The forthcoming Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sports car will be able to drive 50 miles on the electricity it gets from your home outlet, but after the batteries are depleted it will use a 2.0-liter Ecotec engine from General Motors to recharge the cells, the company has announced.
Typically rated at 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, it’s unclear if the engine will be detuned or otherwise modified to reduce its fuel consumption. It’s not that four-banger is particularly fuel thirsty, but rather we fail to see why such a powerful engine is needed, unless it’s the only way to provide quick enough charging.
In any case, it’s good news for GM to have one of its products associated with a car like this, and it’s good news for Fisker because it has partnered with an automaker that has the means to provide it with more units can it sell.
Fisker recently announced a deal with Valmet Automotive to build the Karma in Finland. Valmet also builds the Porsche Boxster and Cayman.



11/21, 4:29 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
Very interesting.
Wonder why their not using a Toyota or Honda engine…
11/21, 4:40 PM
posted by:
atoms
im guessing the ecotec is used due to its power output, at 260hp and lb/ft through a generator that is say 80% efficient to recharge the batteries the power levels would be around the equivalent of 208hp and torque but in electric form powering the motor, allowing similar power levels during full electric mode. or cause the engine is cheaper then other 2.0’s out there
11/21, 4:43 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
I would love to read the contract between the two parties as I am sure therein is an exit cause. This does look good in Washington to show that others have faith in GM, but realistically Fisker will not hang itself should GM not be around as provisions have surely been made for another substitute.
11/21, 4:43 PM
posted by:
atoms
then again i know very little about electric circuits, feel free to correct me if I’m wrong on my theory
11/21, 4:43 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
“Wonder why their not using a Toyota or Honda engine…”
Because maybe they want one that’s actually reliable??? The eco-tec is the most advanced, most powerful and definitely the most reliable 4-cylinder engine available today. It’s an obvious choice.
11/21, 4:50 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
jayjc08, did you have to toss him such a softball?
11/21, 4:53 PM
posted by:
Borat
Die already die! I hate to pay for your salary all while you posting here!
11/21, 5:03 PM
posted by:
aexcorp
I have an Ecotec engine, can’t really say I’m not pleased with how it performs (love that overboost feature, but only the Saab Aero has it) or its reliability, as it never needed anything but oil changes. They’re also pretty cheap I’m guessing since they’re mass-produced on such a broad scale, being used in like 20 different models (Opel, Saab, Pontiac, Saturn, etc).
11/21, 5:17 PM
posted by:
justagigilo85
Hey jack@ss, you missed a thread.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-extends-holiday-shutdown-to-january-20th.html
C’mon what’s your excuse for that one?
Boy am I glad your state had as many electoral votes as you do teeth.
11/21, 5:36 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
@aexcorp, the Ecotec engine has received high acclaim from engineers around the world; there is no doubt about it being an excellent engine.
11/21, 6:17 PM
posted by:
Lawnchair88
Still not sure why this engine isn’t used in the Lotus lineup.
11/21, 6:17 PM
posted by:
andy
aexcorp: are you sure that engine is used in the Saab’s? i thought they used a different engine from the Redline/ Cobalt SS and others.
11/21, 8:15 PM
posted by:
DetroitWatcher
Saab/Chevy/Saturn all use variations on the Ecotech, though I think that Saab’s has a bit less hp than the one in the Sky Red Line.
Rented a Malibu with an Ecotech recently… it ran very quietly, used little gas, and seemed powerful enough. Probably a good choice for Fisker.
11/21, 8:43 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
GM must think it’s still going to be around to agree to this… Are they expecting that the bailout is going to go through? Or are they overblowing how bad they are doing to try and get a cheap loan?
11/21, 9:24 PM
posted by:
nowei
Not knocking the Ecotec, but I’m thinking this might be mainly a logistics thing.
Fisker just announced that Valmet in Finland would be building the Karma, and since Saab is right next door in Sweden and then there’s Opel to the south in Germany it makes sense that GM would have a bunch of engines kicking around.
It’s also entirely possible that one of the reasons it’s interested in this arrangement is not because it intends to keep full scale production of the engines going but because it already has them and is looking for a way to sell them without build cars.
Just speculating, though, and I don’t think the Ecotec is a bad choice.
11/22, 1:32 AM
posted by:
sxrcamaro
The EcoTec Is a great choice!
11/22, 11:58 AM
posted by:
A4
im glad theyre using this motor, and even more glad they arent using the motor out of a toyota econobox.
11/22, 5:23 PM
posted by:
olds307
ECOTEC is the best 4-cylinder made today, possibly ever. Obvious choice.
11/23, 12:30 AM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
I agree, the ECOTEC is one of the best 4 cylinders out there. I rented a Cobalt Lt and that thing can run! i hit 120 on a back road. Don’t get me wrong, my Acura’s 2.3 4L is awesome but its loud and thrashy. But i can’t help to think that the Fisker buyers are going to buy a 100,000 turbocharged hybrid Cobalt
11/24, 8:39 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
lol johnnycanuck, you’re cracking me up today… kudos
11/24, 10:30 AM
posted by:
non_biased_enthusiast
260 HP? Do you really think they will have a TURBO on an engine that recharges batteries?
11/24, 3:35 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
oLDS307 IS CORRECT. oNLY gm BUILDS AN ENGINE THAT IS MADE TO LAST