A new player enters the hybrid game.

Fisker Automotive was a relatively unheard of company until they made the news by entering a plug-in hybrid in the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The "Fisker Karma" is really the only competition for the fairly well known Tesla Roadster. It incorporates both and electric engine, as well four cylinder, turbocharged engine imported from GM. Release of a finished product has already been pushed back from 2009 to late 2010, but I don't think that will discourage buyers. With an $87,000 price tag it won't be cheap, but it might be and option for someone looking to buy an expensive car instead of a Porsche or BMW. The Karma has two settings, Stealth and Sport. Stealth utilizes only the electric engine and is perfect for city driving. The Sport setting uses both the electric engine as well as the gasoline engine to up the performance. In "Sport", the Fisker Karma can reach speeds of 60 mph in under 6 seconds and has a top speed of over 125 mph. The Karma has "regenerative breaks", which apparently have the "ability to recapture breaking energy" to ensure the car always can stop efficiently. That sounds like a big promise to fulfill, but apparently it's possible. Fisker's automobile also has a climate control system that uses a full length solar roof to keep the car at a certain temperature while parked. A big selling point that the Karma has over other hybrids or fully electric vehicles is that it is a sedan. It has usable backseat space whether you use it for people or stuff. It also has an amazing aerodynamic design that makes it extremely eye catching and interesting to look at. Fisker made good choices designing all aspects of the Karma and I imagine it will pay off for them.