The sunset comes with proven technology

As America refocuses its car industry, electric and plug-in hybrid technology is starting to pop up in some unexpected places. The Fisker KarmaA Sunset, for instance. But this isn’t just a svelte sports car with green pretensions – it comes with proven technology and grand aims.

It is essentially a folding hard-top version of the Karma saloon, the SL to Fisker’s S-class, and while it was presented in concept form at the show, it can’t be far off being a production reality – it sat beside the showroom-spec Karma saloon, a car that debuted as a concept itself at Detroit 2008.

The pair share the same technology, with two electric motors and a 2-litre direct-injection petrol engine together producing up to 397bhp at the rear wheels. That means 0-100kph in 5.8sec and a 200kph top speed with all the motors at full tilt, although you can raise and drop those figures to 7.5sec and 155kph respectively when you’re relying on the lithium-ion batteries alone for power.

Range is the key factor with electric power of course, and the Karma can travel 80 km in all-electric mode – perfect for a 3L/100km - equivalent petrol-free commute – and 480 km when you add a full tank of petrol to the mix.

The saloon hits the US this year, priced at $ 87,900. That’s startlingly good value when you consider the technology, performance and style on offer. Perhaps that’s the reason for Fisker’s projected annual sales of 15,000.

The order book stands at around 1250 saloons so far, with production starting this summer. Deliveries begin in November in the USA with deliveries to other parts of the world soon after.