The Fisker Karma is a luxury plug-in range-extended electric sports sedan that was produced by Fisker Automotive in 2012. The car was first revealed at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and was the first car from the then new auto maker based in Anaheim, California. Production of the Fisker Karma began in July 2011 and the first deliveries took place in the U.S. later that month. The car was rated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a combined city/highway fuel economy of 52 mpg-e in all-electric mode and 20 mpg in gasoline-only mode. The EPA also rated the Fisker Karma as a subcompact car due to its small cabin interior volume
The Fisker Karma was initially priced at US$102,000 for the base model, US$110,000 for the intermediate model, and US$116,000 for the top model. Around 1,800 units were delivered in North America and Europe through December 2012 with the U.S. being the leading market. However, production was suspended in November 2012 after the sole battery supplier to Fisker Automotive, A123 Systems, filed for bankruptcy following two battery recalls.
The Fisker Karma was designed by renowned car designer Henrik Fisker, who was also behind the design of the BMW Z8 and the Aston Martin DB9. He formed Fisker Automotive in 2007 with the aim of creating a luxury electric vehicle with extended range capabilities. The Karma was the first vehicle produced by the company, and it quickly became known for its stunning design and innovative technology.
One interesting fact about the Fisker Karma is that it had an EcoChic option, which was a vegan-friendly interior made from recycled and sustainable materials. The seats were made from a synthetic suede material, while the door panels and dashboard were trimmed with cork, which is a renewable resource.
Another unique feature of the Fisker Karma was its “Qi” wireless charging system. The car was equipped with a charging pad in the center console, which allowed owners to charge their mobile devices simply by placing them on the pad. This was a cutting-edge feature for its time and set the Fisker Karma apart from other luxury vehicles on the market.
The Fisker Karma and Tesla Motors have a somewhat intertwined history, as they both aimed to bring high-end electric vehicles to the market. However, their approaches and the paths they took differed significantly. One interesting fact is that Tesla filed a lawsuit against Fisker Automotive in 2008, alleging that the designer of the Karma, Henrik Fisker, stole Tesla’s Model S hybrid technology and was using it to develop the Karma. The lawsuit claimed that the design work done for the Model S sedan by Fisker Coachbuild was substandard, and that Fisker Automotive diverted its best ideas to the Karma. However, the lawsuit was eventually discontinued after an interim ruling in favor of Fisker et al.
Another interesting fact is that both companies received government funding to help them bring their vehicles to the market. Fisker was awarded a $529 million green-energy loan from the United States Department of Energy, while Tesla received a $465 million loan from the same organization. However, while Tesla used its loan to become one of the most valuable car companies in the world, Fisker was unable to meet the government’s milestones and was forced to file for bankruptcy.
Despite these differences, both the Fisker Karma and the Tesla Model S have been praised for their stylish design, high-tech features, and innovative powertrains. However, the Karma was not without its flaws, as it faced several issues with its battery supplier and was criticized for its limited range and reliability issues. In contrast, the Model S has become a symbol of Tesla’s success and a benchmark for electric vehicles.
While the Fisker Karma and Tesla Model S were both aimed at bringing high-end electric vehicles to the market, their paths and approaches were vastly different, and only one of them was able to achieve long-term success. Despite its flaws, the Karma remains an interesting footnote in the history of electric vehicles and a testament to the challenges and obstacles that electric carmakers face.
Fisker Automotive filed for bankruptcy in November 2013. In February 2014 Chinese auto parts company Wanxiang Group purchased Fisker Automotive’s assets at a bankruptcy auction for $149.2 million, which included the designs, the plug-in hybrid technology, and the manufacturing facility in Delaware. The new owners, now under the name Karma Automotive, announced plans to restart production of the Fisker Karma, which was later renamed the Karma Revero. The acquisition by the Chinese company marked a significant turning point in the history of the Fisker Karma, as it brought new life and resources to the struggling automaker. The Wanxiang Group was optimistic about the future of the Karma Revero and saw potential in the electric car market. The company committed to investing in the technology and bringing it up to the latest standards. The Karma Revero was launched in 2016 and the company started taking orders for the updated model, marking a new chapter for the once troubled luxury electric car.
