Detroit Preview: Fisker Karma coming in production form

With so many automakers canceling plans to appear at the Detroit Auto Show next month, it opens up opportunities for smaller companies to get more attention. One of those hoping for attention is Fisker, which will show the "production" version of the Karma. We first saw the Karma styling buck at this past year's Detroit show. The single, rear three-quarter shot that has been released of the production car shows no major changes. From the press release it sounds like the biggest visual change will be to the grille and lower air intake, both of which will be larger.

The extra airflow is likely needed to cool the turbocharged 2.0L EcoTec four cylinder that GM will be supplying. The back end of the car is also modified with an air diffuser that lets out hot air from the electric drive motor. The lithium battery pack has a peak output of 200 kW and a capacity of 22.6 kWh, which is expected to give a 50-mile electric range before the engine starts up. Fisker is still claiming that it will start shipping the $87,900 plug-in hybrid sedan in November 2009.