Valmet Automotive announces plans to build Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid

It may still be squabbling with Tesla over some allegedly stolen secrets, but it looks like Fisker is still moving full steam ahead with its Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid, with Valmet Automotive now announcing its intention to manufacturer the car en masse in Finland. As Fisker itself had announced way back when, they're expecting to churn out 15,000 of the cars annually, with the first of 'em sent to land in North America sometime in the fourth quarter of 2009, and Europeans getting theirs shortly thereafter in 2010. Apparently, Valmet was chosen to manufacture the car after an "extensive global search," with its location in Finland in particular working in its favor given that more than half of Fisker's cars are expected to be sold outside of North America.

[Thanks, Timo]

[DogEars @ Jul 16th 2008 10:47PM]

Damn that's hot...

[neofolklore @ Jul 17th 2008 8:03AM]

one word: PRICE?

[tyler @ Jul 17th 2008 9:25AM]

If that's what a hybrid looked like, I would definitely consider purchasing one.

[Billz @ Jul 16th 2008 10:49PM]

I-phone compatibility? jk


Its great to see these kind of cars lead the change movement but too bad the high price would offset any gas savings.

[neofolklore @ Jul 17th 2008 8:01AM]

actually i wouldnt mind that, if it had a 3.5mm audio cable jack for any audio device

[zacc @ Jul 16th 2008 10:53PM]

fisker karma > tesla
completely

[The Dude @ Jul 16th 2008 11:02PM]

Definitely.

This car is sex.

[andres @ Jul 16th 2008 11:08PM]

i came

[zacc @ Jul 16th 2008 11:11PM]

@The Dude
Yet somehow, it gets even better. I'm sure you recall it's customizable motor sounds, no?
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/14/fisker-karma-hybrid-sports-car-to-generate-motor-noise-through-e/2

It could even sound "like something between a Formula One car and a jet plane."
Two please.

[Justin E @ Jul 16th 2008 11:50PM]

@zacc
Bubb Rubb is gonna love the customizable engine sounds... "It's that WHOOO WHOOO"

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 17th 2008 12:21AM]

Not if you like fast cars. The Tesla is faster than this one.

[Tim Brown @ Jul 17th 2008 6:59AM]

Put the sound of an X-wing or Tie Fighter in there

[neofolklore @ Jul 17th 2008 8:02AM]

x-wing? oh hells yea

[Ayman @ Jul 16th 2008 10:59PM]

I break open my piggy bank

I just need to buy a piggy bank first

[Jonathan Zencovich @ Jul 16th 2008 11:00PM]

If I understand things correctly, the car will go for about $80K. Not too bad I guess.... still way higher than anything I can afford. But it's nice to know that it's not like 300K or something. Green needs to get cheaper!

source: http://www.fiskerautomotive.com/vehicles/order/ [warning, PDF link for price]

The design looks nice.

--Jon

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 17th 2008 12:19AM]

The Tesla is a much faster car though. This only does 0-60 in 6 secs.

[Maeztro @ Jul 16th 2008 11:04PM]

Made a little coin on the company that supplies the power for this car...QTWW...not sure what it's doing these days...

[Hotrod @ Jul 16th 2008 11:19PM]

If I had that car, I would pull up to random people, lower my radio, and then spit on them. Then, I would slowly turn my radio back up while rolling my window up, and drive off.

Actually, I'm just joking, but I would feel rich as hell if I owned that thing.

[Derek @ Jul 16th 2008 11:20PM]

This is the best looking electric car, if not the best looking petrol car, I have ever seen.

[Pdexter @ Jul 17th 2008 3:54AM]

Ever seen Alfas 8C... i mean that's porn.

[yoctotech @ Jul 16th 2008 11:32PM]

so cool

[yoctotech @ Jul 16th 2008 11:29PM]

so cool

[Phil @ Jul 16th 2008 11:35PM]

Looks nice, save for the baleen-esque front. Maybe it runs on krill?

[Jason White @ Jul 17th 2008 12:18AM]

OMG, I was thinking the exact same thing. Dory: Oh, Look, Krill... Krill: SWIM AWAY!!

[Stealth @ Jul 16th 2008 11:43PM]

What a beautiful vehicle. It's like a Corvette mixed with an Aston Martin or something...

[Denver_80203 @ Jul 16th 2008 11:43PM]

All I can think is
Gravel pit... Cracked windshield in 5...4..3...

[Jonathan-DBOSS @ Jul 17th 2008 12:04AM]

The first ever sexy hybrid car!

All other alternatives are just plain horsesh*t.

-dBoss iNc.

[joe blow @ Jul 17th 2008 12:36AM]

As smartly styled as any 4 door I've seen. Wonder what it sounds like? Better range than Tesla?

[Artie Lange @ Jul 17th 2008 1:26AM]

I sounds like one hand clapping, or a tree falling in a forrest unwitnessed. It is, my old friend, the sound of silence..

[Mike @ Jul 17th 2008 2:44AM]

Actually, it plays a soundtrack described as being somewhere between a F1 car and a jet turbine. But don't let facts get in the way of your funny ...

[Michael Chastain @ Jul 17th 2008 6:46PM]

The range will only be limited by the size of the gas tank, so I would think it would have better range.

[Colin @ Jul 17th 2008 1:02AM]

Everyone:

Y'all actually love this beast?! There's not an original line on this car. It's got the maw of a demented BMW Z8, the hood of a Corvette C6, the belt line of an Olds Aurora and the tail of a Rx-8.

