Fisker Karma S Named Best Electric Vehicle At 2009 NAIAS

Fisker Automotive collected another award for the new Karma S (Sunset) hardtop convertible: Best Electric Vehicle at the 2009 NAIAS by the Detroit News. The production-ready Karma and the concept Karma S wowed the crowds that made their way deep into the exhibit floor. The Karma S is an all-aluminum vehicle with a 50-mile all-electric driving range. The car also features a gasoline engine, which powers an electric generator.

The Karma S is built on the same platform as the Karma, making it a plug-in electric vehicle. The Karma S is powered by Li-ion batteries and seats four passengers. Under the hood, Fisker uses the Quantum Technologies Q-Drive, designed especially for Fisker Automotive. Quantum Technologies also worked with GM to design the drive train for two of that company's fuel cell concept cars.

The Karma is expected to enter production this year, contracting with specialty producer Valmet in Finland. Valmet also produces certain Porsche models, including the Boxter and the Cayman. Fisker expects to sell about 15,000 vehicles per year, with about half of its annual production going to the European markets. The starting price on the Fisker Karma will be about $90,000. According to Fisker, the Karma-S may enter production in another year.

Fisker is hard at work building its dealer network. According to the company, it already has about three dozen dealership agreements in 24 states and will continue to sign new dealers while the car is still in pre-production. Whether the car succeeds or fails, Fisker doesn't expect to build any factories of its own anytime soon. The company's approach to most things – including design, engineering and production, is to outsource and use consultants.

Tesla Motors is Fisker's main competition. Tesla, also at the 2009 NAIAS, with its Roadster, which is already in production. Tesla expects to build about 600 vehicles, with a base price of $109,000, in its first full year of production, and has already sold out its 2009 production run. The company is taking orders for 2010 delivery right now. Unlike Fisker, Tesla is looking to build a production facility in the US.

When it comes to speed, the Roadster has the Karma beat. According to Tesla, the Roadster can achieve 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Fisker's Karma will get to 60 mph in a comparatively stately 6 seconds. The Roadster and the Karma both feature a top speed of 125 miles per hour.

For more information about the Fisker Karma or Karma-S, visit Fisker Automotive. For more information about the Tesla Roadster, visit Tesla Motors.

Photo: Courtesy of Fisker Automotive