By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

I’ve never been to the LA Auto Show, and I’m pretty pumped. Total bonus? Since it’s being held at the Convention Center—just a few blocks from the office—I don’t have to get on a airplane, and more importantly, I don’t have to face my inevitable, deeply ingrained fear that I’ve left some essential piece of equipment or its power cord sitting 1000 miles away on my desk. Obviously, there’s going to be plenty of totally trick hardware on the floor, but I’m particularly stoked to see Fisker’s Karma—the dead-sexy plug in hybrid that’s giving Maserati’s Quatroporte body image issues—in person. And I’m also curious to get some face time with the ’10 Dodge Viper ACR, Toyota’s Sienna, Honda’s Personal-Neo Urban Transport, and BMW’s Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, which is pictured below. Nads and I will be pushing up content as soon as we get in the door, so stay tuned, and let us know if there’s anything you want to see.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Fisker isn’t messing around. In addition to the Karma four door and convertible models, they are now looking to build a low cost, mass market plug-in hybrid. Fisker has applied for a Department of Energy grant, and if the request goes through, they are gunning to bring this new vehicle to market in 29 months. Via Autoblog

By Jim Brennan

UDMan

While this isn’t a new debut here at the New York International Auto Show, I thought it was worth taking a look at the models they are currently offering. Fisker claims that these cars will run 100 MPG, and they already have more than 1,000 orders, with a starting price of around $89,000. They may not achieve 100MPG, but they do look very good in person, with a uniquely styled interior and exquisite paint. More pics after the jump.

Continue reading "NYIAS: the Fisker Karma" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Fisker pulled the wraps off this beautiful hybrid convertible yesterday in Detroit. No pricing info was given, but it was shown alongside the Karma S four door sedan, which goes for $87,900 (or $80,400 after US government tax credits). This was the first time I could get photos without it being completely mobbed. More pics and the press release after the jump!

Continue reading "Fisker Karma S Convertible at NAIAS" »

Apparently, US service people aren’t allowed to have any booze when deployed in a combat zone. But according to the German defense ministry, a million liters of alcohol—mostly beer—have been sent to its soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. Now that’s what I call supporting the troops! Anyway, here’s the news:

• Will Obama appoint a "Car Czar?" Given the importance of the domestic auto industry, it’s not a bad idea. And while I’m not a fan of Thomas Friedman—life sure is easy when your wife is loaded—I liked his idea about letting Steve Jobs run GM. But why not let Jobs supervise the whole show? Nowadays, cars are basically just rolling computers anyway. Detroit News
• Here’s a headline for you: "GM Asks Employees to Beg Congress for Money." It’s accurate, and as a fan of the General, I have to say it hurts a little. But how about looking at the bright side? "Ain’t too proud to beg" actually has a pretty nice ring to it. I can see the ad spots already… Wired
• Tesla, the company struggling to prove its Roadster isn’t vaporware, left Detroit a month ago. But guess which company is getting ready to set up show in the Motor City? Yup, arch-rival and recent court foe Fisker. Will it have better luck? New York Times
• The market sucks, everybody is worried about losing their jobs, and its stock is in the toilet, but the Blue Oval is coming out swinging with a bevy of new models. Given the hot little rides it already sells across the pond, Henry’s company could hit the ground running. Motor Authority

A new rental agency in California is gearing up to rent out hybrid cars, ranging from the Prius to the GMC Yukon, with plans to add the more novel Tesla, Fisker, and Volt once they can get their hands on some. Eqocar‘s rates aren’t too much higher than those of regular rental agencies, but like they say, you can’t put a price on smug. Plus if could provide an easy means to test-drive a Fisker, wouldn’t you do it?

Via Edmunds

My grandmother loved to drive. Way back in the ’20s, she was the first woman on her street to get a license. But when she decided she wasn’t safe behind the wheel, she sold her Buick, and everyone in the family was really proud of her. So I have to hand it to this English chap who just made the same decision.  You have to admit, 76 years without an accident is pretty impressive. And the wreck which prompted his retirement? Well, that was pretty impressive too. Here’s the news:

• Oil is now $113 a barrel, which is a new record. Of course, the rising prices don’t have as much to do with oil production as they do with the fact that the dollar is in the toilet. Auto Observer
• Ma Mopar is in talks with Fiat—which owns Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati—to produce Alfa-branded cars in US factories. So I know a cheap, Italian-designed, RWD, 2+2 is out of the question, but I that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop begging for one. Automotive News
• In other Italian news, Ferrari race cars will no longer wear Marlborough livery, as it turns out there are only three countries—Bahrain, Monaco and China—that still allow tobacco ads on race cars. I have to wonder, how long will it be before tobacco companies become invisible? AutoWeek
• John McCain wants the Big Three to take care of themselves. If he becomes president, there won’t be any bailout. Strange… it’d seem like someone so eager to go to war would want to keep some heavy industry Stateside. Detroit News
• The folks at Tesla are busy trying to shake the perception that the Roadster is vaporware—for the record, I think it’s not—but that hasn’t stopped them from suing Henrik Fisker. They say his ultra-gorgeous Karma is a direct competitor to the sedan he designed for the California company. Wired

Magnum PI’s Ferrari 308 was the first super cool car I can remember seeing on the tube, so I’d like to wish a happy birthday to actor Tom Selleck, who was born on this day back in 1945. His mustache was born approximately 13 years later. Here’s the news:

• Is GM still the largest automaker? That’s the question which has been rattling around automotive sites lately, and it might surprise you to see who answered no. Automotive News
• Delphi execs won’t be getting such large bonuses this year, because the company just took a big chunk out of their bonus fund. Don’t worry, there’s still 132 million in there. Detroit News
• Bob Lutz posted a picture of a ZR1 done up in Michigan State Police livery, and it looks pretty tough. If they made these standard issue, recruitment dollars could be used to beef up the donut budget. GM Fast Lane
• Fisker’s plug-in hybrid was easily the sexiest thing at NAIAS, and there are rumors it might even be built in Detroit. Wired

Don’t let that toothily grinning shark-mouth charm you: the Fisker Karma might have the roguish looks of a high-horsepower luxury sedan, but it in fact belongs to the tread-lightly school of super-attractive performance green cars that’re turning out in droves at Detroit this year. A center-mounted Li Ion battery pack supplies the Karma’s power until it reaches the end of its 50-mile range; then an efficient 4-cylinder kicks in to pick up the slack. Alternately, the electric and gas motors can be run in concert for peak performance. What kind of performance? Fisker’s promising 0-60 in just under 6, and a top speed of 125 mph. This 100-mpg beauty can be had for $80,000 to $100,000, and is purported to be availabe in 2009. More at Left Lane News.