German Car Zone

^^Just for those 2 pics alone, the rear shoulder line and the angle at which the the windshield takes up is very similar.

i think the bmw concept cs resembles austin martin's four door sedan(coupe?) concept more which itself is has strong influence from fisker. i also agree that karma's design is probably finalize long before fisker he even saw the concept cs. any similarity would be a coincidence for both party to make a sleek sedan.

Hybrid super saloon that's set to take on Porsche and Aston Martin.

Fisker has bold design inside and out to match its hi-tech drivetrain
Here’s a supercar that will ease your conscience. Called the Karma, the eco-friendly machine was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show by US maker Fisker Automotive.
The Aston Martin Rapide rival is on sale late next year, and uses a rear-wheel-drive, plug-in hybrid system. It’s capable of travelling 50 miles on its battery packs alone.
On longer trips, a small-capacity petrol engine fires up, producing power for the electric motors. This extends the range to 620 miles. Fisker claims the Karma can return around 100mpg, yet sprint from 0-60mph in less than six seconds and hit a 125mph top speed.

The highly sophisticated powertrain, called Q-Drive, has been developed by Quantum Technologies – the firm responsible for GM’s groundbreaking Chevrolet Volt.

To give the best possible balance and handling, the battery is located low and in the middle of the car. The swooping bodywork has been designed by Henrik Fisker, who penned the stunning Aston Martin DB9. However, it’s also a little reminiscent of the Maserati GranTurismo, with a massive slatted grille, angular headlamps and a long, sleek bonnet.
Even though the four-door coupé is no taller than a Porsche 911, it can carry four adults in comfort. Under the skin is an all-new lightweight platform honed by ex-BMW engineering guru Thomas Fritz.
The Karma will cost from around $80,000 (£40,000).


http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/215292/fisker_karma.html

Now i see the CS influence that some pointed.

Fisker considering Detroit for production of the Karma hybrid

We were captivated by the Karma plug-in hybrid when it was unveiled at the Ditroit Auto Show earlier this month. Its curvaceous, aggressive design combined with its ability to go 50 miles without using any gas seems like a bargain at the projected starting price of $80,000. Fisker is hoping to deliver its first Karma to customers in the fourth quarter of 2009, but to do that they will first need to find a place to build the cars (and get the drivetrain sorted and figure out that batteries and...). Vic Doolan, director of retail development for Fisker, says the company is considering metro Detroit to handle production. The combination of unused capacity, close proximity of suppliers, and availability of experienced workers make Detroit an ideal location.
Those interested in the Karma and unconcerned about the vaporware accusations can pre-order one with a $1000 deposit, although the Signature Edition vehicles (the first 99 that will have the same features and color as the show car as well as a numbered and signed plaque), are all sold out. Customers who haven't ordered yet can expect a delivery date in mid-2010.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/29/fisker-considering-detroit-for-production-of-the-karma-hybrid/

The more I read about this the less I think its really going to happen. You're going to deliver a car with these specs by next year and no production base has been set yet? I really want this car to happen, but its sounding more and more like a pipe dream to me.

M

Sorry for not posting for such a long time guys. i've been lurking but didn't have the chance to comment on anything lately.

Anyway, I really like this car. mr. Fisker definitely knows how to give a car the right proportions to make it look unbeatably sexy. His previous creations speak for themselves.
there are spots that I don't like: the front grill for instance. i don't like the fact that it's seperated in the middle. And the vertical blades don't work for me neither. The placement of the shutlines at the rear give a slight cheap impression imo.
I don't see any similarities with the CS. Both cars have very different proportions and lines, i don't know how anybody could say they look similar.
I do see some similarties to the Gran Turismo, but as ageneral note to those who like seeing other cars in any car: cars are not generated in days, not even in months. And knowing that the Maserati was released about one year ago and so was the CS, I believe that the similarities are nothing but a coencidence. and IF I would suspect any of these cars as a copy, it would certainly not be the Karma, since it's classically Fisker-proportioned.

The interior is nice too, not great but ok. Heavily inspired by Motorola's mobile phones. One this is extremely annoying me: the red LEDs in the interior.. I just HATE red interior illumination! light blue or white would hev done it much better to me.

