VIDEO: Fisker's All-Electric Karma Sports Sedan Makes Driving Debut at Monterey

*Updated With Video

One of the most anticipated newcomers of the year, Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV for short, made its public driving debut over the weekend at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Behind the wheel of the 403-horsepower sports saloon was Fisker Automotive co-founder and COO Bernhard Koehler who drove the Karma up to a top speed of 100mph or 160 km/h.

"This demonstration represents a significant milestone for Fisker Automotive and PHEV technology," said CEO Henrik Fisker. "The future of clean cars is bright."

The Karma can drive up to 50 miles or 80 km on a full-charge of the lithium ion battery pack and has a total range of 300 miles or around 480 km when employing the on-board generator that is powered by a 260HP four-cylinder gasoline engine sourced from General Motors. The two electric motors that drive the rear wheels develop a combined output of 403-horsepower allowing the Karma to reach 60mph (96 km/h) in under 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph or 201 km/h.

Sales of the Karma will begin towards the end of the year with pricing in the U.S. set at $87,900.

READ MORE - VIDEO: Fisker's All-Electric Karma Sports Sedan Makes Driving Debut at Monterey

Fisker Karma EV to Run at Monterey Historic Automobile Races

We're not entirely sure if Fisker will have the first examples of the Karma up for sale in the last quarter of the year as the firm promised at the Detroit Show in January, but the plug-in hybrid sports sedan will make its official driving debut at the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races on Saturday, August 15. The pre-production prototype is scheduled to complete two laps on the 11-turn Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca course.

"The Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races is the best stage in the world for great moments in automotive history," said Henrik Fisker, Fisker CEO. "Fisker is honored to be a part of it."

The full-size sports sedan has a range of 50 miles (80 km) on a full charge of its Lithium-ion battery, and a total range of 300 miles (480 km ) thanks to an on-board generator powered by GM's 260hp Ecotec engine. Two electric motors producing a combined output of 403HP allow the Karma to reach 60mph (96km/h) in about six seconds and go on to a top speed of 125mph or 201 km/h.

READ MORE - Fisker Karma EV to Run at Monterey Historic Automobile Races

Video: Fisker Karma Sedan Television Ad

A few months before Fisker begins delivery of the Karma, the California-based automaker has began running ads for its all-electric sedan on LA TV stations. The first commercial for the 100mpg luxury plug-in hybrid isn't anything special but at least it gets the word out. See it after the jump.

Via: Engadget

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2010 Fisker Karma: 100mpg Plug-in Hybrid Sport Sedan Unveiled in Detroit

The production version of Henry Fisker's curvalicious Karma plug-in hybrid sports sedan made its world premiere at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. Featuring only a few minor design changes from last year's concept model that include an enhanced upper grill, an enlarged lower intake and new aerodynamic diffuser under the rear bumper, the Karma has been sold out until mid-2010, as Fisker has already received 1,000 orders for the 100mpg luxury plug-in hybrid.

Fusing styling that could make BMW owners turn green from envy with a high-tech plug-in hybrid powertrain, the four-door, four-seat Karma also retails for a logical price that starts in the U.S. from $87,900.

The Karma utilizes Fisker's "Q-DRIVE" powertrain that comprises of two 201HP electric motors powered by an advanced lithium-ion technology battery pack. A generator attached to a GM derived 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec direct injection gasoline engine provides extended range capabilities.

The system features two operating modes: Stealth Mode and Sport Mode. In electric-only Stealth Mode, the Karma can travel emission free for up to 50 miles on a full charge from any 110-, 220- or 240-volt electric outlet. In Sport Mode, the system utilizes the 2.0 Turbo gasoline engine to turn a generator that powers the 402HP electric motors on the rear differential, offering a total range of up to 300 miles.

Fisker claims that a fully charged Karma can achieve an annual average of more than 100 miles per gallon. As for performance, the low-slung sport sedan can achieve a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h) and a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of 5.8 seconds.

The Karma will be built by Valmet Automotive in Finland with the delivery of the more than 1,000 pre-ordered cars set to begin during the fourth quarter of the year. To commemorate initial production, Fisker has decided that the first 99 examples will be trimmed to match both interior and exterior specifications of the Karma prototype originally showcased at the 2008 NAIAS. Each car will feature a personalized plaque with a designated car number and signature from Henrik Fisker.

READ MORE - 2010 Fisker Karma: 100mpg Plug-in Hybrid Sport Sedan Unveiled in Detroit