics
-- Solar Panel Roof: The Karma will offer self-contained climate control,as consumers will have the option
to purchase a full length solar roof that will help charge the car and provide cooling for the interior
cabin while the car is parked
-- Plug-In Configuration: Small bonnet "doors" for easy charging and engine fluids refill
-- 22-inch lightweight alloy wheels
-- LED tail-lamps
-- Driver visibility: Front fenders visible with a view of the long hood

Fisker Karma Performance & Dynamics:

-- 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds
-- Top speed beyond 125 mph
-- Torque: The karma will have maximum torque available from 0 mph with a
dramatic acceleration to its top speed
-- Stance of car: The low center of gravity provides optimal sport vehicle driving dynamics
-- Innovation: The Karma will feature a newly developed lightweight body and structure
-- Braking: The Karma will feature regenerative brakes to recapture braking energy

Two limited-edition high-performance sports cars designed by ex-Aston designer Henrik Fisker are about to make their appearance on Britain's roads.

Just 150 of each model - the Fisker 2006 Tramonto and the 2006 Fisker Latigo CS - from California-based Fisker are being made for the whole world. Only single figures will be made right hand drive for the UK market.

Production of the Tramonto and the Latigo began two months ago, and the first one will be seen in the UK in the autumn at the same time as the 2006 Paris motor show.

Chris Murphy, who founded The Cars Finders International last year, a business that specialises in sourcing rare, bespoke and magnificent cars from anywhere in the world, said: "Fisker is taking 'coachbuild' - the enhancement of an existing production car - on to a new level.

"We are delighted to bring these cars to UK automotive enthusiasts, and we foresee them selling out by Christmas."

The prototypes of the two cars were unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show last year.

Orders are now being taken for delivery in the UK, with customers able to choose their personal car number - any number, for example 007, between 001 and 150 - subject to availability.

To buy one of the Fisker models, customers purchase the appropriate Mercedes-Benz or BMW, specifying the factory options they desire, or they may already own one. They then notify The Car Finders International which makes the arrangements to have the car transported to Italy for conversion. The process, from pickup to delivery, will take two months. Car Finders can also find the base car for the conversion should a customer require it.

The car upgrades start at £60,000, rising to £100,000, on top of the cost of the original Mercedes-Benz or BMW.
Fisker 2006 Tramonto

The Tramonto, based on a Mercedes-Benz SL chassis, is a two-seat convertible, delivering 610 horsepower and 0-60mph in just 3.6 seconds. The top speed of the five-speed automatic is electronically limited to 202mph.

Mercedes-Benz's technological innovations, from the power-retractable hardtop to Active Body Control, remain untouched, as do the safety systems, including crumple zones and airbags.
2006 Fisker Latigo CS

The Latigo is based on a BMW 6 Series. As in the Tramonto, all electronic, telematic and safety systems remain untouched from the original manufacturer, and every original vehicle option is available. An elegant coupe, the Latigo six-speed manual delivers up to 500 horsepower, 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds and has a top speed of 155mph.