Fisker Karma to use 260hp 2.0L turbo from GM

In Cars, International News / by /

Fisker Karma Side

The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan, and was also the subject of controversy because Tesla accused Fisker Coachbuild of not doing a good job with the work it was contracted to do with the upcoming (and postponed) Tesla Model S sports sedan. Tesla has since dropped the lawsuit.

The Karma is an extended-range plug-in electric vehicle, which means its sole method of drive is its electric motor, which can take it up to 0 to 100km/h in a rapid-enough 5.8 seconds. But it also has a combustion engine, which was just recently announced this week to be GM’s inline-4 turbocharged direct injection Ecotec engine from the Pontiac Solstice GXP that can produce 260hp.

Fisker Karma Rear

This engine’s sole purpose is to generate electricity to recharge the Karma’s batteries to extend the car’s 80km battery range. I’m not sure why such a high-powered engine is necessary for this, instead of a small displacement engine like GM’s own extended range plug-in, the Chevrolet Volt. Perhaps its because the li-ion batteries need to be recharged more rapidly because of the high power requirements of the electric motor.

“GM is proud that Fisker has selected one of the world’s best powertrains for installation into the new Karma. The advanced design of this engine offers a superior performance-to-weight ratio that makes it the right choice for the Fisker Karma,” said Tom Stephens, Executive VP of GM Powertrain & Global Quality.

Look after the jump for a gallery of the Fisker Karma.

PHOTO GALLERY: Fisker Karma
Click thumbnails to view high resolution photo

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • cyberx11 (Member) on Nov 25, 2008 at 7:58 am

    First….like new porche..

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  • triggerhappy (Member) on Nov 25, 2008 at 8:01 am

    nice buttons,remind me of motorola razor series, i wonder if all future cars buttons are like that hmmmm….

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  • bMxturbo (Member) on Nov 25, 2008 at 8:02 am

    2nd..abit like Nissan 370z also

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  • vivio (Member) on Nov 25, 2008 at 8:18 am

    3rd a bit like mesarrati to(back light)

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  • mitlanevo (Member) on Nov 25, 2008 at 9:37 am

    4th…. much better than Panamera…… can compete with Estoque and Rapide

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  • mspfaz (Member) on Nov 25, 2008 at 9:56 am

    The grill looks like “The Joker” (batman movie) smile.

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  • xg9 (Member) on Nov 25, 2008 at 11:07 am

    5th! gothic kind of car… my style!! nice!!

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  • torque (Member) on Nov 25, 2008 at 11:33 am

    More like Maserati. Love the meter cluster looks. Not sure about the centre console and the ‘Motorola Razr’ button type thou…

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  • kei9 (Member) on Nov 25, 2008 at 11:35 am

    SExy is what this car is.

    Love the rear lights.

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  • albagmane (Member) on Nov 25, 2008 at 11:38 am

    crazy looking car… i wonder those who own this car will have karma…

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  • red7 (Member) on Nov 25, 2008 at 12:01 pm

    weirdo… the front grill looks just… ouch!

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  • Xx- Ferrari -xX (Member) on Nov 26, 2008 at 1:12 pm

    i dunno why nowadays car’s interior looks like alien’s car interior…. Oh god !!!! full of electronic and graphical stuff !!!!!!!!!

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  • lowprofile (Member) on Nov 26, 2008 at 4:21 pm

    looks better than the panamera

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  • ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GMBH + Co. KG (Member) on Nov 26, 2008 at 6:27 pm

    nothing special, just odd

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