2012 Fisker Karma

(from Fisker Press Release)  Fact Sheet: Fisker Karma and Fisker Automotive

- Fisker Automotive, an American company based in Southern California, has been a catalyst in the auto industry. With the Karma, Fisker changed the perception of what an electric car could be: a high-style, high-performance luxury sedan.

- The fully certified Fisker Karma, an all-new car with all-new technology from an all-new company, went from concept to showroom in less than 48 months and for much less cost than industry standard.

- The Karma offers a unique package of world-class style and design combined with industry leading economy and the lowest emissions of nearly any production car.

- Starting in the US at $102,000 before $7500 Federal tax credits, the Fisker Karma is the only truly eco-conscious alternative to other luxury sedans in the same and higher price segments (e.g. Porsche Panamera S Hybrid; Maserati Quattroporte)

- Fisker Automotive is ahead of European, Japanese and Korean manufacturers in the development of extended-range electric vehicles.

- Fisker Automotive is primarily privately funded, having raised more than $860 million in private equity financing since 2007. Despite receiving $528.7 million in Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantees, the company’s success is not dependent on government money. Only about 1/3 of the total loan amount ($190 million) has been drawn, directed mostly at Karma design and development.

- The Karma is the first and only advanced-technology vehicle supported by the DOE to successfully reach the public marketplace. It began arriving in showrooms 18 months after the company received final approval for the DOE loan.

- Fisker has generated more than $100 million in revenue from Karma sales since December 2011.

- In May 2011 Fisker Automotive opted to stop taking reimbursements from the DOE while the company entered negotiations to implement more realistic and achievable milestones.

- As a prudent business measure, project Nina has been temporarily put on hold until financing, either from the DOE or elsewhere, can be secured.

- Fisker Automotive remains committed to a long-term product plan that includes lower-priced, higher-volume Electric Vehicles with extended range (EVer™).

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 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.

Fisker Karma Proves 83 km/51.6 Mile Electric Range in TUV Tests

The Fisker Karma has achieved 83 km/51.6 miles running in silence on electric-only mode during independent fuel efficiency tests carried out by Europe’s regulatory body, the Technischer Ueberwachungs Verein (TUV) today (“De” according Annex 9 of ECE R 101).

The TUV have carried out the most thorough tests yet of the Karma’s real-world urban performance. This is an independent process that measures every element of the Fisker Karma luxury plug-in hybrid’s performance.

“We are delighted that the TUV has confirmed that most owners will achieve a 50 mile range running purely on electric during their daily commute,” said Fisker Automotive CEO and co-founder Henrik Fisker.

The Karma has already been awarded the highest possible score of 10 out of 10 for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions on its label from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

About Fisker Automotive, Inc.

Fisker Automotive is a new automaker with a mission to build an innovative, eco-driven company that redefines and reshapes how the world thinks about cars. The company is leading the auto industry with its unique Electric Vehicle with extended range (EVer™) powertrain technology, which combines the power and efficiency of electric drive with the range and freedom of a gasoline engine.

Fisker was established in Southern California in 2007 by top auto designer Henrik Fisker and business partner Bernhard Koehler. In 2008 Fisker unveiled the Karma, the world’s first luxury Electric Vehicle with extended range. On sale since December 2011 the Karma was delivered to the market in record time. The Karma is the first and only American car to have won the coveted BBC Top Gear Luxury Car of the Year award, Automobile magazine named it 2012 Design of the Year, and TIME magazine listed the Karma one of the 50 Best Inventions of 2011.

Fisker is headquartered in Anaheim, California and markets its products through a growing network of independent retailers around the world. Fisker Automotive can be found online at www.fiskerautomotive.com