While the Fisker Karma sports sleek lines and daring proportions, the downside to the plug-in hybrid sedan’s show car styling is a subcompact-sized interior with trunk space to match. Fisker is looking to remedy the latter deficiency with a shooting brake variant, the Surf, which will make its first appearance in production form at the Paris Motor Show in September.
Introduced as a concept at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Surf features a flowing, continuous roofline that shelters an ample cargo area. Sculpted rear fenders wrap around to a liftgate with an integrated LED brake light and roof spoiler, and the car’s grille features a honeycomb pattern unique to the Surf. Other features only found on the Surf include new 22-inch wheels, a standard panoramic sunroof and bright orange Brembo brake calipers.
After its debut at the Paris show, GTSpirit reports that the Surf will make its way to showrooms in late 2012 or early 2013. Fisker hasn’t announced pricing details just yet, but figure a slight increase over the $102,000 commanded by the Karma.
Hybrid Powertrain
Like the Karma sedan, the Surf is powered by two electric motors and also has a GM-sourced, direct-injected and turbocharged four-cylinder with 260 horsepower that acts as a range extender.
The Surf can be optimized for performance or efficiency with Sport and Stealth drive modes. In Sport mode, full power is available and the driver can command an impressive 981 lb-ft of torque. The Surf will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds according to Fisker, and can achieve an electronically limited top speed of 125 mph. In the default Stealth mode, calibrated for efficiency, the Surf uses only battery power and accelerates from 0-60 in 7.9 seconds, while top speed is 95 mph. Under normal driving conditions, battery power alone can power the Surf for about 50 miles in Stealth mode. After that the gasoline engine/generator and 9.5 gallon fuel tank provide another 250 miles of range, for a grand total of 300 miles.
Live photos by Mark Elias