Overall, i really like the car and the fact that it's pushing the 4-door-coupé/GT theme to an extreme that now even the Rapide could reach (which is indirectly design by Fisker as well).
I was waiting for something really cool since the I day I read the news about the new Fisker car, and i wasn't dissappointed

Fisker Karma Makes Euro Debut at Geneva

All round good karma was evident at the Fisker Automotive stand in Geneva as the company introduced its new Karma in Europe for the first time. Fisker we know as the “green” sports car company who research and build cars with above-average performance while respecting the environment. The use of light, eco-friendly materials is extensive in keeping with the greenness, if ever there was such a word.

Karma is the embodiment of this philosophy, with its 50 mile per charge plug-in hybrid. Power figures were not available at the time of publishing, but we do have claimed performance figures which are 0 – 100km/h in less than 6 seconds, top speed of over 200km/h, and maximum torque available from standstill.

The Karma runs on 22-inch light alloy wheels, features a satellite navigation system and a luxurious interior, Fisker says. What is the cost for the future sports car? Around USD80,000. Let’s wait and hear what the Chevrolet VOLT has to offer.

[Source: Fisker/WCF]

Fisker Karma Will be Made in Finland

The Fisker Karma caused great waves when it was first unveiled at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show and plans are in full motion to commence the production of the vehicle. In an announcement made today we can reveal Fisker has hired Finnish firm Valmet Automotive to build the car which will begin to arrive in dealerships in 2009.

"After an exhaustive global search, we are thrilled to have found the ideal manufacturing partner in Valmet Automotive," Fisker CEO Henrik Fisker said in a statement. "Valmet offers us the quality and speed necessary to meet our production goals, and given that more than half of Fisker Automotive's sales are expected to be outside of North America, Valmet represents an ideal international foothold. We do have a strategic plan to utilize an American manufacturing site for future models of the Fisker Karma."

The news is sure to come as some relief to Valmet after they recently lost their contract to build the Porsche Boxter and Porsche Cayman after 11 successful years and 200,00 units to Austrian firm Magna Steyr.

[Source: Fisker Automotive via WCF]

Here is the REAL car..production version..
And i must say it looks even better..



First image and details of the production Fisker Karma released

Fisker Automotive today announced that its first production car, the Fisker Karma, will be showcased at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.

With only minor design enhancements made to the exterior of the vehicle, the production Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid retains the extreme proportions and beautiful sculpture of the January 2008 Karma show car.

With a base price of $87,900 (USD), the Fisker Karma is scheduled to begin delivery in November 2009.


Featuring the proprietary Q-Drive powertrain, the Fisker Karma will have an all-electric range of 50 miles (80km). After the all electric 50 miles, the gasoline engine turns a generator to charge the lithium ion battery. Once the 50-mile electric range has been exceeded, the Fisker Karma can be used as a normal hybrid vehicle. With this balance of electric and gas range, Fisker Automotive estimates that most Karma drivers who charge the Karma overnight and commute less than 50 miles per day will be able to achieve an average fuel economy of 100 mpg (2.4L/100km) per year.

The production model to be featured at the 2009 NAIAS will include an upper grill that is graphically enhanced, being slightly larger towards the outer corners. The lower air intake has been enlarged to allow for more airflow and underneath the rear bumper, an aerodynamic diffuser includes the integration of a cooling cover for the electric drivetrain.

To optimize cooling and aerodynamics, the exhaust pipe from the ICE engine is routed directly out behind the front wheels. A small functional side vent will release the hot air when the ICE engine is turned on. The Fisker Karma also features a complete flush B-pillar. The B-pillar is a safety feature and already fulfills the proposed 2012 rollover protection safety regulations.

Underneath the Karma is an all aluminum spaceframe made in cooperation with Norsk Hydro. The exterior body is a combination of aluminum panels and composite panels.

The vehicle’s ride and handling is decisively sporty and includes very responsive steering. The Karma’s long wheel base, wide track and low center of gravity provide excellent cornering and stability at highway speeds.

The innovative powertrain, Q-drive, utilizes a large, powerful lithium ion battery and a powerful 2-liter direct injected turbo-charged 4-cylinder gasoline engine developing 260 hp, which enables the Karma to achieve a continuous top speed of 125 mph and a 0-60 of 5.8 seconds. The large powerful lithium ion battery provides 22.6 kWh, which has unique control software. The two powerful electric motors deliver a combined 408 hp.

The Fisker Karma will be assembled by Valmet Automotive in a highly automized assembly facility. Valmet Automotive is currently producing the Porsche Boxster and Porsche Cayman. The first Fisker Karma will be delivered to customers in November 2009. Yearly volume is anticipated to reach 15,000 cars per year.

European pricing will be announced at the International Geneva Motor Show in March, 2009