How the Fisker Karma Works

The 2010 Fisker Karma
Hybrid Cars Image Gallery The 2010 Fisker Karma. See more pictures of hybrid cars.
Fisker Automotive

Imagine what it would be like to buy gas only once a year, or maybe even never again. Now, imagine a whisper-quiet car that can out-perform most luxury sedans in both speed and comfort. Imagine a car with a conscience. Henrik Fisker imagined these things, and then decided to make his dream a reality -- the Fisker Karma.

The basic idea of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle has been making inroads into the fossil-fuel-heavy auto market for some years now. But Fisker and co-founder Bernhard Koehler didn't just design a car; in 2007 they established a new American car company and much of that company's ethic is instilled in the Karma, along with a level of luxury currently seen only in high-end sedans.

Advertisement

The Karma, a slick roadster with the reported chops to back up the image, is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). It pairs a large battery pack and a small gasoline engine to get the most from each element. The batteries can be charged through traditional home outlets or through a generator turned by the car's engine. The relationship between these elements is tuned through proprietary systems crafted by Quantum Technologies, a company that delves into alternate fuel and drive systems for civilian and military vehicles. The result is a sports car that gets about 100 miles per gallon (42.5 kilometers per liter) and looks good while doing it, too.

While there are more PHEVs set to go on the market than ever before, Fisker has added a few twists to differentiate the Karma. These offerings include an option for roof-mounted solar cells to help recharge the car and an optional large stationary solar array for mounting on a house or garage -- think of this as an at-home, solar refueling station. They also pitch the car as "eco-chic," with environmentally-friendly elements abound, both inside and out. For instance, accents carved from reclaimed wood to leather seats crafted using up to 85 percent of the cow's hide rather than simply the choicest parts.

The Fisker Karma is said to be destined for driveways later in 2009; however, whether it will become a common sight on the road or simply another chapter in the history of the automobile remains to be seen.

Keep reading to find out more about the Karma, the bright new world of PHEVs and consider whether or not you're ready to pony up the estimated $80,000 to be the first on the block to plug in your car at night.

Advertisement

Fisker Karma: Q-drive System

Hybrid vehicles are changing the way drivers think about performance. Horsepower and torque numbers still play a role, but gone are the days of bigger is always better. Instead, drivers have to look to how power systems are paired and how they work together.

The power plant of the Fisker's Q Drive system -- a Quantum Technologies plug-in hybrid system that was specifically developed for Fisker Automotive -- is two 201-horsepower electric motors working through the car's rear differential. These motors draw their power from a manganese-based lithium-ion battery pack producing an open circuit voltage of about 400 volts. The Karma's charging strategy includes an on-board generator hooked to a 260-horsepower, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection Ecotec engine. The Ecotec engine is produced by General Motors and used by several car companies.

Advertisement

All these elements tie into two broad concepts -- efficiency and performance.

Global statistics indicate pollution from cars is highest during short commutes and typical around-town errands. In addition, most Americans and Europeans -- about 60 percent -- drive their cars fewer than 50 miles per day. For almost all cars, the engine and emissions control system needs to be at a specific operating temperature to function at its peak effectiveness. During a short drive, like in the case of local errands and most daily commute driving, the engines simply don't reach that critical operating temperature.

However, the Karma's battery pack will operate the vehicle for a range of about 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) under ideal conditions -- remember, speed, terrain and driving style all play a role in depleting battery power to a greater or lesser degree -- meaning no emissions for those miles. The batteries have an estimated life of 10 to 12 years, and the charging cost is relatively small. Fisker spokesman Russell Datz estimated charging the batteries in the Fisker Karma would cost the gas equivalent of about 25 cents per gallon.

As the battery runs down, the system will kick-in the engine to drive the generator and provide additional power to the electric motors. According to Fisker, this proprietary system will be used in all future models and products. But what does all this mean for the driver? Continue reading to find out.

