Eco-friendly Fisker Karma named Top Gear's luxury car of the year

Date: 29/12/2011

Top Gear magazine has given the low-carbon Fisker Karma its luxury car of the year title for 2011.

The print accompaniment to the BBC television show awarded the accolade to the model after praising it for showing electric powered vehicles can be a viable option for motorists.

Editor of the magazine Charlie Turner stated the Karma indicates "the future is nothing to be afraid of" in a fast-changing car industry and the model, which can do the equivalent of over 100 mpg and zero to 60 mph in under six seconds, was the personal pick of James May, one of the presenters of the television show.

The Karma is one of many electric cars that combines a lithium-ion battery system with a petrol engine to increase range and the interior of the model is also eco-friendly, as it features leather from the Bridge of Weir Leather Company that has travelled under 100 km from abattoir to tannery.

Fisker has yet to establish dealerships in the UK but one firm that will be using its network of showrooms to sell electric vehicles is Renault, which recently announced 21 sites nationwide will be offering its new range of four green cars.

Posted by Nick Anderson