The Karma Features
The Name
Q: Where did the name Karma originate and what does it mean?
A: Loosely translated from Hindu, 'Karma' implies that if you do good things, good things will
happen to you. The Fisker Karma allows consumers to practice good Karma - or, doing the right
thing - by driving an environmentally friendly car without sacrificing a lifestyle.
Trim Levels
Q What are the different trim levels that will be offered in the Karma?
A: EcoStandard - This is our entry-level vehicle. We do not anticipate producing a large volume of
these vehicles.
EcoSport - This vehicle will represent about 80% of Karma production and will include a leather
interior, solar roof, navigation and back-up camera.
EcoChic - Our most advanced sustainable material series "Eco Chic" is based on a complete
animal-free approach while offering the most luxurious automotive environment.
(You will receive more information on the trim levels later in the fall.)
Design /Creation
Q: What is the Fisker Karma?
A: The Fisker Karma is the world's first premium plug-in hybrid car. It is a four-door, four-seat
sedan (saloon) with a series plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Q: Who designed the Fisker Karma?
A: Henrik Fisker, CEO. Mr. Fisker was previously design director for Aston Martin and president
and CEO of BMW's Designworks USA. He is responsible for such cars as the BMW Z8, Aston
Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage.
Q: What was the development time behind Karma?
A: A concept car was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Twelve months later a production-intent version was unveiled at the same show, along with the
Fisker Karma Sunset hardtop convertible concept.
Powertrain / Battery / Hybrid System
Q: What type of fuel economy numbers will be delivered once the battery has lost its charge?
A: That will be announced, as we get closer to production. The vehicle will have a combined range
of 300 miles; 50 miles on electric only and 250 miles in hybrid mode.
Q: What is Q-DRIVE®?
A: Q-DRIVE® is an all-new Plug-in Hybrid Electric powertrain exclusive to Fisker Automotive. It
consists of a small and efficient gasoline engine that turns a generator, a Lithium-ion battery
pack, and two electric motors at the rear wheels. The battery will propel the Karma up to 50
miles a day tailpipe emission-free, provided the car is fully charged. Beyond 50 miles the
gasoline engine automatically spins the generator, which provides electricity for the electric
motors. (Total Cruising Range = 300mi/483 km)
Q: Where is the battery located?
A: Within the battery tunnel that runs down the center line of the vehicle. This tunnel is a major
part of the car's structural rigidity and the placement contributes to a near perfect 50/50 weight
distribution.
Q: What type of battery will you use?
A: The Fisker Karma will utilize a 22 kW/h Lithium-ion battery based on Nanophosphate
technology, supplied by A123 Systems in Massachusetts.
Q: What are some specific details of the engine?
A: The gas engine that powers the Karma's generator is the 2.0L, turbo charged, four-cylinder
ECOTEC engine from General Motors, with 260hp.
Q: How much does the car weigh?
A: That will be announced later this year, as we get closer to production.
Q: What is the fuel economy (MPG, L/100km) rating?
A: We have announced the Karma will get about 67mpg (3.5L/100km) in combination city/highway
driving, based on the Society of Automotive Engineers' (SAE) J2841 formula for evaluating
efficiency of plug-in hybrids. However, based on your driving needs Karma is capable of getting
upwards of 100mpg.
Q: What is the Karma's emissions CO2 output?
A: 83g CO2/km - lower than all currently available hybrids, based on the same formula.
Fuel Savings
Q: How much will it cost a consumer to charge this car?
A: Based on a US average electric rate of $0.10/kWh, it will be the equivalent of $0.71/gallon.
Q: How will the emissions from charging the car at home compare to those of gasoline?
A: Charging at home will result in significantly lower emissions when compared to a traditionallypowered
car. How much exactly is dependent on how the power was generated: Nuclear, solar,
water, wind, coal or other.
Q: How large is the gas tank?
A: That will be announced later this year, as we get closer to production.
Charging Karma
Q: How long will it take to charge Karma each day?
A: A full 50 mi charge takes about 6 hours. This charge time is possible with the 220V, 3.3kW wall
charger at home. This is about 7 minutes per mile of charge.
Q: What will it cost to charge Karma each day?
