2012 Fisker Karma

Price: $110, 565 – $132,065

The award-winning 2012 Fisker Karma has been turning heads in Europe as one of the most stylish hybrid cars on the market today along with the recent openings of their four Canadian dealerships. More and more people are starting to notice them around town and it’s time to answer that question on most curious Canadians’ minds: ‘what is that car?‘

It’s the Fisker Karma.

This modern luxury hybrid provides the best of both worlds in terms of both power and efficiency. It’s powered by a 403-hp engine paired with dual-electric motors that produce 959 ft-lb or torque. With their EVer (Electric Vehicle extended range) engine, the Fisker Karma is capable of an range of 483 km, which is almost equivalent to going from Toronto to Ottawa in just one trip. Let’s not forget about the fact that it also goes 0 – 100 km/h in only 5.3 seconds!

With a car so technologically advanced it most definitely has a lot of settings, two being Stealth and Sport Mode. Stealth mode is well-suited for the casual, city driver stuck in 9-5 metropolis-styled situations as it makes for efficient electric driving. When you turn the dial to Stealth mode you can expect your top speed to be isolated to 153 km/h, and electric range to 80 km, just perfect for getting around the downtown cities of Canada.

For those who enjoy smooth northern roads, less traffic and congestion, Sport mode is definitely the right way to travel. The more fun, ‘open road’ or highway setting of the mode let’s that 403-hp engine power the Karma to a top speed of 200 km/h.

There are three models you can choose from for the Fisker Karma, the EcoStandard, EcoSport and the top-of-the-top-of-the-line model, the EcoChic. All showcase the world’s largest solar roof on their car, constantly bringing in more power to the batteries, whether or not it’s a sunny day, which, in turn, extends the range of the vehicle.

Some notable features of the 2012 Fisker Karma include the brakes, which include Brembo® Monobloc calipers and a sophisticated anti-lock braking system that provides any driver with precise control over how much power is used under the hood. These large brakes that are capable of incredible braking power also use regenerative braking to harness kinetic energy and replace it in the electric motors.

The Karma is also fitted with Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control, and to maximize the amount of stopping power in a short distance, the Panic Brake Assist (PBA) has been added to improve the amount of friction to improve the brake system’s capabilities. So with all that power under your feet on the right pedal, there is a brake to help you keep it all together and in control.

So we talked about how great the car is on the outside, great for the environment with their EVer hybrid engine, great for the city, and great for the open road. But let’s change gears here and talk about how incredibly earth conscious Fisker is in ways that most automotive companies can only dream.

The three different models, these being the EcoStandard, EcoSport, and the EcoChic, emulate luxurious interior design side-by-side with a great moral compass for the changing demands for green technology. The Black Onyx Monotone leather is actually sourced from farms that abide by the Five Freedoms of Animal Treatment, and it’s estimated that 85 per cent of the entire hide is used, which is more than double compared to other cars and automakers. When have you heard that in a car? Even the trim package in the EcoChic model is made by reclaimed lumber and the seating foam is from a soy-based bio fiber. Fisker is serious about the environment and it shows in the Karma.

The interior is also loaded with tons of features, like Bi-Xenon headlamps with LED interior lighting, navigation,  iPod™, Bluetooth® hands-free phone compatibility, and HomeLink® push-to-start button, just to name a few.

So it’s eco-friendly inside the car, it’s eco-friendly under the hood of the car while also embracing the strength, power, and maneuverability of a sports car.

Here is where you can get the Fisker Karma:

For more information on Fisker Automotive and their Canadian dealers, visit their websites:

www | fiskerautomotive.com | Toronto | Montreal | Calgary | Vancouver

Question: Do you think the Fisker Karma could give Tesla’s cars a run for their money?