Fisker Karma gets its EPA numbers

[PatQ562]

As one commenter said, fully electric cars are fundamentally simple. A motor (mature technology), a controller (no longer exotic) and a battery pack (which is the one big concern). A competitive hybrid vehicle requires mastery of today's amazingly sophisticated gasoline engine, PLUS you take on the added complexities of the electric half, with the added challenge of setting up charge and assist behaviors. Not an easy matter, even for world-class companies. Breaking into the market with an electric car is not easy. It's ten times harder if there's gasoline involved.

Pat Q

[Ken Fry]

Originally Posted by PatQ562

It's ten times harder if there's gasoline involved.

Yes, we who work with hybrids are widely recognized as gods (or half a bubble off level).

[SEGsby]

Fisker Karma blamed for Texas home fire:

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...home-on-fire/1

[Ken Fry]

Originally Posted by SEGsby

Fisker Karma blamed for Texas home fire:

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...home-on-fire/1

OK, so its hideously overweight, gets substantially fewer miles per kilowatt than any electric sedan in history, goes half as far as a Chevy Volt on a gallon of gas, can't make it through a Consumer Reports test without freezing up, is slower than a V6 Camry, is powered by a recalled battery pack, and causes your house to catch on fire.

Big deal... it comes in a couple nice colors. What more could you want?

[c0mp13x]

Wow... can you believe Fiskar's defensive spin?!

Fisker added that "we have not ruled out possible fraud or malicious intent" and cited fire hazards in the garage.

Let's see... I have a Mercedes and a NSX in the garage, let's try and make the Fiskar burn so we can sue!! Haha. Fiskar's response will not win them any new customers.

Then, spin quote #2: "fire hazards in the garage" you mean like trash and boxes? They haven't seen my garage for sure!

[PatQ562]

The first run of EV-1's caused several severe garage fires due to onboard components in the overly complex inductive charger system. GM basically kept the lid on, recalled the first run, and fixed the problem on the second run, but this was probably some of the background to their decision to limit sales and recall all the vehicles at the end of the lease period.

We've had >100 years to get comfortable keeping vehicles with tanks of flammable gas in our garages (and we have the building codes to match).

Pat Q

[smilingcat]

Maybe they need to rename it from Fiskar Karma to BAD BAD karma.

So what did the owners of Fiskar Karma company do in their previous life to deserve this? Enquireing mind wants to know

Really though, this is sad and why so many problems. As an engineer, I would usually tell the guys to go break it! before we put it out onto the market.

[PatQ562]

There's a reason why the big companies spend the better part of a BILLION dollars (yes, "billion with a B") developing a new platform. Fisker took on every possible challenge, from the hybrid engineering to the luxury appointments. A modern full-service car is not for the lightly financed.

The start-up's only hope is a tightly focused machine for a niche market that is willing to accept major simplifications to get the main attribute they want - like dune buggies, dirt bikes, ATV's, Atoms, kit-car Speedsters, etc. Aptera was on that path but got overly ambitious even under Team A who wanted it to be a fully equipped "non penalty" car. In my opinion, they could have reached their fan base with a highly efficient but simple machine, that would still be pleasant to drive because of the inherent smoothness and response of an electric power train. The Gen 2 could provide more amenities. This is all spilt milk of course.

Pat Q

[SEGsby]

Fisker Karma to blame for Garage Fire? *Additional Info*

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/f...fire-in-texas/

"When contacted for comment, Fisker's response was to tell AutoWeek not to jump to any conclusions: "There are conflicting reports and uncertainty surrounding this particular incident. The cause of the fire is not yet known and is being investigated."

The automaker then went on to speculate about "fraud or malicious intent," stating that "fireworks were found in the garage" and that "an electrical panel located in the garage... is also being examined," according to the report. Fisker also told AW that it believes the car's battery pack "does not appear to have been a contributing factor in this incident."

[Ken Fry]

Originally Posted by SEGsby

"The cause of the fire is not yet known and is being investigated."

Ya gotta wonder: why not just leave it at that?

Fraud, malicious intent, fireworks, an electrical panel, cars containing flammable liquids... one of those had to be the problem. Sure.

It is as if Fisker is really pulling out the stops to show just how poorly they can handle PR. Blame everyone and everything else first, then find the real cause.

I hope there was not too much damage to the NSX.