Consumer Reports is not recommending the high-end extended range electric Fisker Karma.
In fact, the auto division of Consumer Reports says the Karma is full
of flaws including a "badly-designed touch-screen system makes the dash
controls an ergonomic disaster." The Karma score of 57 out of a
possible 100 makes it among the poorest performing vehicles of the 311
reviewed by Consumer Reports.
This
is the latest black eye for the Karma, a $107,000 luxury EV that has
faced delays, a battery recall and scathing criticism for Fisker taking a
$529 million loan from the Federal government to develop the Karma and
then building the car in Finland. The company says it eventually plans
to build vehicles in the United States. Since last December, Fisker has
sold more then 1,000 Karma models.
It's
hard to see the reputation of the Karma substantially improving after
reading Consumer Reports take on the luxury EV. CR says "Despite the
car's huge dimensions, it's very cramped inside. The over complicated
controls are frustrating and it's hard to see out. When it's running,
the gasoline engine has an unrefined roar. And the Karma's heavy weight
affects agility and performance, as the Karma lacks the oomph you
expect."
Fisker
responded to criticism of the Karma interior space saying, "As the Karma
is a concept car come to life, packaging and visibility will of course
not be that of a minivan."
As
for mileage, CR says the Karma delivers 66 MPG on a full charge, but
just 22 MPG when running only on premium gas. On Monday afternoon Fisker
said that using EPA methodology the Karma already exceeds the 2025 fuel
economy standards for vehicles in its class.
Read more: http://www.cnbc.com/id/49159024
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