The 2012 Fisker Karma is officially rated by the EPA at 52 MPGe and 20 miles per gallon when its battery runs out of juice. In addition, the plug-in boasts 32 miles of electric-only range. Though these numbers can feel disappointing, there’s a reason for the Karma’s less than stellar EPA numbers. 5,300 reasons, to be exact.
When the Karma pulls onto the scales, the readout of 5,300 pounds is, well, accurate. In fact, the Karma makes the porky 3,755-pound Chevrolet Volt (as weighed by Car And Driver) seem like a true lightweight.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s the battery or the fuel tank that’s providing the power, weight always reduces efficiency. In the end, at $95,900, the Karma is priced in a league all its own, and we doubt that many buyers will think twice about how much more efficient the Karma could have been. This thing’s got other reasons for existing, like trying to make “green” stylish.
[This post has been changed since publication.]
