Automakers have thrown their considerable weights behind green technology. This comes as no surprise given the seemingly ever climbing gas prices and stringent future CAFE standards. Electric driven vehicles, such as plug-in hybrids are gaining popularity amid these concerns. But does green technology spell the end of performance sports cars? Not if manufacturers such as BMW, Porsche, and even an upstart such Fisker Automotive have a say.
The two German powerhouses and American newcomer are each set to produce their own eco-friendly yet exotic, sleek, low slung plug-in hybrid sports cars. Porsche's offering is the Porsche 918 Spyder, a hybrid super car starting at $845,000. The Fisker Karma comes in at the other end of the price spectrum and starts at $95900. The
just introduced BMW i8 slots somewhere in between - with respect to price and performance.
Despite their vast price differences, each car is a plug-in hybrid powered by both electric and gasoline powered motors (though the Fisker's gasoline engine only recharges the electric motors), with sports car performance and looks. We dig deeper into the cars' technical and design similarities and differences below:
| Karma | BMW i8 | 918 Spyder |
Technology | | | |
Fuel Consumption | 2.35 l/100km | 2.7 l/100km / 104 mpg imp (66g CO2) (based on EU cycle) | 3.0 l/100km / 94 mpg imp (70g CO2) |
Electric only range | 50 miles (300 mi total range) | 20 miles | 16 miles |
Battery charge time | 6-14 hours | Standard: 1:45hr for 100% charge | 7 hours (US) |
Engines | Dual electric motors rear / gasoline engine front (only recharges batteries) | Electric motor front / 3-cyl gasoline engine rear | Dual electric motors and V8 gasoline engine mid-mounted |
Power Output | 300kW / 1300 Nm (2x 150kW motors) | 260kW / 550Nm (from 164kW / 300Nm 3-cyl gas engine and 96kW / 250Nm electric motor) | 160 kW (218bhp) from electric engines / 500bhp V8 gas engine |
Performance | | | |
0-60 mph | 5.9 seconds | 4.6 seconds (0-62mph) | 3.1 seconds |
50-75mph | | 4.0 seconds | |
Top Speed | 125 mph | 155 mph | 199 mph |
Dimensions | | | |
Wheelbase | 124.4 in | 110.2 in | 113.4 in |
Length | 196.7 in | 182.3 in | 191.3 in |
Width | 78.1 in | 76.9 in | 72.5 in |
Height | 52.4 in | 50.3 in | 57.3 in |
Weight - unladen | 4,100-4,600 lb (est) | 3,262 lb (DIN/EU) | 4,222 lb (curb weight) |
Sales | | | |
Market Launch | July 2011 | 2014 | End of 2013 |
Est. MSRP | $95,900 | $200,000 (est/rumored) | $845,000 |