Karma -vs- Model S

[doug]

Fisker Karma vs. Tesla Model S

I figured launching the Model S with a 300 mile range would woo some Karma customers. Will they be willing to wait an extra year for it...

[Eberhard]

as long as the karma does not hit the road, everything is hypothetical. I would not wonder if Model S would be first.

[doug]

Sure. Things can always change. The Karma has already been pushed back a few times. Of course at some point "Whitestar" was supposed to come out in 2010 or thereabouts. I'll be happy to see them both succeed (though I'm definitely a Model S fan).

[smorgasbord]

as long as the karma does not hit the road, everything is hypothetical. I would not wonder if Model S would be first.

Yeah, MotorAuthority.com calls Fisker's dates "a running joke." It's already, what, on a 2 year delay?

I know someone who has a Karma on order. He has what he calls a "supposedly firm date" in this fall for the build, and then delivery is 4-6 weeks later (probably slow boats from Finland). He's very excited about it.

BTW, have you'all seen what the rear seats look like?


That big tunnel between the seats reminds me of the Hummer H1:


Guess that's what happens when you have batteries and a gas engine and still want a trunk.

[tdelta1000]

There are some good points and concerns but the Karma still continues to get pushed back. I can see why people are comparing the Model S to the Karma because of the batteries but the S does not have a "generator".

I see the Model S being a bet more successful then the Karma because of the management team, the strong partnerships and the drive train technology. I guess to each is own.

[doug]

Guess that's what happens when you have batteries and a gas engine and still want a trunk.

I don't see any reason they couldn't also have a flat pack. If not Model S flat, at least Leaf or even Coda style "flat", especially since they put the exhaust up front. I think it's lack of imagination on Quantum's part; they're just following GM's packaging. But at least GM managed to route the Volt's exhaust to the rear and have enough space for an adequate muffler.

[richkae]

Three different cars in three completely different classes:
The Roadster is a 2 seat, near zero luggage car.
The Fisker is a 4 seat, near zero luggage car.
The Model S is a 5+ seat car with tons of cargo volume.

Several folks I have tried to talk into getting an EV were interested in Fisker until they discovered it didn't have the utility they needed.
Price, performance, range, operating cost are all moot at that point.

[doug]

That big tunnel between the seats reminds me of the Hummer H1:

Isn't that where you're supposed to mount the turret?

[dpeilow]

Rust already?

[stopcrazypp]

I don't see any reason they couldn't also have a flat pack. If not Model S flat, at least Leaf or even Coda style "flat", especially since they put the exhaust up front. I think it's lack of imagination on Quantum's part; they're just following GM's packaging. But at least GM managed to route the Volt's exhaust to the rear and have enough space for an adequate muffler.

I think the Karma is about the height of the 911 (~52 inches). With a "flat" pack, it'll probably make the already meager headroom even worse. By comparison the Model S is 58 inches in height, 6 inches taller, which is more than enough to fit the flat pack.