It's like the designers mashed their favourite bits together in Photoshop and ran a "distribute proportions haphazardly" filter.

I christen this thing "The Homer".

[Greg @ Jul 17th 2008 11:00PM]

Agreed. First thing I thought was way to steal the lines from a BMW Z8 and an Aston Martin Vanquish/Vantage. Not an original line on this car, there must be about 5-6 cars mixed into this one as far as shape goes. Not the ugliest of cars but at the same rate not one of the greatest looking either. I'm looking forward to seeing what the Top Gear guys have to say about this one.

[Artie Lange @ Jul 17th 2008 1:22AM]

The Fisker features an optional solar-panel roof that will power the A/C.
Fisker will also offer home-installed solar-panel-powered recharging stations that will allow the Fisker to use solar generated energy to recharge the batteries, thereby circumventing the criticisms that are often leveled against plug-in EVs.

Basically, If you drive less than 50 miles in a day and use a solar array to charge the car, you could possibly go a year or more without every paying anything for the energy you're consuming. Its as close to a perpetual motion machine one can get without breaking any pesky laws of thermodynamics.

Please Fisker, make this; if you over promise and under-deliver, you will not only discredit your company, but an entire movement that is vital to the energy security of this country. Avoid hyperbole and cling to honest, conservative prediction. Just do what you say you will do in the time you claim you can for the price you have set.

[jake @ Jul 17th 2008 2:49AM]

Don't hold your breath, with these kinds of cars it's better to set your expectations a little lower. Kind of like the Tesla and Volt. Both crept up in price and problems cropped up. Fisker is a small company like Tesla so it's wouldn't be unsual for problems along the way or adjustments in pricing. The fate of the PHEV movement doesn't really ride on Fisker, it rides of a lot more on the Volt, which has much more of the spotlight. If the Volt fails it'll be a huge blow to the PHEV movement, unless Toyota really steps in to offer an alternative.

Of course though lots of electrically driven cars are planned to come out in 2010, more is always better in case a lot of the promises come out empty.

[Brandon @ Jul 17th 2008 1:45AM]

Ummmmm......can you say Maserati body styling, Looks like a damn 08 Gran Turismo

[Rick @ Jul 17th 2008 2:21AM]

Is it just me or does it look like it's grinning inanely? I wonder what it thinks is that funny?

[Jon @ Jul 17th 2008 2:51AM]

It's like the perfect combination of Aston and Ferrari.

[Pdexter @ Jul 17th 2008 4:40AM]

Suprised that people are liking it so much other car forums haven't exactly been so exited about it when it comes to looks.
I would take these car when it comes to looks before that Alfa's 8C, Aston Martin DB9, Lamborghini Miura, Ferrari 250 GTO and list goes on.

It's okish looking car, but good looking electric car IMO. Thought i'm happy they decided to come here Finland!

[jonlichman @ Jul 17th 2008 12:10PM]

It just looks like an ugly Mazda RX-8.

With teeth.

[Paul Dullford @ Jul 17th 2008 7:57AM]

Nice... Tesla's facing some serious competition (in addition to the heap of litigation they're already facing).

[Idlemind @ Jul 17th 2008 9:33AM]

if a Corvette and a Masarati had an electric baby....

[Michael @ Jul 17th 2008 10:00AM]

If it sold for $80k here in Britain (£40k), I'd buy one.

Personally I think it's better than the Tesla. Similar range on battery, but the Fisker also has an internal combustion engine that acts as a generator to supply the car with additional electrical energy. In short, If you need to travel further than the range of a full charge, you can. Add to this the fact that it looks stunning and also has FOUR doors, it's almost perfect. Whilst it's two seconds slower than the Tesla, six seconds to reach 60mph is still pretty good. Lets face it, how often do you need to reach 60mph in 4 seconds anyway.

[jake @ Jul 17th 2008 11:43PM]

By "similar range on battery" you mean much LESS range on battery right? The Fisker gets 50 miles. The Tesla roadster gets 220 miles. The next Tesla, the Model S is also 4 doors and will get 200+miles for $60k.

[Slim Daniels @ Jul 17th 2008 11:13AM]

NIIICE!

[Frankenstein Black @ Jul 17th 2008 12:15PM]

I see ya Fisker ;^)... Now don't forget (if you use engine sound pax) to "PAY ME FOR THE RHYMES YOU STOLE FROM ME". I ain't no troll but you best believe I'll come get ya...

[Frankenstein Black @ Jul 17th 2008 12:17PM]

I see ya Fisker ;^)... Now don't forget (if you use engine sound pax) to "PAY ME FOR THE RHYMES YOU STOLE FROM ME". I ain't no troll but you best believe I'll come get ya...

[Frankenstein Black @ Jul 17th 2008 12:18PM]

Sucks!

[Dan @ Jul 18th 2008 1:49PM]

I think almost everyone missed the point of this article, which was not about its appearance. Lots will like, lots won't. You could copy-and-paste most of the looks debate on a message board about any other car. (Well, maybe not the Pontiac Aztek...)

What the Americans should notice is that producing the car in Finland will make the car more expensive for the U.S. market, due to import costs and the crummy state of the USD. Europeans, on the other hand, should rejoice; local production.

Unless, of course, as some European automakers do, Fisker decides to price the car for the Americans in USD the same they do for Europeans in the Euro, thus making the Europeans pay 50% more for the car. And before you say that's preposterous, try pricing identical cars from the German manufacturers on a .de website vs. their US counterpart.