The Fisker Karma hits the French market
“The Karma proves that you can drive environmentally friendly cars without sacrificing the excitement factor…” Henrik Fisker, co-founder, president and design director, flaunts the car’s eco-responsible colours from the start.
On the far side of the Atlantic, two celebrities have apparently been glimpsed behind the wheel of a Fisker Karma : Leonardo di Caprio and Justin Bieber. The teenagers’ idol is said to own a chrome model with fuchsia LEDs. Given that it is 5 metres long with a 3-metre wheelbase and 22-inch wheels, it must be hard to get around incognito. Unless the choice of international stars was, in fact, “militant”. Style, passion and performance are the key-words employed by the designers of the eco-friendly auto. The adventure took off in 2007, when Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler, with over 50 years of combined experience, decided to reinterpret the luxury car. Five years later, an elegant hybrid saloon equipped with EVerTM technology (Electric Vehicle with Extended Range) made its much-noticed appearance in the sale rooms of Uncle Sam’s car dealers. Only 12 months after its introduction on American roads, the Fisker, unveiled as a concept car in the Detroit Motor Show in 2008, is hitting the tarmac in France.
For the first time, defenders of planet Earth look at the world of automobiles without beginning to frown. And while the car is electric-powered, it succeeds in blending design and driving pleasure. When it runs out of steam, it can be plugged in or filled up. It has a range of 483 km, including 83 solely running on electricity, without topping up. And it consumes very little gas, 2.2 litres per 100 km according to the manufacturer. A toggle is used to opt for the all-electric or fuel-assisted sport modes. The car’s solar glass roof contributes up to 321 km per year without any emissions, while also backing up the air conditioning.
And what about design ? No need to worry when you learn that Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler earned their spurs with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and DB9, and also the BMW Z8. They take inspiration for their lines and curves from Nature. An ecological interior, an exterior recalling windswept dunes… But that’s not all : water-based paint applied to the non-polluting bodywork, reclaimed wood and other materials for the passenger compartment. Purity reigns supreme, even in the “command centre”, simplified to feature just 4 push-buttons - start/stop, central locking, opening of the glove compartment and hazard lights. A touch screen is then used to control the audio system, air conditioning, Bluetooth and iPod. For the leathers, the “green” Karma manufacturer has, of course, used the services of a sustainable supplier.
The Karma also proves to be very agile. From a top speed of 153 km/hr with a range of 83 km in all-electric (or Stealth) mode, it leaps to 200 km/hr and a range of 483 km in Sport mode. Criticized by some for being slightly overweight, the car owes its stability and handling to a very rigid aluminium chassis, shock absorbers with an automatic wheelbase corrector and independent wheel suspension. Neophytes will be surprised by the virtual absence of any noise. Safety has also been taken care of, with no less than 8 airbags. In the event of an impact, the battery and fuel pumps shut down and the doors automatically unlock, while the interior and hazard lights are turned on.
So many efforts to protect the planet deserve a reward : a subsidy is therefore paid to French residents when they buy a new Karma. It is also exonerated for a period of time from tax on company cars. Prices start at 102,300 €. The brand is distributed in France, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic by the Group Emil Frey. There are currently five sales outlets in France : in Nice, Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Lille and Tours.
By Laetitia Rossi
