Welcome

[Administrator]

Welcome to FiskerTalk.com!

[ebarneyr]

Thanks! Do you have an estimate of the mileage when one is running on the generator? Any idea of the size of the gas tank? When Karma says 60+ mpg for 300 miles, that is 100 mpg+ on battery for 50 miles and what for the rest of the 300 miles? 30-40 mpg on generator alone? Do you know if there will be a 120 and 240 volt recharging option? One reporter said the Karma was 4 wheel drive but the company says it is 2 wheel drive. Do you know if there are any plans for 4 wheel drive? I put a deposit down in Aug. 2008 and have a projected delivery date in 2nd half of 2010. Do you know if things are on schedule on delivery so far? Any comments or informed guesses would be appreciated.

[Lee Brennan]

Hello and again, welcome!

Things I can answer off the top of my head: The Karma is rear wheel drive. Unlike a gasoline powered engine, the electric motors driving the wheels are local to the wheels themselves. I would think all wheel drive would be a little more complicated unless you simply added two more motors to the front wheels. There isn't really a drive shaft to speak of. I'm not an automotive engineer though so I'm not sure.

As far of delivery schedule, I would be prepared for a bit of a wait. I think you should have your car before the end of 2010.

I seem to recall something about a 240V option. As for the rest of your questions I'll work on getting an answer for you.

[Lee Brennan]

Gas mileage: Based on what I have gleaned from various articles, using what Fisker themselves have said, gas mileage on a 100km drive after the electric capacity was drained was 22.3 mpg.

According to an article by Car and Driver dated Jan. 2008, in series-hybrid mode mpg "is probably around 40 mpg."

According to Left Lane news: "67 mpg in the combined cycle".

I've got a call in to Fisker for more info.

[TesePourryrew]

What's up everyone, I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say hey. Hopefully I posted this in the right section!

[ebarneyr]

Thanks, Lee.

[Lee Brennan]

Originally Posted by TesePourryrew

What's up everyone, I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say hey. Hopefully I posted this in the right section!

Welcome!

[Lee Brennan]

Originally Posted by ebarneyr

Thanks, Lee.

You're welcome. I've been really busy lately, out of town a lot, but when I get some free time I'll work on the rest of your questions.

[ebarneyr]

Thanks again. I hope the 22 mpg is wrong. With an Aktinson cycle engine , 4 cyl., optimized for charging...I would expect higher than 22mpg. If one backs into a 67 average, the 250 miles of the 300 miles range done by the generator would calculate higher than 22mpg. The Lighting elec. car in UK under dev. does use an engine for each wheel. I wish the Karma would do so also...but Maggie Fig. of Fisker customer relations told me by email the Karma is 2 wheel.....and the video from one of the auto shows saying it is 4 wheel drive is wrong...oddly enough the Fisker dealer in Denver thought it was 4 wheel drive and I told him what the co. had said. Hope he didn't get the dealership based on 4 wheel drive for the snow in CO!

[ebarneyr]

I meant electric motor for each wheel on the Lighting.