Fisker Karma Revealed in Detroit

Karma: a term describing that of cause and effect. And so it is appropriate that Fisker Automotive's first production car is so named. Dubbed as a vehicle allowing consumers the good practise of automotive karma, this environmentally-friendly plug-in hybrid is a new breed, bringing the extreme comfort and style of the luxury automobile category to an eco-friendlier one.

Cutting-edge technology features at the new Karma's heart. Developed exclusively for Fisker Automotive by Quantum Technologies, Q-DRIVE provides a small petrol engine in turning a generator for power to its lithium-ion battery pack. The technology will be used to power future derivatives under the Fisker brand. Regenerative braking will be employed to regain power otherwise lost from braking, while an optional solar roof will charge the battery and maintain partly self-contained climate control when parked.

Offering emissions-free driving of up to 50 miles per charge, Fisker are keen to point out that with more than 60% of Americans and Europeans driving less than 50 miles on their daily commutes, household fuel dependency could drop with a Karma on the drive. "If this 60% of commuters would drive a plug-in hybrid like the Fisker Karma, we could see the fastest possible reduction both in oil consumption and emissions - all without sacrificing their daily driving habits."

A sleek, elongated design, the result of an all-new chassis built specifically for the development of the new powertrain, places the battery pack in the centre of the vehicle - improving weight distribution and dynamics. Proportional in height to Porsche's 911 and in length to the Mercedes CLS, the Fisker Karma makes extensive use of lightweight aluminium for its body panels and structure, producing impressive performance statistics - sprinting to sixty in just six seconds and continuing 'beyond' 125 mph.

Luxury exudes from the Karma's 'first class' four-seater cabin, with modern sophistication and a spacious luggage capacity the overriding features. The Karma's electronic aides include a Navigation system in the front with DVD player and integrated seat back displays in the rear. Two modes of driving are selectable: "Stealth Mode" and "Sport Mode". The former tweaks the car's setup for quiet economy mode and the latter, a mode to access the full extent of the car's power.

The design is final and will be put to market in the form seen next week at Detroit, with the first 99 examples to be numbered and signed by Henrik Fisker - produced in the colour and trim of the show vehicle. The Fisker Karma will hit Detroit January 14th, with first deliveries starting the last quarter of 2009.

Pininfarina Sintesi Concept first sketch revealed

Pininfarina has released the first sketch of the new Sintesi, its first concept car since the Birdcage 75th, presented in the 2005 edition of the Geneva Motor Show. Due to be first shown to the public in March, also at the Geneva event, the Sintesi has been given a website of its own, www.sintesi.pininfarina.com , only to tease visitors about what the Italian ?azienda? has prepared this time. Most of the images in the photo album have been taken from it.

The Sintesi, as its name states, intends to be a synthesis of the sportiness that has always emerged from Pininfarina?s projects and the functionality another of its famous concept cars, the Nido, has demonstrated so well. These ideas would perfectly fit the new electric car Pininfarina will release in 2010, in a partnership with the French company Bollore. Most people would think the logical choice would be the Nido, since the own company relates the new product to its city cars. The current conception of what an electric car should be also points to small vehicles, but the Nido is a two-seater and Pininfarina has already informed the electric car will be a four-seater, just like the Sintesi will be?

The low-volume production, only 15,000 cars a year, also points out that Pininfarina?s electric vehicle will be more willing to face the Fisker Karma than a smart fortwo.

Sintesi is also the first concept created under the direction of Lowie Vermeersch. Check out what he says about the car: ?This concept car is the synthesis of our values, of the love for our work and our passion for innovation, of beauty driven by functionality, of sportiness and elegance. However, Sintesi isn?t only the expression of Pininfarina design; it also embraces innovative technologies that allow us to explore new typologies of mobility, active safety and packaging solutions.? Any doubts it is a serious candidate to become a production electric car?

The chairman Andrea Pininfarina endorses this idea. ?Three years ago we unveiled Birdcage 75th, our last prototype. Together with our new concept Sintesi we would like to anticipate new car design trends. In Sintesi, we put all our goodwill in looking at the future, first and foremost in resorting to the excellence of our design.? Let?s way and see!








Press Release

Sintesi, the new Pininfarina concept-car, at the Geneva Motor Show

Friday, 14 December 2007
Turin, December 14, 2007. Pininfarina is proud to announce the unveiling of a new concept at the next Geneva Motor Show in March, 2008. This exciting new car will be named ?Sintesi?.

?Sintesi? is the result of the Pininfarina Design Department, under the direction since last August by Lowie Vermeersch, the 33 year old Design Director with almost ten years experience at Pininfarina. Assisting him are Vice Directors Guglielmo Cartia and Fabrizio Valentini and chief designers Jason Castriota, Giovanni Piccardo, Goran Popovic and Giuseppe Randazzo.
?Three years ago we unveiled Birdcage 75th, our last prototype. Together with our new concept Sintesi we would like to anticipate new car design trends? says Andrea Pininfarina, Chairman and CEO Pininfarina S.p.A.
?This concept car is the synthesis of our values, of the love for our work and our passion for innovation, of beauty driven by functionality, of sportiness and elegance. However, Sintesi isn?t only the expression of Pininfarina design; it also embraces innovative technologies that allow us to explore new typologies of mobility, active safety and packaging solutions? states Lowie Vermeersch.
?In Sintesi, we put all our goodwill in looking at the future, first and foremost in resorting to the excellence of our design? underlines Andrea Pininfarina.
An on-line teaser campaign will accompany Sintesi from January to the Geneva Motor Show.


Related entries:

Pininfarina Sintesi Concept to Debut in Geneva
Pininfarina to Build Electric Cars
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