Blog Archive
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2011
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May
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- Fisker Karma Makes European Debut at Monaco Grand ...
- Ford Focus RS
- UPS Composite Van Boost MPG by 40%
- Fullycharged John O'Groats to Lands end in a Tesla...
- Suzuki With Hot Hatchback in Geneva with Swift S-C...
- Lorinser Gives Revamped Mercedes-Benz S-Class More...
- Seat Start Production of Audi Q3 in 2012
- Mitsubishi target 25,000 i-MiEV sales in FY 2011
- Transformers 3 "Dark of the Moon"
- BMW, Mercedes-Benz Fight to Outsell Each Other in ...
- Nissan LEAF: Gas Powered Everything [video]
- Renault - Electric Life [video]
- BritNed 1 GW HVDC Interconnector between UK and EU...
- 2011 Ford Escape
- Newey: Red Bull Racing underestimated KERS
- Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2011 overview and drea...
- 2011 Holden VE Series II SS V8 Ute
- Targa Tasmania 2011 - In the Cockpit of a Tesla Ro...
- Bosch to get VW contract for EV batteries
- Tesla Announces Follow-On Offering of Common Stock
- The fastest way to charge your Nissan Leaf - towin...
- Grand Prix Electrique Pile Up at 2011 Grand Prix d...
- 2011 Ford Fiesta S1600
- Mercedes-Benz to Style Helicopter Interiors, Yacht...
- Nissan Leaf Earns Top Safety Rating from NCAP [video]
- UK Police take delivery of first electric patrol car
- Electric Porsche Boxster E breaks cover @ Challeng...
- Lexus LF-Gh Concept
- Concept vehicle art by John Frye
- Azure Dynamics Sells 27 Ford Transit Connect EVs t...
- Venturi Volage wins 3 awards @ the Challenge Bibendum
- Nissan Leaf prices set to fall
- All-New 2012 Kia Rio 5 Hatchback
- VW plans to introduce EVs in Japan within 3 years
- All-New 2012 Subaru Impreza
- Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2011 [video]
- Vexing Hex: Iranian Designer Pens 6-Wheel Mercedes...
- New Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck
- Multijet II Turbo Diesel for Alfa Romeo MiTo
- Deal for first 100 government EVs almost done
- Chevrolet Volt Plant Prepares for Production Boost...
- Nissan could help Red Bull with KERS
- Japanese electric car 'goes 300km' on single charge
- Toyota Extends Production Halt until March 22
- Johnson Controls Moves to Dissolve Battery Joint V...
- Brabus Gives Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series M...
- 2011 NYIAS: Lexus CT 200h
- Majority of consumers would consider buying an EV ...
- Obama administration wants rebate on electric cars
- V2G might make a profit for EV owners
- GM Electric Motors Plant is First for Major U.S. A...
- Toyota Verso-S 2011
- Aston Martin Will Build a Cygnet EV
- Fully Charged Delta E4 test drive, Blackcurrent VW...
- Opel: First battery car from 2013
- All New NISSAN LEAF NISMO RC 2011 SHAKEDOWN [video]
- Toyota’s Prius V Gets Over 8 Times As Many Orders ...
- Germany Doubles Electric Vehicle Research and Deve...
- BMW M5 Concept
- 2011 Ford Fiesta RS WRC
- Brammo wins in TTXGP season opener at Infineon Rac...
- Volkswagen to make electric cars in China with FAW
- Solar Field to Power Chevrolet Volt Assembly Plant
- Test Drive of the Electric Ford Transit Van [video]
- Order Books Open for Nissan Leaf in Spain
- Volvo Going Racing with Rear-Drive Volvo S60
- Porsche 911 GT3 500HP
- Clarkson and Co filming the Nissan Leaf and Peugeo...
- Top Gear up to their usual Electric Car comedy rou...
- How It's Made: Audi R8 e-tron AWD Electric Super C...
- Aurelien Francois concept vehicle
- Air Conditioner
- Electric cars take off in Norway
- Volkswagen to introduce plug-in hybrids by 2013
- Vettel, Webber Praise Red Bull for KERS Fix
- Toyota to make plug-ins standard for Prius from 2014
- Concept vehicle art by Nick Carver
- New York Could See Electric Taxis by 2017
- Nissan Leaf NISMO Electric Race Car ON TRACK [video]
- Toyota consumer’s first choice for hybrid and elec...
