Fisker Karma S Draws High Praise from Automotive Press
IRVINE, CA --- Fisker Automotive unveiled the Fisker Karma S -- powered by Quantum Technologies' Q-DRIVE -- at the 2009 North American International Auto Show and the car was rated "Best Electric Car" by DetroitNews.com.
IRVINE, CA --- Fisker Automotive unveiled the Fisker Karma S -- powered by Quantum Technologies' Q-DRIVE -- at the 2009 North American International Auto Show and the car was rated "Best Electric Car" by DetroitNews.com.
Fisker Automotive is an affiliate of Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide.
"The Karma S blends luxury and performance -- and a drop top. Built on the same body as the Karma, the S shows a high mileage vehicle can perform and remain frugal on fuel," said Scott Burgess of DetroitNews.com.
The open-air Fisker Karma S concept shares its aluminum spaceframe architecture and Q-DRIVE powertrain with the Fisker Karma sedan. Designed and engineered by Quantum Technologies for Fisker Automotive, Q-DRIVE provides 50 emission-free miles on a single charge to its lithium-ion battery pack, and delivers the equivalent of 408 hp and a peak torque of 959 foot-pounds.
The Q-DRIVE, originally developed by Quantum for military applications, incorporates a number of innovations in energy storage, electric drive architecture and control strategies.
In other company news, Fisker Automotive also announced it is building a worldwide retail network to support initial deliveries of the Fisker Karma luxury plug-in hybrid sedan in the fourth quarter of 2009. Vic Doolan, director of retail development, is leading the effort.
Doolan's successful tenures as president of BMW North America and president of Volvo Cars North America "make him well suited for the task," Fisker Automotive said. Specific appointments to the Fisker Automotive retail network will be announced in the coming months.
"Our retail network will give consumers confidence in the Fisker brand and its technology," said Doolan. "Partners will deliver the service to which premium clientele are accustomed."
Fisker Automotive, founded in 2007 by Fisker Coachbuild LLC and Quantum Technologies, is a privately owned American car company producing premium green automobiles.
More Green Fleet

Inspiration Mobility Acquires Key Electrada Assets
Inspiration Mobility Group has acquired select assets of Electrada, adding the fleet electrification provider's team, technology, and charging infrastructure development capabilities to its energy management business.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?
Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.
Read More →
Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges
For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.
Read More →
Startup ZMD Motors Developing Electric Conversion for Ram 5500 Work Trucks
Detroit-based company says it has begun early development of a system to convert internal combustion Ram 5500 chassis-cab trucks to electric power.
Read More →
U.S. EV Adoption Is Climbing, but Commercial and Passenger Markets Diverge
New industry group data revealed that light-duty electric vehicle sales are hitting record market share and volumes, while commercial EV volume dipped. What’s driving the fluctuations?
Read More →
How To Upfit Electric Work Trucks and Vans
The biggest challenge lies in balancing additional equipment and accessories with EV battery capacity and range.
Read More →
How Fleets Can Adjust Approaches To EV Adoption
With the expiration of federal incentives, EV success now hinges less on government policy and more on discounts, battery tech progress, increased range, and broader infrastructure.
Read More →
Despite World Troubles, Forward Thinking Guides Fleets
Fleet operators shared their challenges during an annual conference that embraced the latest advances across all aspects of running private- and public-sector vehicles.
Read More →
GM Energy Details Partnerships and Targets for Public Charging Build-Out
EVgo, Pilot, ChargePoint and IONNA named; goal is 35k GM-invested DC stalls by 2030, with customer-experience upgrades at sites.
Read More →