Fisker Karma Test Drive around Santa Monica [video]

Take a drive in the 2012 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid with professional driver Kyle Shields.

Borrowed from the Fisker Santa Monica dealership, Shields explains the appeal of the car while driving the streets of Los Angeles.

Fisker began deliveries of the car last month. The 2012 Karma is powered by a 20kW lithium-ion battery which sends current to two electric motors that develop a total of 408 PS (300 kW / 402 hp) and 1,300 Nm (959 lb/ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h is achieved in 5.9 seconds, while top speed is 200 km/h (124 mph).

The plug-in Karma can travel up to 80.5 km (50 miles) on electricity alone. A turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine acts as a generator to recharge the battery, extending the range up to 483 km (300 miles). Average fuel consumption is 2.4 liters/100km (98 mpg US) and CO2 emissions are just 83 g/km.