European Testing Ranks the Fisker Karma at 112 mpg!

We reported recently that the <a title="EPA" href="http://epa.gov" target="_blank">EPA</a> had gotten back with a pretty miserable <a title="Inhabitat: Fisker Karma Receives 52 mpg EPA rating" href="http://inhabitat.com/fisker-karma-receives-epa-certification-but-only-for-52-mpge20-mpg/" target="_blank">52 mpg rating</a> for the Fisker Karma extended-range EV. Now Fisker has received its rating from the European certification agency <a title="Wikipedia: TUV" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technischer_%C3%9Cberwachungsverein" target="_blank">Technischer Üeberwachungs Verein</a> (TÜV), and it has come out at 112 mpg. That's a huge difference, which calls into question the ways rating agencies test <a title="Wikipedia: plug-in hybrids and extended-range EVs" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_hybrid" target="_blank">extended-range EVs</a>. There is always a difference in the mpg ratings of European and U.S.-tested vehicles, but this gap is so large as to render these numbers meaningless to the consumer. Why did one agency achieve 112 miles per gallon while the other only managed half that efficiency?

Fisker has been promising high fuel efficiency as well as a 52-mile range in "stealth" electric mode. At least the Karma was able to achieve that feat in testing.

The Karma can accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in 6.1 seconds, which is similar to a mid-level sports coupe.

We love the unique good looks of the Karma, which are quite a few notches above any other extended-range EV on the market.

Inside, the Karma is all about technology and luxury, with two-toned leather dashboard and leaf details throughout the cabin.

The Karma reminds us of a Mercedes interior of a few years ago, with lots of buttons and shiny bits to let you know you're being pampered.

Here is the center console leaf detail, a nice touch that really makes the car look as special as it is.