Fisker Starts Production of the Karma Plug-In Hybrid Sports Saloon in Finland

Fisker Automotive kicked-off production of its Karma plug-in hybrid sedan in Finland this week, with the company planning to sell the first cars in the United States and Europe from April. The California-based automaker assembles the Karma at Valmet Automotive's plant located in Uusikaupunki, Finland. The same factory also builds Cayman and Boxster models for Porsche.

"We're going to be ramping up very slowly, very carefully to ensure quality. This year we want to get over 7,000 deliveries," said Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher. Priced at $88,000 in the U.S. (€62,000 at current exchange rates), the Karma can run on electric power alone for about 50 miles (80 km) before the gasoline engine kicks in.

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Video: Fisker Karma Sedan Television Ad

A few months before Fisker begins delivery of the Karma, the California-based automaker has began running ads for its all-electric sedan on LA TV stations. The first commercial for the 100mpg luxury plug-in hybrid isn't anything special but at least it gets the word out. See it after the jump.

Via: Engadget

Fisker Karma S convertible concept

Besides the production version of the Karma plug-in hybrid sports saloon, Fisker pulled the wraps off a new concept model called Karma S, where "S" stands for Sunset. The car was teased by the company last week via an enigmatic photo which revealed little but stirred the imagination. Showing only a front fender and door line that appeared to resemble the Karma very closely, the lack of a B-pillar and a generally bright look to the interior hinted that the Karma S might be a convertible, and that postulation has proved true.

Featuring a folding hardtop, the Karma S is envisioned by Fisker as a logical extension of the Karma platform, offering buyers of the sport/luxury hybrid a form factor that has long been popular with enthusiasts of more conventional vehicles.

The four-seater convertible is equipped with the same clean Q-DRIVE powertrain with the Karma sedan, providing 50 emission-free miles on a single charge to its lithium-ion battery pack, and up to 403hp from two electric motors.

Fisker Karma S 'Sunset' Concept

Recently, Fisker has announced plans to debut their new Karma S 'Sunset' Convertible concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month. The company has been tight-lipped about the concept but judging by the name it will most likely be based off the production version of the Karma sedan that will also debut at the show.

Besides the green Karma, Fisker is perhaps best known for their coachbuilt SLs and BMWs, but Henrik Fisker is also one of the most influential designers in the last decade, with most of the current Aston Martin lineup and the late, great BMW Z8 attributed to his pen. We can't wait to see what this wunderkind is up to now.

A flashy new door insert that looks as if it could also double as some sort of engine bay vent extends a swooping flare down the side of the car as well. The split-spoke alloy wheels are also of a different type than those of the Karma, though they do share a sort of familial look.