2012 Fisker Karma is a 2.5 tons subcompact, according to EPA
By Andrew, 30 Oct, 2011. 0 Comments
Fisker Karma
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified the 2012 Fisker Karma as a subcompact. It’s absurd for this range-extended plug-in hybrid to be considered as one since it measures 16.5-feet long, its width exceeds 6 feet and it weighs more than 2.5 tons. It also features an impressive 403-horsepower electric powerplant. Apparently, the EPA looks at interior volume (not overall measurements) when finding the size categories. The Fisker’s interior volume is less than the compact category’s requirement of at least 100 cubic-feet. This is crucial because the EPA determines size classifications for cars in order to apply CO2 reduction goals.
These targets are also known as fuel economy standards. The $96,000 Fisker is an exotic luxury sedan with four seats similar to most four-place exotic sports sedans. A Fisker Automotives spokesman said that the new EPA fuel economy label is already being used by the company even if it’s only required to do so in the 2013 model. He added that sales won’t be affected since its target market doesn’t care about the label and would only be focused on the car’s qualities.
But this classification makes future model comparisons difficult. For example, it can’t be compared to a Chevrolet Volt since the range-extended plug-in hybrid is in a different class, is priced $56,000 lower, and is a full size bigger since the EPA categorizes it as a compact car. EPA has classified the following 2012 cars as subcompacts: the Audi TT, Aston Martin Rapide, Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Sonic, Mini Cooper Clubman and Volkswagen Beetle. [source: AutoObserver]
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