Advertisement

Fisker Karma: Plenty of Torque and Voltage, Too

The 2010 Fisker Karma
The Fisker Karma can be fully charged in as little as five hours when it's plugged into a 240-volt charging system.
Fisker Automotive

One of the advantages of using an electric motor to power a car is that they produce maximum torque the very instant they begin working. This is unlike gasoline engines that need to ramp-up to several thousands of revolutions per minute before producing their maximum torque. For hybrid car makers, electric motors are perfect for reducing emissions and maximizing mileage.

Cars generally use the most energy to begin rolling after a standstill. In other words, the most gas is needed to produce the torque necessary to get the car rolling. Once a car is rolling, the energy necessary to overcome the initial inertia becomes less and less, and therefore, less and less energy (gas) is used. Electric motors produce their maximum torque instantly and need less energy to move the same amount of mass. The Karma's motors produce almost 1,000 foot-pounds of torque (1,356 newton-meters) -- all of which is available immediately.

Advertisement

Of course, the electric motors require energy, and that's where the battery pack comes in. Most hybrid vehicles use a linked series of smaller batteries, around 1.2 volts each, to produce a combined voltage of anywhere from 300 to 650 volts total. This high voltage, especially in series hybrid cars, is necessary to provide the electric motors with enough oomph to get the car rolling.

Mark Arold, director of vehicle and powertrain engineering for Quantum Technologies, said the batteries can be recharged through traditional 110-volt AC home electrical systems, or a 240-volt AC system -- also found in homes and used to power large appliances like electric stoves and clothes dryers. According to Arold, it will take approximately five hours to recharge the Karma on a 240-volt system. While driving, the Karma's gasoline engine will run the on-board generator if the batteries drop below a certain power level, or if the demand on the electric motors cannot be met by battery power alone.

Like other hybrids, the Karma takes advantage of regenerative braking to help stop the car and take advantage of the kinetic energy potential of the car during a coast or brake situation. Regenerative braking uses generators that receive power from the wheels when the car either coasts or brakes and use the wheels inertia to generate a small charge which is then fed to the batteries.

With so many things happening under the hood, it seems as though "intelligent cars" are no longer the stuff of the future -- they're here now. And this programmed intelligence is what allows the Karma to be simply more than a battery-powered car. Read on to find out how.

Advertisement

Fisker Karma: Stealth Drive and Sport Drive

The 2010 Fisker Karma
The 2010 Fisker Karma efficiency gauge
Fisker Automotive

While not yet able to delve into specifics, Mark Arold said the computer architecture and software controls in the Karma are programmed specifically for that car. However, he also said that the technology has been tried and tested for reliability. "This is a technology that has been developed over the years in other platforms," he said.

The software, housed in the hybrid control unit (HCU), manages the battery and engine to obtain the best results from both systems. One simple example is the Karma's auto start/stop function. Depending on inputs to the HCU, the Karma's engine will either shut itself down at long traffic lights, or keep running if necessary. This energy conservation feature is standard to most hybrids but the Karma's software takes into account multiple factors ranging from battery power level to engine load before the stop, and uses that data to make a decision. If the engine shuts off, it will automatically switch on when the gas pedal is pressed.

Advertisement

This same push for efficiency and performance in the Q Drive system allows the driver to operate in two modes: Stealth Drive or Sport Drive. Each mode takes advantage of the technology offered by the system in different ways and with different results:

Stealth Drive

  • Quiet, economy mode
  • Allows drivers to travel up to 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) on a full battery charge
  • Zero emissions
  • 0 to 60 miles per hour (96.6 kilometers per hour) in 7.5 seconds

Sport Drive

  • Driving range is estimated at 300 miles (482.8 kilometers)
  • An average of about 100 miles per gallon (42.5 kilometers per liter)
  • The gas engine powers the generator that charges the batteries which then power the electric motors
  • Some emissions, but less than a typical gasoline engine
  • 0 to 60 miles per hour (96.6 kilometers per hour) in 5.8 seconds

