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Fisker
Automotive announced they are performing
initial vehicle testing and fine tuning the
battery software management system for the
Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid production car.
Three Fisker
Karma prototypes have been built, and are
currently undergoing testing for the
electric powertrain developed by Quantum
Technologies. Concurrently, the Fisker
Automotive engineering team is working on
crash test simulation. Further validation
and certification on the vehicles will be
performed over the coming months.
"We are very
excited about the initial test results of
the Fisker Karma prototype," said Henrik
Fisker, CEO, Fisker Automotive. "The
vehicle dynamics and fuel economy have
performed better than expected and we remain
on target for our fourth quarter 2009
initial delivery."
In sport
mode the Fisker Karma will offer a
continuous top speed of 125 miles per hour.
Electric only, or stealth mode, is capped
at 95 miles per hour. Preliminary testing
of the lithium-ion battery that powers the
Fisker Karma has indicated a life expectancy
of more than 10 years.
Configured
to meet the demands of today’s driver, the
Fisker Karma’s proprietary design allows
consumers to drive the car emission free for
up to 50 miles a day provided the car is
charged every evening. With more than 80
percent of daily commuters driving less than
50 miles (80 km) a day, consumers who drive
the Fisker Karma could conceivably only need
to refuel the car but once a year.
Fisker
Automotive is preparing to deliver its first
Premium Edition vehicles by fourth quarter
2009. Fisker Automotive will reach a full
production of 1,250 vehicles per month by
the end of 2010. Prices are estimated
£65,000. |
