Fast Karma: A Vehicle For Eco Chic
by Nicole
This is one beautiful (and expensive) way to improve your karma. Fisker Automotive have unveiled their new luxury performance plug-in, hybrid, four-door sedan. The Fisker Karma does 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds, has a top speed of 125 mph, and can drive emission free for 50 miles per day, provided the car is recharged each evening, meaning that the 60% of commuters who drive less than 50 miles to work and back each day will be able to go 100% gas free.
It's designed by Henrik Fisker, who's responsible for the good looks of the BMW Z8, and the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage. The car has the height of a Porsche 911, the length of a Mercedes Benz CLS, the width of a BMW 7 Series, the looks of Gisele Bündchen, the sex appeal of Johnny Depp, and the eco-chic of Al Gore.
The Q Drive plug-in engine, which also utilizes regenerative breaking to re-charge, was developed in conjunction with hybrid specialists Quantum Technologies. It has two modes: Stealth Drive, which is the car's quiet and eco-nomical mode, and Sports Drive, which maximizes the car's power. An optional full-length solar roof will help charge the car and provide cooling for the interior cabin when the vehicle is parked.
It's expected to go into production in 2009. If Fisker stay on schedule, the Karma could be the first plug-in hybrid electric production vehicle on the road. The cost? A Mere $80,000. We could purchase a lot of carbon credits for our 1998 Ford Escort with that kinda cash.
