By Nathan Duke
An auto industry executive who created two cars seen in James Bond films loaned out the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for display at a Great Neck, L.I., auto dealer on Northern Boulevard last week.
Jaguar of Great Neck, at 732 Northern Blvd. in Great Neck near the Little Neck border, displayed the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in its lobby May 26. Customers stopped in to check out the car, which will be priced at $88,000 when it becomes available for purchase in the first quarter of 2011.
The display was part of a 42-city tour being held prior to the luxury sports sedan’s going on the market next year.
Jack Weidinger, dealer principal for the dealership, said an estimated 50 people had popped in throughout the course of the afternoon to view the car. He expected more to stop by after they got off work.
“We have it here so customers can look at it and touch it,” Weidinger said. “This car is the first true hybrid with a gas engine that backs up electric power.”
The car, known as the Fisker Karma, was designed by Fisker Automotive Chief Executive Officer Henrik Fisker, who also created the Aston Martin DB9 and the BMW Z8, both of which were featured in recent James Bond films.
The Aston Martin was seen in 2008’s “Quantum of Solace,” while the Z8 was featured in 1999’s “The World Is Not Enough.”
The Fisker Karma runs for 50 miles on electricity before its gas engine kicks in, so drivers who work within 50 miles of their workplace will only have to fill up on gas if they make long-distance road trips, Weidinger said.
“The miles per gallon is infinity,” Weidinger said.
The four-seat sedan reaches up to 60 miles per hours in six seconds and has a maximum speed of 125 miles per hour. Its lithium-ion battery can be fully recharged in eight hours.
The idea for the Fisker Karma was first introduced at the North American International Auto Show Jan. 14, 2008. Fisker previewed the world’s first plug-in hybrid convertible at the auto show the following year.
The Karma’s North American tour kicked off April 27 at the company’s Irvine, Calif., headquarters. It will continue through the end of June, stopping at 42 cities in 26 states as well as three Canadian provinces.
Weidinger said there would be a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that would cost in the $40,000 dollar range within the next two or three years.
Jaguar of Great Neck was founded in 1938 on Northern Boulevard.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
