| New hybrid sports car preview | 2009 Fisker Karma |

A petrol-electric sports car is on the way from American company Fisker with a top speed of 125mph and 0-60mph in less than six seconds. It's due on sale in the USA in 2009 and sales will follow in Europe in 2010.

The Fisker Karma four-door sports coupe uses a lithium-ion battery pack and a small petrol engine, though the company is still to confirm the size of the engine. The top speed is capped at 125mph and Fisker says the car will have a range of 50 miles running solely on electricity. Using the petrol engine as well, the new sports car will be able to cover 300 miles.

Fisker expects owners will charge the car overnight to give it the full 50-mile electric range for a daily commute.

In the USA, more than 500 Karmas have already been ordered and the company expects to sell 1,250 per month when production reaches full capacity. Sales of the Karma are due to begin in Europe in 2010 with an estimated price of €63,000.