Fisker Karma Surf Shooting Brake

Search The Sport Wagon Enthusiast

SWGreen: Fisker Karma Surf Shooting Brake

Welcome to the future of the sport wagon. In addition to other emerging green technologies, such as diesel-hybrids and pure electric vehicles, the hybrid Fisker Karma offers practicality, performance, and efficiency for enthusiasts. With the recent announcement that Fisker will be selling the Karma in Europe, its no surprise the company is looking to offer a more practical model to appeal to European sensibility.

Featuring the same “Q-Drive” powertrain as the Karma, the Surf Concept features two rear-mounted 201 horsepower electric motors, and a 260 horsepower GM-sourced Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged four cylinder in the front. Like the Karma, the Surf is rear-wheel drive only, with the Ecotec powering a generator to recharge the batteries. The internal combustion engine never powers the wheels themselves, but the twin electric motors produce an insane 981 lb-ft of torque. The result is an impressive 100 MPG, with a purely electric range of 50 miles, and a combined range of 300 miles. But the Karma is no slouch, with Sport Mode engaged the hybrid can hit sixty in 5.9 seconds and reach a terminal velocity of 125 mph.

The Karma Surf may be a wagon, but with only 29 cu. ft. of storage room with the rear seats folded down, it has nearly 10 less cubic feet than Volvo V70R with its seats UP. For this reason, perhaps it is proper to call the Surf a shooting brake: more svelte style than practical substance.

Like all good sport wagons, the Surf features pragmatic roof rails for your…surfboard, obviously. An additional benefit is a longer roof, which allows the Surf to accommodate a larger solar panel. Upgrading from the sedan’s 120-watt panel, the 5-door offers a 133-watt unit, which Fisker claims will increase driving range by over 200 miles per year. Cool.

Penned by former BMW and Aston Martin designer Henry Fisker, the Karma 5-door is a voluptuous transport that makes the Alfa Romeo 159 Sport Wagon and the new 2012 Audi A6 Avant look downright pedestrian. With its wide rear and large hips, the Surf has more than just a passing resemblance with the new Ferrari FF. While the Karma sedan has been around for a couple of years, and we doubt the Surf was modeled after the FF, being compared to a 651-horsepower Ferrari Shooting Brake can only be a good thing.

With its utilitarian qualities, the Surf is expected to be the second Karma model to go into production, followed by the much-less practical Sunset Convertible. Expect the Surf to cost around $100,000 and be available sometime in 2013.

September 20th, 2011 (Source: Fisker Automotive)

Specifications

SWE Classification
Company Designation	Surf Concept
Engine	2.0L Ecotec I4 w/ 2 Electric Motors
Displacement
Aspiration	Turbocharged
Output/ Horsepower	403 horsepower @ 0 rpms (electic motors)
Torque	891 lb-ft @ 0 rpms
Drivetrain	Front-Engined, Rear-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Curb Weight
Weight Distribution
Drag
Brakes
Tires
Luggage Capacity (Seats up)
Luggage Capacity (Seats down)	29 cu. ft.
0-60	5.9 Seconds (In Sport Mode)
0-100
1/4 Mile
Top Speed	125 MPH
Production Run
MSRP	~ $100,000

Videos

Photos

Press Release

Frankfurt, Germany – September 13, 2011: Taking center stage at Fisker Automotive’s Frankfurt Show stand is a stunning new version of the Fisker Karma—the Fisker Surf—a new model that delivers on Fisker’s promise of Pure Driving Passion and Uncompromised

Responsible Luxury. But that’s not the only news from the environmentally responsible American Car Company:

FISKER SURF

The new Fisker Surf is the world’s first electric luxury/sports automobile for an active and eco-friendly lifestyle. The Fisker Surf builds on the success of the ground-breaking Karma Electric Vehicle with extended range (EVer™) by adding additional, flexible load-carrying

capability, along with a spirited new attitude all its own. Fisker Surf combines performance, luxury, style, utility, and economy with an enduring concern for the sustainable use of resources and respect for our natural environment. As a global company Fisker Automotive will

offer the Surf in all its markets around the world for the 2013 model year. The Surf is Fisker’s vision of a crossover between a sport car and a station wagon and shows how Fisker is expanding its Karma platform rapidly with additional models that again create a new market

niche.

“The Surf is a first-of-its-kind eco-friendly lifestyle vehicle that offers space, performance and luxury design for people who live an active, environmentally conscious lifestyle and like to drive beautiful cars,” Henrik Fisker, CEO/Executive Design Director, Fisker Automotive.

NEW SUPPLIER

Fisker Automotive recently announced the signing of an agreement with BMW that will cover the supply of engines and other components for future Fisker models. BMW will supply a four-cylinder turbocharged engine for the next generation of Fisker cars, code-named

‘Project Nina’, which are scheduled to go into production in the re-commissioned former GM plant in Wilmington, Delaware at the end of 2012 and be on sale globally in 2013. The first ‘Project Nina’ derivative will be a mid-size premium sedan utilizing Fisker’s EVer™

technology to deliver on Fisker’s corporate vision of Uncompromised Responsible Luxury.

Henrik Fisker, comments; “The BMW engine was an obvious choice for us, as BMW is known for producing the best and most fuel efficient gasoline engines in the world. We are very pleased to have signed this agreement with BMW."

CEC VEHICLE

Fisker Automotive is proud to announce its RESERVE customizable options program. This exclusive Fisker authorized accessory program will be available through Fisker retailers. The first display car from the program, created in collaboration with Claus Ettensberger

Corporation (CEC), offers a variety of aerodynamic components and two wheel options (forged and monoblock) for the Karma with many new exciting products in development.

FISKER KARMA

The Fisker Karma Sedan, Fisker Automotive’s first production car, is a luxury electric vehicle with extended range (EVer), representing the company’s firm belief that environmentally conscious cars need not sacrifice passion, style, or performance. The Fisker Karma has a

total of 403 HP with a torque of 981lb./ft. (1300 Nm) at zero rpm. With a total range of 300 miles (483 km), 50 miles in its pure electric mode and 250 miles with the anxiety-free range-extender. The Fisker Karma can also achieve up to 100 mpg (2.4 L/100 km) with just

83g CO₂/km on an annual basis. In sport mode, the top speed of the Fisker Karma is 125 mph and with a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. Prices start at €85.500 - €98.900 Euros/ $95,900 - $108,900 USD.

ABOUT FISKER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

Fisker Automotive is an American car company, founded in 2007, committed to producing electric vehicles with extended range (EVer) that deliver Uncompromised Responsible Luxury™. The Fisker Karma Sedan is the world’s first premium electric plug-in hybrid

representing the company’s firm belief that environmentally conscious cars need not sacrifice passion, style, or performance. Fisker Automotive is a global company that is redefining luxury for the modern sports car buyer. For more information on the brand and the Fisker

Karma sedan, please go to http://fiskerautomotive.com.

The Sport Wagon Enthusiast

Utilitarian Peformance