Packing a pair of 204hp electric motors, the Fisker Karma has taken to European roads for the first time. Built in Finland, the Karma will go on sale across Europe later in 2011.
For a sports saloon aimed at the enthusiast driver, Fisker chose the Monaco Grand Prix to give the Karma its first taste of Euro tarmac. With a 0-100km/h time of about six seconds, the swish Monaco GP was the ideal launch venue for a car that can run in Stealth or Sport modes.
A small petrol engine helps charge the Karma's batteries, giving it an extended range similar to a BMW 535i's. Running solely on electricity, without the charging help of the engine, the Karma can still manage 0-100km/h in about eight seconds and cover up to 80 kilometres on a single charge.
Built on an aluminium space frame with double wishbone suspension all-round, the Karma aims to deliver ride and handling to rival a BMW 5 Series. As standard, the Karma will come with 22-inch alloy wheels.
Fisker plans to sell 15,000 Karmas per year.