2009 Fisker Karma: This Time It's Real, Or So They Say

Marty Padgett

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2009 Fisker Karma

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The 2009 Detroit Auto Show is shaping up to be as happy as a visit to a chemo ward, but at least one automaker is bucking the trend of abandoning Cobo Hall for later shows: Fisker. The electric/hybrid carmaker--er, startup, since it hasn't built car one--says the 2009 Detroit show will showcase the production version of its Karma hybrid sedan shown here. Like the proposed Chevrolet Volt, the Karma uses a hybrid powertrain that runs down its batteries first before running them in hybrid mode with a gasoline engine. The Karma's gasoline engine, in fact, will be a GM Ecotec four-cylinder.

Unlike the Volt, the Karma's not a serial hybrid, though--it uses gas and electric power at higher speeds in parallel. A 50-mile electric-only range is promised, as is potential gas mileage of 100 mpg on a yearly basis, the first time we've ever heard that used. A 0-60-mph time of 5.8 seconds is also being bandied about. While we remain dubious, the press release follows after the jump; stay tuned for more on the 2009 Detroit auto show and more on car sales today as automakers announced November numbers.