2009 Fisker Karma

Fisker Automotive has taken the wraps off its "final, fully driveable production car," to be officially unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2009. Production of the rear-drive Karma plug-in hybrid is set to begin in October, with first deliveries in November via 40 U.S. retailers that Fisker says will be established by October.

The curvaceous Karma body, comprised of both aluminum and composite panels, rides on an aluminum space frame built in cooperation with Norsk Hydro of Norway. The Karma will be assembled by Valmet Automotive in Finland, the company that produces the Porsche Boxster and Cayman. Fisker is pegging yearly volume at 15,000 cars. The production interior is being built by Magna and should be ready by the Detroit show.

The 4-seat 4650-lb. Karma uses a powertrain Fisker calls "Q-drive," which consists of two electric motors powered by a lithium-ion battery pack (located in the center tunnel) along with a 260-bhp 2.0-liter direct-injected turbocharged 4-cylinder supplied by General Motors (Chevy Cobalt SS/Pontiac Solstice GXP). All told, combined power is 408 hp and 959 lb.-ft. of torque. When running in high-performance Sport mode, the Karma is claimed to reach 60 mph in 5.8 sec. with a top speed of 125 mph. When run in economical Stealth mode, electric-only range is 50 miles.

The price of the Karma will be $87,900, although Fisker says the car is sold out until mid-2010.

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Slideshow: 2009 Fisker Karma