If you think that the Fisker Karma looks like a four-door Aston Martin, there’s a very good reason for that. 

The car was the brainchild of former Aston Martin Design Director, Henrik Fisker, a Danish-American car designer and entrepreneur who left Ford’s Premier Automotive Group in 2006 to set up his own car company – the last project he worked on being the Aston Martin DB9.  

The Fisker Karma EVer (Electric Vehicle/Extended Range) was revealed at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, designed by Fisker’s team at their Californian headquarters and manufactured under licence on Fisker’s behalf by Valmet Automotive in Finland. 

It’s a fascinating car, driven by a pair of 120kW electric motors that receive power from a 20.1 kWh lithium ion battery, backed up by a turbocharged GM 2.0-litre Ecotec petrol engine (the same one you find in a Vauxhall Astra VXR) that essentially does the job of sustaining the battery once the electric-only range of around 30 miles is spent. 

Once the battery is depleted, or when the driver activates the ‘Sport’ paddle on the steering wheel, the petrol engine powers a generator that sends electricity directly to the drive motors. The Karma's engine is connected to a generator to provide an electrical connection to the motors and also recharge the batteries, meaning the electric motors are the only mechanical driving force connected to the wheels, as per the original Chevrolet Volt. It’s fascinating stuff, and it works. 

That direct-to-grid EV ability also means it’s legitimately registered as an electric car resulting in free road tax and no congestion charges in any of the UK’s low-emissions zones, including London’s ULEZ and Congestion Charge areas. 

Alas, if anything the Fisker was ahead of its time and the company filed for bankruptcy at the end of 2013, following slow sales and delays bringing the Karma into production. 

This example is one of only two Fiskers known for definite to be in the UK, although there may be others.  

Originally delivered to the US, the vehicle was imported from New York to the UK during 2013, after which a full UK IVA test was carried out and any required modifications were made. It was then registered to the vendor, who remains the only UK owner. While it is registered in the UK, this example has been maintained by Kroymans Fisker of Hilversum in the Netherlands during the current ownership.

The current owner bought the car last year and is torn between keeping or selling it, but has decided to offer it for sale due to some other recent acquisitions that mean he’s not using it as much as he was. 

Included with the vehicle is the full set of Fisker manuals, numerous US-specific handbooks, owner’s manual, quick reference guide, PDF printout of the service history, UK and European charging cables and a copy of the European sales brochure. The Fisker is classified as an electric vehicle with DVLA, which means it currently attracts zero road tax, and is exempt from both the Congestion Charge as well as any ULEZ charges. 

It is car number 1,384 of the original 2,035 built. The appropriate registration ‘F19 KER’ is included in the sale. Car has also just passed its MOT with no advisories. Kroymans is also a Fisker dealer in Europe, so the car has full Fisker service history.

The service book is stamped with the most recent documented inspection carried out in May 2018 at 16,232 miles by Kroymans of Hilversum, Netherlands. Previous stamps are at 31/05/18 – 15,931 miles; 06/12/16 – 14,128 miles; 26/10/15 – 12,650 miles; 05/11/14 – 5,804 miles and 15/01/14 – 4,683 miles.

The appropriate registration ‘F19 KER’ is included in the sale. A similar plate has been valued in the five figure range, which makes this number plate valuable in its own right. The car comes with all of its charging equipment, plus two keys.

Finished in Deep Ocean Blue – a GM colour used by SAAB, Cadillac and Buick, the Fisker looks superb, with its curvaceous flanks catching light and shadows beautifully.

It’s in sound order with no major issues – there are a smattering of rust bubbles on one strut top cover plate and a tiny bubble on the rear window surround, plus a scuff on one door mirror and one chrome piece of trim, but nothing alarming or that detracts from the car’s overall stunning appearance. 

On the roof, the car features solar panels. As well as looking cool, these provide electrical power to the in-car systems such as the audio, infotainment and air-conditioning controls, helping to sustain the car’s electric range. 

Eco-consciousness was a big part of Fisker’s marketing strategy, right down to the three-tone interior, which includes the ‘Sunken Oak’ trim – made from driftwood recovered from the shores of Lake Michigan.

The leather was sourced sustainably and the seat foam is made from soy-based plant fibres. All the seats are heated seats.

The left-hand-drive cabin is in extremely decent condition overall, with a tiny scuff to the edge of the driver’s seat base and bolster, but neither is massively noticeable. To assist with navigation the car is equipped with UK/EU Sat Nav.

The vendor reports that the tyre pressure monitor warning light occasionally comes on but tends to extinguish itself after a few minutes, irrespective of tyre pressure. 

A pair of 161hp electric motors power the car, with a supporting 260hp turbocharged 2.0-litre Ecotec inline-four acting as a generator to supply electricity when needed.

According to the vendor, the Fisker drives brilliantly in both full electric and extended-range models and has no known problems. He reports that the brakes, steering and transmission all work as they should. 

It’s a quick car – those electric motors mean instant torque and 0-60mph in less than five seconds, which is astonishing for a car this vast. 

As well as being an incredible car, its vast, imposing proportions and striking styling alone being enough to make heads swivel, the Fisker is a terrific option for city-based enthusiasts who want something with supercar-performance, executive car comfort and the ability to be driven into congestion areas with impunity. 

If you want to do that a little bit differently, then the Fisker is the car in which to do it. It’s a fascinating thing, beautifully finished and a guaranteed talking point wherever it goes. Quite something, in fact. 

If you don’t mind a left-hooker, it’s an amazing collector’s piece as well as a thoroughly usable and enjoyable car.