The Fisker Karma, the brainchild of noted automotive designer Henrik Fisker, who designed such 21st century automotive masterpieces as the BMW Z8 and Aston Martin DB9, was the first all-new car created under Fisker’s own company. The hybrid-electric Karma, the result of seeking to create both a car and company that wholly embodied an environmentally friendly lifestyle, was launched as a concept in 2009, with deliveries underway in 2011.

As Fisker himself is first and foremost a designer, it goes without saying that the Karma is beautifully designed and features a number of distinct styling cues, making it truly unique amongst other cars on the road today. Casual onlookers will even notice that the car’s roof is fitted with solar panels, providing an additional aesthetic and functional touch. They act as a supplement for charging the battery conventionally, and while it might not add much to the car’s electric mileage, the solar panels can keep the air conditioning functioning to ensure the cabin temperature stays at a set temperature, even when the car is not running.

The electric- and gasoline-powered motors work together to create a combined output of 402 horsepower, and the overall fuel economy averages 33 mpg, which is quite exceptional considering its output. Inside, passengers are surrounded by environmentally friendly luxury, including reclaimed wood trim and special leather that was produced using eco-friendly methods.

This top-of-the-line 2012 Karma EcoSport is a desirable late-production model. It features the optional $3,000 Shadow paint, which involves blending the paint using a special technique of which ground-up particles of glass are used to enhance the beauty of the finish, and the $2,200 Monsoon tri-tone interior package, which gives this Karma a very stylish yet understated look. The car, showing only 100 delivery miles on its odometer, looks as if it just left the showroom floor, as the paint is excellent and the leather interior shows nary a scratch and still remains plush and inviting. With the restructuring and the new ownership of Fisker, this car has the benefit of a $2,000 warranty, which was part of the re-organized conditions of the bankruptcy proceedings, ensuring peace of mind for the next owner.

As the company now has a new owner, a leading manufacturer of automotive components called Wanxiang America Corporation, which has spent over $145 million on acquiring the company, the Fisker will in all likelihood resume production in the near future. Production models are rumored to have an entry price of over $100,000, as indicated by the company’s new website, and this as-new Karma showcases exceptional value. As it features breathtaking design, cutting-edge hybrid technology, and less than 100 original miles, this Karma will surely be a future collectible, and it could serve as a head-turning and environmentally friendly daily driver.