Alright, so it’s not Karma’s first appearance in Europe, but during the Monaco Grand Prix this past weekend it made its “European driving debut”, which is quite something!

Monaco is actually the most appropriate place for Fisker to market the Karma, because people here are not going to fall for a Nissan LEAF or Chevy Volt, no matter how many pictures Prince Albert takes with them! But Karma with its exotic roots and luxury soul can be a very stylish way of going green.

On Saturday 28 May 2011, before official race qualifying began, Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, joined company co-founder, CEO and executive design director, Henrik Fisker on the track to have a few laps. Fisker has also appointed a dealer in Monte Carlo, Monaco Motors, located on 6- 11 rue Princesse Florestine, MC 98000.

Fisker Karma hybrid is powered by two rear-mounted 201.5 horsepower (150 kW) electric traction motors and a 175 kW electric generator to power the motors. There is enough power to move you around at a good pace, but the range is a bit shabby in electric mode at 50 miles or 80 km.

Uniquely, the Fisker Karma can run in one of two drive modes: Stealth and Sport.  Stealth Mode maximizes efficiency, giving the car its greatest range on battery power before activating the gasoline engine-driven generator to sustain battery charge.  In Stealth Mode, the Karma can accelerate from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 95 mph (153 km/h).  With Sport Mode engaged, the gasoline engine drives the generator to provide enough electricity for 403 total system horsepower, allowing the Karma to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).