Fisker Karma Eco-Chic

Fisker Karma Eco-Chic

The Fisker Karma burst onto the automotive scene in 2012 as one of the most visually striking and conceptually ambitious cars of the early electric vehicle era. Designed by Henrik Fisker, the legendary automotive designer responsible for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and BMW Z8, the Karma combined plug-in hybrid technology with a design so dramatic and beautiful that it commanded attention regardless of its powertrain.

The Karma's propulsion system was a series hybrid arrangement, marketed by Fisker as the Q-Drive system. Two electric motors mounted on the rear axle produced a combined 403 horsepower and a staggering 959 lb-ft of torque. A 20.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provided approximately 32 miles of pure electric driving range, after which a GM-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder engine would start and act as a generator to extend the range to approximately 300 miles total. The gasoline engine never directly drove the wheels; it only generated electricity to feed the electric motors.

The design was Henrik Fisker's masterwork. The Karma's proportions were breathtaking: an impossibly long hood, a steeply raked windshield, a flowing greenhouse, and a dramatic rear end created a silhouette that was simultaneously modern and classically elegant. The front featured a bold grille flanked by dramatic LED headlamps, and the solar panel embedded in the roof was not merely decorative; it generated enough electricity to power the climate system and extend range by a few miles per day.

The eco-luxury concept extended throughout the interior, which used reclaimed wood trim sourced from trees that had been felled by forest fires in California, recycled materials in the floor mats, and leather from Bridge of Weir, a tannery that uses wind-powered energy. These sustainable materials were arranged in an interior of genuine luxury, with hand-stitched leather seats, real aluminum switchgear, and a minimalist dashboard design.

Despite its beauty and innovative concept, the Karma was plagued by problems. The battery supplier A123 Systems went bankrupt, quality control issues were widespread, and several Karmas suffered battery fires that generated negative publicity. Consumer Reports famously could not complete its testing of the Karma because its test car broke down. The vehicle's weight of over 5,300 pounds also undermined its performance and efficiency credentials.

Fisker Automotive itself filed for bankruptcy in 2013, having produced approximately 2,450 Karmas. The assets were eventually purchased by the Wanxiang Group, which relaunched the car as the Karma Revero under a new company called Karma Automotive.

Today, the original Fisker Karma occupies a fascinating niche in automotive history. As a rarity produced by a failed startup, it has a certain tragic glamour that attracts collectors. The Henrik Fisker design has aged remarkably well, and clean, functioning examples are appreciated as one of the most beautiful cars of the 2010s, regardless of the troubled story behind them.