Fisker Karma to make driving debut at Monterey Historics

The Monterey Historic Automobile Races will include a glimpse of the near-future when the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sedan makes its public driving debut Aug. 15.

The event is another milestone in the Karma’s dash from concept to production in 19 months. It was first shown at the Detroit auto show in 2008 and is due on the market at the end of this year.

A Karma prototype will make two laps at the 11-turn Laguna Seca course.

The eye-catching sedan is the work of Henrik Fisker, a former BMW and Aston Martin designer and the frontman of Fisker Automotive.

The Karma can drive 50 miles on a charge using its lithium-ion battery pack and has a total range of 300 miles when employing an on-board generator powered by a 260-hp Ecotec General Motors engine.

It will also be able to hit 60 mph in less than six seconds and will carry a sticker of $87,900.

The Karma will also be on display at the Concourso Italiano Aug. 14 with the Karma Sunset convertible concept. The Sunset will again be shown at the Pebble Beach concours that weekend.

By Greg Migliore