- Ford shows off prototype of new electric Focus [vi...
- 'KERS worked well' - Webber
- Jaguar and Williams F1 set for UK-made hybrid car ...
- All-electric garbage trucks to sweep French streets
- Spyker Set to Sell its Cars in Select Saab Showrooms
- A123 signs on as sponsor of TTXGP electric motorcy...
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- Wrc
- Nissan's Leaf sales spike in April
- Peugeot EX1 electric car record run around the Nür...
- Red Bull's KERS problem fixed - Marko
- Increase proposed to $9,500 Electric Car Tax Credit
- BYD e6 all-electric car [video]
- Rent A Racer: Audi Race Experience Program Puts Yo...
- Toyota FJ Cruiser
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- Amp Electric Vehicles scores $100M deal in Iceland
- Mercedes plans electric S-class
- Chevrolet Volt Drawing New Customers to Dealers
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May
(102)
Fisker Karma Makes European Debut at Monaco Grand Prix
Visitors to the world’s most prestigious motorsport event, the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, were among the first to see the first Fisker Karma off the production line put through its paces as it made its European driving debut on the famous street circuit.
On Saturday 28 May 2011, before official race qualifying began, the first European production version of the Fisker Karma, the world’s first true Electric Vehicle with extended range, took to the streets of Monaco, completing a couple of laps.
The vehicle was piloted by Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco. His Serene Highness was joined during this momentous occasion by company co-founder, CEO and executive design director, Henrik Fisker. This event marked the first dynamic, public showing of the Karma in Europe.
Fisker commented: “The Fisker Karma project has a distinct Monaco link. Prince Albert was one of the people who inspired me to create the Fisker Karma. When I met him at the Top Marques Show in Monaco in 2006 he commented that he would love to see a fuel-efficient luxury car, and from that small seed grew the concept of what became Fisker Automotive and our focus on premium EVer cars that deliver pure driving passion.
“We want to thank both the principality of Monaco and Prince Albert for not only being the inspiration, but also a great support for our groundbreaking automotive green initiative,” continued Fisker.
Designed to reflect Henrik’s paradigm of Responsible Luxury™, the Fisker Karma is the first American-designed and engineered luxury vehicle specifically developed to appeal to world markets. It is the only luxury sedan in the world that meets future fuel consumption and emission requirements, making it suitable for any international city.
The Karma was also on static display during the race weekend, both at the chicane exiting the tunnel, turns 10 and 11, otherwise known as the Nouvelle Chicane, and thereafter in Cavallari – Monaco Motors, Fisker’s newest dealership, located on 6- 11 rue Princesse Florestine, MC 98000.
The only true Electric Vehicle with extended range, the Fisker Karma drives its rear wheels using two rear-mounted 201.5 horsepower (150 kW) electric traction motors that draw energy from the lithium-ion battery pack for up to 50 miles (80 km). The gasoline engine drives a 175 kW electric generator to power the motors; there is no mechanical link between this engine and the drive motors.
Uniquely, the Fisker Karma can run in one of two drive modes: Stealth and Sport. Stealth Mode maximizes efficiency, giving the car its greatest range on battery power before activating the gasoline engine-driven generator to sustain battery charge. In Stealth Mode, the Karma can accelerate from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 95 mph (153 km/h). With Sport Mode engaged, the gasoline engine drives the generator to provide enough electricity for 403 total system horsepower, allowing the Karma to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).
In all aspects of performance, the Fisker Karma is designed to be a true driver’s car. Its proprietary, advanced aluminum space frame incorporates new levels of rigidity and strength that give the Karma world-class ride and handling characteristics. Fisker Automotive’s engineering team designed the Karma’s space frame around the car’s unique powertrain, filing for multiple patents in the process.
Benefitting from a four-wheel independent SLA (double-wishbone) suspension, also employing aluminum components, the Karma has been specifically tuned to run on standard 22-inch aluminum wheels, a first for a production car.
Production of the Fisker Karma recently started at Valmet Automotive’s Uusikaupunki facility in Finland with Fisker aiming to achieve full build rate by the second half of 2011. It is Fisker’s plan to deliver vehicles to all current deposit holders during the 2011 model year.