A: About $2 ($0.04/mile) - A full 50 mile charge costs about $2 based on a US average electric rate
of $0.10/kWh. This varies widely by region, from $0.05/kWh in West Virginia (~$1/charge or
$0.02/mi) to $0.30/kWh in Hawaii (~$6/charge or $0.11/mi). Charging a Karma daily will
increase the average American's electricity usage about 25% ($30/month) and reduce gasoline
consumption about 70% ($80/month) for a $50/month net savings.
Q: How does the power consumption used to charge Karma compare to other household appliances?
A: The Karma uses about 19 kWh of AC (grid) power for a full 50 mi charge. This means that driving
a mile uses less energy than a coffee maker uses in 20 minutes. The power draw during
charging is similar to an electric water heater, about half that of a washer & dryer, and about
twice that of a microwave or hair dryer.
Solar Roof
Q: What is the purpose of the solar panel on the roof?
A: In the Fisker Karma's roof is an integrated, full-length solar panel. It is the world's largest
spherically (curved in multiple directions, like a sphere) curved automotive solar panel. It
powers a fan that lowers the temperature of the interior while the car is parked, thereby
reducing the load on the battery-driven A/C system.
Interior Wood
Q: Can you describe the interior woods being used inside the Karma?
A: Our use of wood relies on sourcing reclaimed trees such as naturally "Fallen Trees" as a result of
age, "Rescued Trees" from naturally occurring fires in California, and "Sunken Trees" found on
American lake bottoms.
Q: What is Rescued Wood and where does it come from?
A: Old growth Walnut burl trees rescued from Southern California wildfires have been a good
source for high end exotic wood veneers. Our wood will be harvested from the Santiago Canyon
fire in Orange County and the San Diego County fire of 2007 which burned over 230,000 acres.
Q: What is Sunken Wood and where does it come from?
A: This Authentic Wood Product is made from rare and unique "old-growth" timber cut from virgin
forest in the 1800's, a booming era for logging in the area of Georgian Bay, Canada and
throughout North America. Such timbers have been preserved underwater where they have
rested undisturbed for as much as 160 years after being lost from logging booms.
Interior Leather
Q: Can you describe the leather used in the Karma?
A: The hand wrapped premium leather comes from a partner with a 100% sustainable
manufacturing strategy and humane policies, which include animals that are free to roam
through hundreds of acres, live to full maturity, and are fed a 100% grain and grass diet. Karma
will have very low leather pigmentation. This will allow the true natural colors and nuances of
the leather to show through, while also improving the amount of usable leather that is available
for production.
Chassis / Space Frame
Q: Can you describe the Karma's advanced aluminum space frame?
A: The Karma's advanced extruded aluminum space frame is a proprietary design developed by
Fisker Automotive engineers. It strikes a perfect balance between size and weight. It provides
industry leading rigidity specifications that delivers a world class driving experience.
Q: How is it assembled (joined)?
A: The Fisker Karma's space frame is assembled using 79 meters of precision MIG welds and 1,058
self-piercing rivets. Each technique is used independently only where necessary to ensure top
quality and durability.
Karma Control Center
Q: Can you explain the benefits of the Karma Control Center?
A: Karma's Control Center is a sophisticated Human Machine Interface (HMI) designed to allow the
operation of climate, audio, phone, NAV, and vehicle system controls. It features a 10.2" haptic
(force feedback) touch screen interface that will also display energy flow through the Karma's
PHEV powertrain.
Service and Warranty
Q: How will you sell and service your cars?
A: In the US, we have established a network of 45 premium retail locations and we also have
secured four European importers: The Nellemann Group in Copenhagen, Denmark; GP
Supercars in Merano, Italy; the Emil Frey group in Zurich, Switzerland; and BD Otomotiv in
Turkey. Together they cover most European markets.
Q: What type of warranty and service plan will you provide for the first car and future models?
A: We plan to offer consumers a 50 month/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty program.
Q: What is the life cycle of your batteries?
A: The current expected life cycle is 10 years.
Q: How will maintenance costs for the Karma compare to traditional vehicles and other hybrids?
A: We anticipate powertrain maintenance costs to be low since electric motors are simple and
reliable and there will be very little load on the gasoline engine. There is also no transmission.
Delivery
Q: Will the Karma be a 2010 or 2011 model?
A: Karma will be a 2011 model.
Q: When will production and customer deliveries begin?
A: Early production demo cars will begin late this year. Series production and customer deliveries
are expected begin in Q1 2011.
