Comments on: Karma Birth Watch 1: Finlandia http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/ The Truth About Cars is dedicated to providing candid, unbiased automobile reviews and the latest in auto industry news. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:49:46 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: folkdancer http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-601002 folkdancer Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:54:00 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-601002 How many computer companies were there in the 1970's? The big guys (IBM, Wang, DEC) were tired and didn't understand what was happening. Who knew that in 30 years we could buy more power in a $1,000 PC than was in a 1970's million dollar mainframe? Many of the 1970's computer companies failed but the ones that succeeded have given us a great economic and social ride. Watching these new car ideas is fun. In 30 years we might be "driving" 300 kilometers per hour on computer controlled roadways in cars with body panels made of silicone treated cheese cloth and using as much power as our flat screen TV. Oil will be used for making suppositories. And we will buy our cars from Amazon.com. How many computer companies were there in the 1970’s? The big guys (IBM, Wang, DEC) were tired and didn’t understand what was happening. Who knew that in 30 years we could buy more power in a $1,000 PC than was in a 1970’s million dollar mainframe? Many of the 1970’s computer companies failed but the ones that succeeded have given us a great economic and social ride.

Watching these new car ideas is fun. In 30 years we might be “driving” 300 kilometers per hour on computer controlled roadways in cars with body panels made of silicone treated cheese cloth and using as much power as our flat screen TV. Oil will be used for making suppositories. And we will buy our cars from Amazon.com.

]]> By: Bozoer Rebbe http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-600811 Bozoer Rebbe Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:59:20 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-600811 Quantum is the key to Fisker's success. They already produce a hybrid drivetrain for military vehicles, which will speed development of the Karma. Quantum is the key to Fisker’s success. They already produce a hybrid drivetrain for military vehicles, which will speed development of the Karma.

]]> By: 50merc http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-599892 50merc Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:10:42 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-599892 The styling of that car looks like it's designed for five second 0-60, and 160 mph. How long before battery recharging under those conditions? The styling of that car looks like it’s designed for five second 0-60, and 160 mph. How long before battery recharging under those conditions?

]]> By: geggamoya http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-599762 geggamoya Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:47:06 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-599762 I heard this on the radio on my way to work this morning. The Valmet Automotive spokeschap did seem somewhat realistic, pretty much saying that <i>if</i> this thing works out it will be good for the company. Still, it <i>would</i> be nice it it worked out. I guess we'll see in time. I heard this on the radio on my way to work this morning. The Valmet Automotive spokeschap did seem somewhat realistic, pretty much saying that if this thing works out it will be good for the company. Still, it would be nice it it worked out. I guess we’ll see in time.

]]> By: blowfish http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-599451 blowfish Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:17:09 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-599451 The achilles tendon for all EVs are batteries so we need to vait , just like Helicopters were figured out few hundred yrs ago by Michael Angelo ( or some one else ? correct me if wrong) But no suitable engines. It needs power of 8 guys but keep adding more folks it can never get off the ground. Something need the power of 8 person but 1/2 the wt or even less. Until few hundred yrs later a thing call Internal combustion engine were invented. The achilles tendon for all EVs are batteries so we need to vait , just like Helicopters were figured out few hundred yrs ago by Michael Angelo ( or some one else ? correct me if wrong)
But no suitable engines. It needs power of 8 guys but keep adding more folks it can never get off the ground. Something need the power of 8 person but 1/2 the wt or even less.
Until few hundred yrs later a thing call Internal combustion engine were invented.

]]> By: guyincognito http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-598911 guyincognito Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:01:04 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-598911 Although Fisker's <strike>pipe dream</strike> business plan is rather bold, it does seem much more realistic than Tesla's. On the Fisker Automotive website they set the target price at $80K with an electric only range of 50 miles and a 0-60 time of less than 6 seconds. The most dubious claim is the 15K/year production run and the 2010 launch date. Ok, actually the 2010 launch date is pure fantasy. Otherwise, I believe Fisker can produce a limited number of vehicles that meet his targets. Whether those will be able to compete with the plethora of plug in hybrids that will be available from trusted manufacturers for a fraction of the price, by the time the Karma actually hits the streets, is another question entirely. Although Fisker’s pipe dream business plan is rather bold, it does seem much more realistic than Tesla’s. On the Fisker Automotive website they set the target price at $80K with an electric only range of 50 miles and a 0-60 time of less than 6 seconds. The most dubious claim is the 15K/year production run and the 2010 launch date. Ok, actually the 2010 launch date is pure fantasy. Otherwise, I believe Fisker can produce a limited number of vehicles that meet his targets. Whether those will be able to compete with the plethora of plug in hybrids that will be available from trusted manufacturers for a fraction of the price, by the time the Karma actually hits the streets, is another question entirely.

]]> By: offroadinfrontier http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-598622 offroadinfrontier Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:59:07 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-598622 From the side, it's hard to tell if it's a goofy-looking sexy sedan, or a sexy-looking goofy sedan... From the side, it’s hard to tell if it’s a goofy-looking sexy sedan, or a sexy-looking goofy sedan…

]]> By: suspekt http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-598522 suspekt Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:35:19 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-598522 Check out his relationship with Quantum Technologies, a key partner in his venture to build this vehicle. http://www.qtww.com/products/fisker/fisker.php I try not to be, but i am absolutely in love with the design and 'idea' of this car. Raj Check out his relationship with Quantum Technologies, a key partner in his venture to build this vehicle.

http://www.qtww.com/products/fisker/fisker.php

I try not to be, but i am absolutely in love with the design and ‘idea’ of this car.

Raj

]]> By: Pat Holliday http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-598232 Pat Holliday Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:35:16 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-598232 I don't get how no-one has pulled up Fisker on the claims for this car, certainly not in the way Tesla have been hauled over the coals. A large 2+2 sedan, 0-60 in the blink of an eye, Maserati styling, an electric-gas drivetrain (a la Volt?) and about $60k asking price. Not that Fisker hasn't styled some nice cars in his time, but come on..? Talk is cheap. I don’t get how no-one has pulled up Fisker on the claims for this car, certainly not in the way Tesla have been hauled over the coals.

A large 2+2 sedan, 0-60 in the blink of an eye, Maserati styling, an electric-gas drivetrain (a la Volt?) and about $60k asking price.

Not that Fisker hasn’t styled some nice cars in his time, but come on..?

Talk is cheap.

]]> By: Frank Williams http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-598182 Frank Williams Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:21:12 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-598182 <em>AKM I think it’s the 6-series.</em> Fixed. Thanks. AKM
I think it’s the 6-series.

Fixed. Thanks.

]]> By: beetlebug http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-598111 beetlebug Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:14:28 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-598111 Yes, it is the 6 series and the company that does that is officially "Fisker Coachbuild". "Fisker Automotive" was created for the electric car nonsense. Yes, it is the 6 series and the company that does that is officially “Fisker Coachbuild”. “Fisker Automotive” was created for the electric car nonsense.

]]> By: AKM http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-598072 AKM Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:04:19 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-598072 <em>BMW 8-Series</em> I think it's the 6-series. BMW 8-Series

I think it’s the 6-series.

]]> By: sean362880 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-597822 sean362880 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:36:08 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-597822 It might be comparing hybrid apples to electric oranges, but I reckon Fisker will beat Tesla to production as well. Fisker has actually built cars before! It might be comparing hybrid apples to electric oranges, but I reckon Fisker will beat Tesla to production as well. Fisker has actually built cars before!

]]> By: Antone http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/karma-birth-watch-1-finlandia/comment-page-1/#comment-597711 Antone Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:23:03 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56401#comment-597711 IPO? IPO?

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