Advertisement

Fisker Karma: Exterior Design

The 2010 Fisker Karma
The 2010 Fisker Karma is available in three different trim levels.
Fisker Automotive

When looking at the Karma, the first standout in the design is the roof. It's formed from one large, curved piece of solar glass that helps recharge the batteries on sunny days. It also serves to improve the cabin's interior climate by absorbing and using that same sunlight rather than simply allowing it to heat the interior air. The solar roof on the Karma will add an estimated 4 to 5 miles (6.4 to 8 kilometers) of battery power per week. A larger, stationary solar array will be available for mounting on a house or garage. The array will supplement power from standard electric outlets and defray some of the charging cost.

According to the company's literature, Karma buyers can choose from three different trim levels: EcoStandard, EcoSport and EcoChic. EcoChic is the most environmentally friendly, and is based on a luxurious and animal-free approach. Leather is replaced by 100 percent Bamboo Viscose, a soft hand textile. EcoGlass trim frames authentic fossilized leaves. EcoGlass is made from recycled sand. Karma's EcoSport series incorporates hand-wrapped premium leather using a 100 percent sustainable manufacturing strategy minimizing the number of hides required and highlighting natural markings.

Advertisement

The Karma's controls bring a futuristic approach as well by introducing the first haptic touch screen available in a car. A haptic touch screen provides feedback senses to the user so if they push a screen button it feels and sounds like a real button was pushed. This screen allows the driver to control climate, audio, and other vehicle systems. Liquid crystal display (LCD) screens provide speed readouts and battery power levels.

For the Karma to succeed it needs more than just cool fossils in the window glass and eco-savvy. The cars are slated for delivery in 2010, but will Fisker have the momentum necessary to break into the ever-competitive (and ever-shrinking) car market? Keep reading to judge for yourself.

Advertisement

Fisker Karma: Production

At the same time the production-level Karma was rolled out at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Mich., the company also walked out the Karma S concept, a two-door hardtop convertible. The move was met with both skepticism and grudging respect. Normally car makers wait for a new model to be accepted and proven -- typically about three or four years -- before introducing a new model. Doing otherwise, some in the industry believe, potentially takes away from potential sales of the original. But then again Karma is set on breaking the mold and doesn't seem averse to taking chances.

The company, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and with research and design facilities in Pontiac, Mich., has received more than 1,000 pre-orders for the Karma, and they've contracted with Valmet Automotive in Finland produce the first run of cars.

Advertisement

Fisker spokesman Russell Datz said ultimately Fisker will produce the cars in the United States with an estimated 15,000 cars rolling off the line each year by the end of 2011, which is when the Karma S will begin delivery. Datz said, depending on demand and federal incentives, prices on future models could drop to about $50,000.

The Fisker Karma will be delivered to the first customers by the end of this year. Datz said, and the company is offering a 50-month, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, one of the longest in the industry for hybrid vehicles.

At the time of this writing, about 35 dealerships in the United States have partnered with Fisker to provide Karma sales and service. Datz said there were more than 80 dealers signed on with the company worldwide, and he was confident the business model would work. "This is the first premium green vehicle," he said of the Karma. "It has all the amenities you would find in a Mercedes CLS or a BMW 7 Series. It offers a combination of style, performance and efficiency never seen before."

For more information about the Fisker Karma and hybrid cars, follow the links on the next page.

Advertisement

Lots More Information

Related HowStuffWorks Articles

  • Arold, Mark. Director of Vehicle and Powertrain Engineering for Quantum Technologies. Personal interview. Conducted April 1, 2009.
  • Datz, Russell. Fisker spokesman. Personal interview. Conducted March 31, 2009.
  • Fisker Automotive, Inc. (June 15, 2009) http://karma.fiskerautomotive.com/
  • Quantum Technologies (June 15, 2009) http://www.qtww.com/

Advertisement

Loading...