With new Chinese owners and headquarters in California, production of Fisker will resume under the brand name Karma, after the model of the same name. The Fisker name, which originates from one of the founders, Danish-American Henrik Fisker, is thus history after the bankruptcy in 2013.
Fisker was probably never a good-sounding name in Norway, anyway.
Today's Fisker Karma has two electric motors, each with 161 HP, 479 Nm, which drive the rear wheels. A 2-liter petrol-powered Opel engine charges the batteries. The range is as follows EPA no more than just over 5 miles on pure battery operation, which is extended by 32 miles with the help of the petrol-powered charger (the factory's own figures are 8,3 and 40 miles respectively). The battery pack sits along the middle of the car, inside what looks like a giant gimbal tunnel, which steals considerable space, so that there is only room for four people. The car is not designed with interior space in mind, so to speak. But on the other hand, there are few, if any, cars in the world that are more beautiful than the Karma.
The new owner company, Wanxiang, is already strongly involved in the electric drive of cars, and it will be exciting to see what they can add to new models. Fisker Automotive has previously been taken to court by Tesla Motors accused of copying their battery technology, where Fisker was otherwise acquitted on all counts.
But where did the technology go?
While today's Tesla operates with an impressive range, the Karma's range is far less impressive. In comparison, the BMW i3 Plug-in hybrid has almost the same range as the Karma (15 miles on pure electric power plus 15 miles with charger). Battery technology is developing rapidly, so the range should be improved when the new Karma appears in the new year.
The used car market is not exactly flooded with Karmas. I find 1 Karma for sale in Norway, 4 in Sweden, 23 in Germany and 4 in France, - mostly 2012 and 2013 models. The price is approximately €45-60.
Auto Tjuvholmen was an agent/importer prior to the bankruptcy of Fisker Automotive Inc. They currently have a Karma on display in their premises at Teknopolis in Fornebu. It is this model that I have taken pictures of. The car is probably almost unsellable until production starts again.
But can the new Karma succeed in Norway?
It is obvious to compare with Tesla. Tesla customers do not have to pay taxes due to pure electric car operation. The Karma's hybrid solution is taxed like normal hybrid cars, but it is in the cards that future car taxes may turn out to be more favorable for hybrid cars than pure diesel and petrol cars. With its 5 seats and two trunks, the Tesla can function well as the family's main car. Karma can't. I think the Karma's main competitor will be the 4-seater Porsche Panamera. Great cars, but no volume sellers.
We don't yet know what the Karma will offer when they hit the market next year. Maybe we'll see a Karma with pure electric drive and Tesla's range? In that case, Tesla could have a real challenger in Norway.
Watch the cool presentation at KarmaAutomotive.com
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