First shown at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, the Fisker Karma has led a typical life for a performance plug-in hybrid concept: delays followed by reassurances, followed by more delays. Originally to be in production and on sale by late 2009, the car will finally start rolling down the line in March according to an Orange County dealer.
Fisker of Orange County, based in Irvine, California, announced the production date this week. As the cars will be built by Valmet in Finland, the first deliveries won't arrive until about a month later, in April. According to Fisker OC, "improvements are still being produced for [the Karma's] public unveiling."
The news confirms earlier word from Fisker itself, though official missives from Russell Datz, Fisker's communications chief, were careful to leave a window of dates ranging from late February to April for test drive opportunities and first deliveries.
Pricing for the Karma will start from $95,900, about $16,000 more than first expected and $7,900 more than the initial MSRP announced in 2009. With the $7,500 federal tax incentive, however, the final price of the Karma checks in at $88,400. Though it's a steep entry into the world of luxury/performance hybrids, there's likely to be no shortage of buyers for the sleek green sedan.
Read on for more coverage of the Karma.
