While doing research on my last post “Karma and Gratitude,” I ran across a new hybrid vehicle from Fisker Automotive, the Fisker Karma. In a word, it’s magnificent. I’m a car guy at heart, but have always gravitated towards muscle cars. Like others, I assumed we’d have to wait a while for a plug-in hybrid with even a hint of the performance specs to rival cars like the Camaro, Challenger or Mustang.

So, what can the Fisker Karma do? The brochure claims, “100 MPG ACHIEVABLE. 403 HORSEPOWER.” It goes on to say “At Fisker Automotive, we are creating environmentally conscious vehicles that deliver style, passion and performance.” The performance specs are: Top Speed of 125 mph and 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds in Sport Mode (combines the power of a Lithium-ion battery and an internal combustion engine). That’s with a total range of 250 Miles.

By comparison, a base V6 Challenger has a top speed of 117 and does 0-60 in 8.1 seconds, with 250 horsepower and 18/27 mpg. Not too shabby. While I’ve driven neither, the numbers are close enough to suggest that the Karma does have some power. Unfortunately, it starts at $95,900, while a Challenger starts around $25,000. What’s the tax credit on the hybrid cars these days? I’ll take four Challengers in assorted colors please!

Fisker Automotive is directed by Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler, who share over 51 years of combined experience in the automotive world. They joined forces as Fisker Coachbuild in 2005, a venture which saw the team reviving the lost art of coachbuilding, designing custom automobiles to customer specifications. The duo led teams that utilized powertrains and chassis from other luxury European manufacturers until 2007 when they founded Fisker Automotive, a true automobile manufacturer which introduced the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Fisker Karma. Sounds good to me, but $100,000, really?

I’m a sucker for great design (just ask Steve Jobs), but the price seems a little excessive to me. But damn it looks so good. (Must win lottery or find a hoard of cash laying around somewhere!). Anyway, for more information, visit www.fiskerautomotive.com.