Best of both worlds from Fisker

Dec 8 2008 Steve Hughes

Best of both worlds from Fisker

A STUNNING sports coupe is claiming economy averaging 100mpg when it arrives in Britain next year with a mission to take sales from BMW, Audi, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.

The new Fisker Karma will be a sports-oriented model that aims to offer the best of both worlds with outstanding driving dynamics and a fuel-efficient hybrid power source.

The American newcomer is being shown for the first time in its production-ready form ahead of its debut at the North American motor show in Detroit in January.

It is then expected to be manufactured at the rate of 15,000 a year, with the first deliveries arriving next November with prices from about £60,000.

The petrol-hybrid power system is similar to that used by Lexus to endow the car with silent and ultra-economical travel when using the lithium ion batteries only but with the potential for high-performance progress when the petrol engine kicks in.

On battery power only the range is said to be about 50 miles, at which point the petrol engine cuts in automatically and recharges the batteries, which can also be charged at home overnight.

Fisker says that for commuters with a daily round-trip of 50 miles or less, the average economy over the course of a year will be in the region of 100mpg.

When used in petrol mode there is acceleration to 60mph in 5.8 seconds and the top speed is 125mph.

Fisker Automotive chief executive Henrik Fisker, says: "I am proud to announce that we are already sold out until mid-2010."