New 2010 Fisker Karma Pictures

Fisker Automotive took last year's Detroit auto show by surprise with a plug-in hybrid concept called the Karma. The surprise wasn't that it was a plug-in — a technology that a year later still hasn't hit the market from any manufacturer — it was the fact that the Karma looked like an Italian supercar, and that it had four doors yet still looked stunning. Now, the Irvine, Calif.-based company has rolled out its 2010 production version of the Karma. Last year's concept was actually more of a prototype, so the real thing looks just as stunning.

The Karma is basically a battery-powered electric car with an onboard range-extending generator, not unlike Chevrolet's much-anticipated Volt. It's technically also a series hybrid because the generator's added power can increase the car's speed when combined with the juice from the battery. Running on battery alone — called Stealth mode — the car can reach 95 mph. In Sport mode, with the gas engine generating electricity, the top speed is 125 mph (electronically limited from a possible 150 mph, according to Fisker). Regardless of mode, the 0-60 time is 5.8 seconds. The two motors drive all four wheels, and safety features like antilock brakes and an electronic stability system are standard.

New 2010 Fisker Karma Pictures

Fisker Automotive took last year's Detroit auto show by surprise with a plug-in hybrid concept called the Karma. The surprise wasn't that it was a plug-in — a technology that a year later still hasn't hit the market from any manufacturer — it was the fact that the Karma looked like an Italian supercar, and that it had four doors yet still looked stunning. Now, the Irvine, Calif.-based company has rolled out its 2010 production version of the Karma. Last year's concept was actually more of a prototype, so the real thing looks just as stunning.

The Karma is basically a battery-powered electric car with an onboard range-extending generator, not unlike Chevrolet's much-anticipated Volt. It's technically also a series hybrid because the generator's added power can increase the car's speed when combined with the juice from the battery. Running on battery alone — called Stealth mode — the car can reach 95 mph. In Sport mode, with the gas engine generating electricity, the top speed is 125 mph (electronically limited from a possible 150 mph, according to Fisker). Regardless of mode, the 0-60 time is 5.8 seconds. The two motors drive all four wheels, and safety features like antilock brakes and an electronic stability system are standard.

VIDEO: Fisker's All-Electric Karma Sports Sedan Makes Driving Debut at Monterey

*Updated With Video

One of the most anticipated newcomers of the year, Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV for short, made its public driving debut over the weekend at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Behind the wheel of the 403-horsepower sports saloon was Fisker Automotive co-founder and COO Bernhard Koehler who drove the Karma up to a top speed of 100mph or 160 km/h.

"This demonstration represents a significant milestone for Fisker Automotive and PHEV technology," said CEO Henrik Fisker. "The future of clean cars is bright."

The Karma can drive up to 50 miles or 80 km on a full-charge of the lithium ion battery pack and has a total range of 300 miles or around 480 km when employing the on-board generator that is powered by a 260HP four-cylinder gasoline engine sourced from General Motors. The two electric motors that drive the rear wheels develop a combined output of 403-horsepower allowing the Karma to reach 60mph (96 km/h) in under 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph or 201 km/h.

Sales of the Karma will begin towards the end of the year with pricing in the U.S. set at $87,900.

Fisker Karma EV to Run at Monterey Historic Automobile Races

We're not entirely sure if Fisker will have the first examples of the Karma up for sale in the last quarter of the year as the firm promised at the Detroit Show in January, but the plug-in hybrid sports sedan will make its official driving debut at the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races on Saturday, August 15. The pre-production prototype is scheduled to complete two laps on the 11-turn Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca course.

"The Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races is the best stage in the world for great moments in automotive history," said Henrik Fisker, Fisker CEO. "Fisker is honored to be a part of it."

The full-size sports sedan has a range of 50 miles (80 km) on a full charge of its Lithium-ion battery, and a total range of 300 miles (480 km ) thanks to an on-board generator powered by GM's 260hp Ecotec engine. Two electric motors producing a combined output of 403HP allow the Karma to reach 60mph (96km/h) in about six seconds and go on to a top speed of 125mph or 201 km/h.