Industry News
Fisker updates progress on pre-launch hybrid testing
15th May 2008
The US start-up Fisker Automotive, Inc. and Quantum Technologies are now performing initial vehicle testing and fine tuning the battery software management system for the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid production car in Southern California.
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. Henrik Fisker, CEO, Fisker Automotive, says, "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 mph. Electric only, or ‘stealth’ mode, is capped at 95 mph. Preliminary testing of the lithium-ion battery that powers the Fisker Karma has indicated a life expectancy of more than 10 years.
The Fisker Karma is designed to a range of up to 50 miles a day on battery power, provided the car is recharged every evening. With more than 80% of daily commuters driving less than 50 miles a day, the company says consumers who drive the Fisker Karma could conceivably only need to refuel the car with gasoline once a year.
Fisker Automotive has so far received more than 500 orders for the Karma since its 2008 debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. Fisker Automotive expects to reach maximum planned production of 1,250 vehicles per month by the end of 2010. The starting estimated MSRP for the Fisker Karma will be approximately $80,000 or €80,000.
- Fisker and its CEO Henrik Fisker are being sued by the battery-electric carmaker Tesla Motors for alleged IP theft and substandard design work, which charges they deny. Fisker Automotive filed a request for arbitration on the suit with a California court on Tuesday, May 13. A hearing is scheduled for 11th June.
(www.fiskerautomotive.com/Autoweek)
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