Well Fisker getting mostly bought out (by the Chinese or whomever) gives them a chance to actually pay back that loan. If they go bankrupt, then that loan will be a loss to the tax payers.
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I was able to take a Karma for a short test drive.
Although the interior looks cramped, it was very comfortable and did not feel small at all.
The car felt heavy, substantial, and solid. It was very fun to drive, with good low speed handeling, and decent acceleration.
Brake blending with regen was done very well, it was seamless.
Acceleration was good in both EV (Stealth) and Hybrid (sport) modes, with not a whole lot of difference between the two modes, but still noticeable. It does not launch off the line very strong, like the Model S does, but once moving acceleration is brisk. Not bad for a heavy car, but not up to Model S capability (I have only test driven the MSP).
The engine was very smooth and quiet. Engine start and stop was imprecievable, even better than the Volt, which is very good.
I am not a fan of the Karma. I will save for the Model S or BlueStar instead. However, I was surprised at how nice a car it is, and can definately see the appeal to people fortunate enough to be able to easily afford it.
I absolutely love the design of my Karma, but it is too heavy, too big, too cramped in the back (and trunk) and too noisy in Sport Mode, the control center is sluggish and not functioning well (especially when compared to the Model S) and there are too many problems with the build quality.
And then there is the range, which falls far short of what was projected. The EPA tested it at 32 miles on the battery (compared to 50 miles predicted by Fisker) and that is what I also get on average. This would be the same as if the EPA had tested the Model S at 192 miles versus the 300 miles Tesla predicted (the EPA actually tested it at 265 miles).
Right_Said_Fred,
It doesn't sound like your conclusions are much different than mine. I have also driven the Model S, and the Karma does not come close to it. I did not try the Karma's back seat or trunk, but they do look tiny. I did not notice the engine noise as much as you; probably bad hearing on my part. My main conclusion is the Karma was much better than I expected, and it does have appeal.
However, given $100k to buy a car, the Model S clearly would be more enjoyable than ANY other car.
GSP
Latest update on Fisker's potential sale. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/18/us-china-auto-idUSBRE91H05G20130218
I think that it's too late in the game for a startup to survive. Fisker barely has a chance considering they haven't produced a new car in over 6 months and they don't seem to be suffering from a supply shortage of any kind.
It does feels heavy and solid, but after driving it for many months that becomes less pleasant. The Model S feels lighter and nimbler. The Karma is not good in turns at low speed, because it is so heavy and because it has such a big wheel base. The front wheels are too far forward, which makes turning problematic, especially in cramped spaces. The tires tend to rub from friction in tight turns at slow speed.
And then there is the range, which falls far short of what was projected. The EPA tested it at 32 miles on the battery (compared to 50 miles predicted by Fisker) and that is what I also get on average. This would be the same as if the EPA had tested the Model S at 192 miles versus the 300 miles Tesla predicted (the EPA actually tested it at 265 miles).
I just doubt that a new startup could come to market from scratch with a better PHEV than what GM and the others are starting to offer. When Tesla started, nobody cared. After the Roadster built brand recognition, some others made PHEVs or short range EVs, but really Model S doesn't have an EV competitor. Now that Nissan and BMW and GM are moving into the premium space for EVs and PHEVs, I don't see how a startup could compete with that unless they had some new game changing technology which Fisker doesn't. Starting from scratch would probably result in a better Atlantic, but I can see an established brand getting there first.On the contrary I think that a new startup is needed for Fisker. This way Fisker could develop a better power train that could be used also for Atlantic.
A motto says: "It's never too late"
I agree with you about the cramped back seat and trunk of the Karma - I wish both were bigger, and I really like the interior room and cargo carrying capacity of the Model S. But I wish the Model S had more dramatic styling and a less austere interior. I guess the bottom line for me is that they are both good cars with unique limitations and I am lucky to get to drive both of them.
Attempting to redefine words?the Fisker Karma is a 4-door sports coupe
Coupé - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionarya 2-door automobile often seating only two persons
Note the underlined in my prior post. My point wasn't about the seating, it was about the doors.Not to spilt hairs, but many sports coupe do seat 4, Maserati gran tourismo, BMW 650, Cadillac CTS , come to mind , so there is no redefinition ... That was this gist of my suggestion -I was trying to make the point that had the Fisker been 2door, more people would find its space in the rear more acceptable. Looks like Henrik followed the Aston Martin Rapide instead.
Note the underlined in my prior post. My point wasn't about the seating, it was about the doors.
And Webster's and I agree with you on the seating, hence "often" in the definition.
Weird.From the Mercedes Benz USA page on the CLS:
The original 4-passenger, 4-door coupe delivers a motoring experience that can be shared by all aboard, but with no other automobile.
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehic...=0DAC874F444F43E8BE7C0B8F29FEE769|12204425007
Mercedes introduced the CLS "4 door coupe" in 2004...