Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid reveal video

Earlier I said that Jeep was showing the only non-GM range extended electric vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show. Well, I was half right.

Fisker, a high-performance auto manufacturer, just unveiled its first production car, a plug-in hybrid called the "Karma."

The car can run 50 miles on pure electric power, and only then switches over to become a regular hybrid.

So while it's not technically a REEV (because the internal combustion engine powers the wheels in addition to the electric motors) it does have an extended, all-electric range, which gives you the same advantages of a REEV.

That advantage, in particular, is the car's ability to be a zero-emissions vehicle on most short trips.

Because there are two drive trains, the car is going to be expensive, around $80,000. Of course, Fisker was never going to make cheap cars.

It's not just the hybrid drive that keeps the cost high. It's also the solar panels on the roof, the limited edition styling, 6-second zero-to-sixty time and the 125-mph top speed.

Fisker hopes to sell more than 10,000 Karmas per year following its Q4 2009 sales launch. However, if the record of high-end EV maker Tesla is any indication, these goals may be a bit optimistic.