Watch green go: Fisker launches environmentally aware sports car

Irvine, California – Redefining the expectations of car enthusiasts seeking high-spec sports vehicles, hybrid performance cars offer considerably greener alternatives to petrol-powered automobiles while maintaining the sports car driving experience. The Karma, the first production vehicle from US premium electric car manufacturer Fisker Automotive, has been announced for release in late 2009, and will be shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2009.

The car has both electric and gas capabilities. For the first 80km travelled per day, the vehicle is powered by electricity, after which the gas motor kicks in to generate a lithium ion battery – the principle behind this being the assumption that most drivers are unlikely to drive more than this distance a day. Fisker Automotive estimates that most Karma drivers who charge the car overnight and commute less than 80km per day will be able to achieve an average fuel economy of 100mpg (2.4l/100km) per year – a level of fuel efficiency so far unchallenged by similar cars.

Read about more hybrid, green and concept cars in our report on the Los Angeles car show, and in our forthcoming coverage of the Detroit motor show in January.