This one's for you clownboy: Fisker plug-in Karma Luxury H

Here we have the first image of the upcoming plug-in hybrid luxury car from Fisker set to debut at this year's Detroit Auto Show in January. Developed in conjunction with Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, the plug-in hybrid will cost around $100,000 and initially be built in a run of just 100 units. Fisker hasn't given out any details on the car, like how much power it will produce or what it's fuel economy will be, but from the picture above we can tell it will be a stunner. That's not surprising, as the company's namesake, Henrik Fisker, designed such cars as the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage, among others. Though the image is small, we can make out design elements from many other high-end autos including a Ferrari 599-esqe front end, some Maserati Quattroporte in the midsection and, of course, a little Aston in the rear. Check back here in January for some solid info on what this car's all about.

PRESS RELEASE:

DRIVE THE FUTURE WITH FISKER AUTOMOTIVE, A NEW GREEN AMERICAN PREMIUM CAR COMPANY

IRVINE, Calif. Sept.5, 2007: Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: QTWW) and Fisker Coachbuild, LLC announce the launch of a joint venture in Fisker Automotive, Inc. - a green American premium car company. Fisker Automotive will offer a range of environmentally friendly premium cars – with the first production car to make its Worldwide North American debut at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January. Initial production is anticipated to be 15,000 vehicles annually with pricing to start under $100,000.

Design and technology development are already underway for the first production car. All models will feature cutting-edge plug-in hybrid technology penned as Quantum Drive, developed by Quantum Technologies exclusively for Fisker Automotive. This all-new plug–in Quantum Drive chassis layout will allow Fisker to design innovative luxury cars with uncompromised proportions.

The Fisker name has attracted and attained worldwide brand recognition, thanks to years of first-class automotive designs. Over his 18 years in the car design business, Henrik Fisker has left his thumbprint on some of the most highly regarded automobiles. His creations range from the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 & V8 Vantage to his most recent creations – the Tramonto and Latigo CS, designed under the Fisker Coachbuild nameplate. Fisker Automotive will retain the orange and blue logo originated at Fisker Coachbuild.

"The troubled environment is captivating the attention of the world. Developing a premium luxury green car which also delivers attractive design can make a difference. We are extremely excited to join our automotive design expertise with the plug-in hybrid technology of Quantum in Quantum Drive. This breakthrough chassis development will allow us to deliver a design with dramatic proportions – one which will carry the Fisker badge," expressed Henrik Fisker, CEO of Fisker Automotive, Inc. "We want people to drive beautiful fast cars that make environmental sense – cars that are eco-chic and will have less of an impact on global warming."

Quantum Technologies has a long history of advancing technology. Benefits in developing an entirely new, from-the-ground-up design for a plug-in hybrid vehicle include optimized fuel efficiency and performance, unchanged gas station infrastructure, home based battery recharging with any 110-volt outlet at a fraction of the cost. A cleaner and a quieter car for local travel... all with the most advanced comforts that are anticipated with a luxury car.

"Our goal here is to deliver the advancement that Quantum Technologies has made in the area of plug-in hybrid technology. By combining our efforts with the renowned design talent of Henrik Fisker, we can produce a car that makes a difference to the environment – without sacrificing the luxury that accompanies the finest automobiles," stated Alan Niedzwiecki, CEO Quantum Technologies.

IRVINE, Calif. — What do Henrik Fisker and Al Gore have in common? They're both beneficiaries of the Silicon Valley venture-capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers — the former vice president and Nobel Prize winner is now a partner there, while the onetime BMW and Aston Martin designer has won a new multimillion-dollar investment from the company for his Fisker Karma.

After months of speculation fueled by the occasional press release from Fisker Automotive and its technology partner Quantum, the Karma was formally unveiled this week at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The gas-electric sport sedan is one of several plug-in hybrids being touted at the show, but the only one designed to sell for $80,000 on up. Fisker says the first customer cars are slated to be delivered in late 2009.

Engineered by Quantum Technologies, the Karma's "Q Drive" propulsion system employs a small gasoline engine to generate electricity to charge the lithium-ion battery pack. An electric motor powers the rear wheels, with Fisker quoting a 0-60-mph acceleration figure of less than 6 seconds and a top speed of more than 125 mph — remarkable figures, considering the car is about the size of a Mercedes-Benz CLS or a BMW 7 Series. By charging the car overnight, Fisker says the Karma will have a daily range of about 50 miles.

Fisker wants to build a family of premium plug-in hybrids — with Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers helping to finance the operation — and envisions annual production climbing eventually to 15,000 units.

The first 99 cars off the line will be individually numbered and signed by Henrik Fisker, who is CEO of Fisker Automotive as well as the design house Fisker Coachbuild.

What this means to you: Fisker's Karma will sell for about four times the price of the F6DM plug-in hybrid sedan due later this year from China's BYD Auto. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent

Saw that at Detroit...I think its kinda cool!

Just for that I'm going to do an AWD drift around your entire house.