Fisker Karma - First Test Drive

[Grendal]

From ABG:

http://green.autoblog.com/2011/02/21/2012-fisker-karma-first-drive-review-road-test/

300 miles with 9.5 gallon tank in sport mode.

[PatQ562]

The reviewers were highly impressed, although I assume the Tesla S will meet or beat its performance with no need for an ICE thrashing about.

[NeilBlanchard]

31MPG is pretty ho hum...

[Grendal]

31MPG is pretty ho hum...

True. But not for a super car. Besides, that was in sport mode. They didn't mention the mileage in regular mode.

Like the Tesla Roadster, the Karma seems to be the expensive test bed for the technology. I'm more curious about the sedan to follow.

Certainly the Model S will be the test for a pure electric luxury sedan. It too has a lot to live up to.

[DSC OFF]

True. But not for a super car. Besides, that was in sport mode. They didn't mention the mileage in regular mode.

Like the Tesla Roadster, the Karma seems to be the expensive test bed for the technology. I'm more curious about the sedan to follow.

Certainly the Model S will be the test for a pure electric luxury sedan. It too has a lot to live up to.


Plus, that's the mileage when you run the tank dry. Stick to 50 mile or less commutes and you won't use a drop. In my world of driving, the gas engine would only kick on during about 20% of my mileage.

[NeilBlanchard]

Well, the FVT eVaro goes ~125 miles on a 21kWh battery pack and goes ~300-350 miles on just 2.2 gallons of gasoline in charging mode, and it accelerates 0-60 in under 5 seconds.

[SlowSRT4]

Well, the FVT eVaro goes ~125 miles on a 21kWh battery pack and goes ~300-350 miles on just 2.2 gallons of gasoline in charging mode, and it accelerates 0-60 in under 5 seconds.
It doesn't serve as a good comparison to the Karma. The eVaro is an impractical science project. The Karma is what many would consider a "real" car.

[PatQ562]

I give the FVT credit for fearlessly pushing the envelope, and they SHOULD be able to get their >100 miles on a 21kWh pack (160-200wh/mi is "respectable" but only similar to the EV1), but I would want some verification on getting >150mpg while using gasoline, if that is what is implied by "350-400 miles on 2.2 gallons of gasoline in charge mode". Even Edison2 struggled to reach 100mpg during the X-prize with a much lighter car. I would question this claim even if the first 125 miles are run on electricity. As always, inquiring minds want to see results in 3rd party hands.

Nonetheless, I agree that low-30 mpg is not very inspiring for the Karma (or the Volt for that matter).

Pat Q

[Grendal]

Nonetheless, I agree that low-30 mpg is not very inspiring for the Karma (or the Volt for that matter).

Pat Q

+1 on that.

I bought a Geo Metro Wagon in 1994 for 8K and got 45 to 50 MPG for 250,000 miles. I have yet to see any modern vehicle that can come close to matching those numbers.

Of course we are only at the infancy of the electric/hybrid revolution.