Performance Review: Fisker Karma Hybrid - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Fisker Karma Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Fisker Karma Hybrid is the 1 speed / - version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Fisker Karma has a 1998cc Turbo Hybrid powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Hybrid St4's includes the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L

The Karma shares its Hybrid St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L and the If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Karma's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2400 kgs (5291 lbs) this makes the Fisker Karma Hybrid in the same weight category as the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Fisker Karma shares the same bhp with the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 402 bhp (299 kW) @ 1 rpm similar to the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 981 lb-ft (1330.0 Nm) @ 1 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2018 SSC Tuatara 5.9 V8 Twin Turbo 91 Octane (984 lb-ft) or the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8 (972 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Fisker Karma you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS (192.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fisker Karma.

The Fisker Karma has a Power to weight ratio of 167.5 bhp per ton and 408.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 Karma competing with the 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS (192.5 bhp per ton) or the 1963 Aston-Martin DB5 1963 (192.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Fisker Karma generating around 408.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2003 Pagani Zonda Roadster (432.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1997 Nissan R390 3.5L V8 (428.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Fisker Karma Hybrid as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Fisker Karma Hybrid is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Karma and the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel

When talking about the performance of the Fisker Karma on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.46 secs @ 94.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel (14.41 secs), the 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS (14.42 secs), and the 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (14.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the Fisker Karma Hybrid has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 Karma equals the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid then how about the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (136 mph), or the 1992 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo (136 mph).

Related Links:

2011 Karma Rivals List.

A Brief History of Fisker

Car Comparison