henrik fisker design

fisker automotive has been getting a lot of press recently as they have developed a car that straddles that great gulf between green and desirability. the “karma” described as a luxury plug-in hybrid, arrives at a time when it isn’t difficult to sell the concept of a green vehicle but it really helps when that vehicle is drop-dead gorgeous and comes with performance stats that separate it from the usual tiny, awkward looking, and invariably slow green vehicles that characterize the eco-friendly field.

fisker automotive is an extension of the design visions of henrik fisker, the man responsible for such designs as the bmw z8,

the aston martin db9,

as well as his most recent creations – the tramonto,

and the latigo cs.

the technology driving the karma has been developed by a company called quantum technologies. quantum have melded what they call their “q drive” technology with the coachbuilding skills of fisker. q drive consists of a small gasoline engine that turns a generator, which charges a lithium ion battery pack, powering an electric motor and turning the rear wheels.

what’s very cool and almost unimaginable about such a beautiful design, is that it allows you to drive the car emission free for up to 80km a day provided the car is charged every evening. fisker suggests that if you follow this daily routine, you will only need to fuel the car once a year! here's a picture of the roof's proposed solar panels.

the savings in terms of your trips to the pump as well as the reduction in your carbon footprint are very obvious!

on the flip side of the coin, fisker claims a 0-to-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph. the company anticipates production to be around fifteen thousand units a year with a price tag of eighty thousand dollars. if you pre-order one today you’ll see it on your driveway in mid 2010.

have a look here at a really detailed photo gallery of the fisker karma.