The 2012 Fisker Karma- A test drive that proves being green never looked so good.

Last week, I told you about the Tesla Model S and the all-electric luxury it had to offer to the well-heeled buyer looking for something different to park in front of the country club.

Easy on the eyes and easy on the Earth
(Fisker.com)

This week, the theme continues with the test drive of the 2012 Fisker Karma by the knowledgeable scribes at MotorTrend.com. Not a true all-electric car, the Fisker uses a hybrid system to squeeze as much efficiency as possible from the high-tech chassis. The Fisker combines the best a high torque electrical motor can provide with the long-range of a reliable gasoline engine. For most short-distance journeys (under 30 miles or so), the Fisker runs on nothing but the state-of-the-art battery power. But should the distance grow, the batteries run out of juice or your lead foot happens to get a whole bunch heavier, the two systems work in parallel to maximize horsepower and efficiency.

But, the Fisker isn't a Toyota Prius with chrome rims. It's a completely new "clean paper" design built in Southern California in an attempt to provide green customers with a little extra green in their pockets a reason to part with more than $100,000. One interesting aspect of the engineering of the Fisker is that the gas engine never powers the wheels directly like a "normal" car would. Instead, the engine works with the vehicle's internal generator to create electricity that powers the electric motors and they turn the wheels.

For this kind of money, you know it's gotta be nice inside
(Fisker.com)

The Karma only gets better inside. With an interior befitting a car priced north of $100k, you'll find the finest leathers, real wood, brushed aluminum and more electronics than a NASA launch and the kids will benefit from the comfy rear seats so you can take the entire family to show off your eco-taste.

 To see a video of MT's test of the Fisker Karma, go to the magazine's website here. To see whether the Karma belongs in your driveway, go to Fisker's site here and pick out the model right for you.

It might not be cheap to be both stylish and environmentally responsible, but for those with the means and the desire to help help the earth, the Karma might be priceless.

The Tesla Model S- An electric car with style, power, style, range and style!

I like to think big. Problem is, my budget likes to think small.

However, there are times when my imagination overrules my wallet and I throw caution to the wind and daydream about the crass commercialism I would indulge in if I had the means. The typical things come to mind: a big house, waterfront properties, fancy vacations and the like. But I'm a car guy and I know for sure my garage would be filled with all sorts of German and Italian iron straight from the racetrack.

But...there is one car I would seek out- not because of high horsepower and not because it has a 220mph tops speed. No, I would buy this car for its exclusivity and rarity and it's made right here in America (but available around the world soon!). Also, for the fact that it's different from the car in anyone else's driveway. It's not cheap, but it's not that expensive, either.

And, finally- it has no engine.



I'll take one in this color, please!
(teslamotors.com)



Well, it kinda does, just not a gasoline one. The Tesla Model S is set to hit the road for consumers in the next few months and boasts luxury and economy and no visits to the local gas station ever. It also boasts a state of the art battery pack giving the car a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds and a range of 300 miles. The entry price for this kind of cutting-edge technology starts at $49,900 (not too bad!) and goes up, up, up with options to nearly $100,000 (ouch). In return, you get a gorgeous exterior design, a leather swathed interior  with real wood accents and a HUGE 10" computer tablet to control heating, audio and other functions.



The car will be built in the former Toyota/GM factory in Fremont, CA just a short drive south of  San Francisco and smack in the heart of the capital of technology, The Silicon Valley. And this location begs the question: is the Tesla Model S a car with technology or is it technology on wheels?



I would guess the answer to that question would be yes to both.

Take the Tesla for a test drive on the internet super highway by going to the Tesla site here.  



The best products of CES 2012 or how I'll drain my bank account in the next 12 months.

What is the newest, best and most desirable electronics for the rest of this year? Find out in Las Vegas at the 2012 CES. However, there's just one problem...

The 2012 Consumer Electronics Show is now over. For those who don't know, the CES show is the world's largest show dedicated to introducing the world to the latest electronic offerings from thousands of companies, large and small. If you go to Vegas now, all you'll find is a huge, empty convention hall. A week ago, you would have found hundreds of thousands of geeks...er, enthusiasts seeking out the new and the best products out there.



Whatever it is, I want it.
(pcmag.com)



Not to worry, though. With all of the goodies, gadgets and electronic gee-wiz gizmos announced at the show, PCmag.com has collected together their opinion of the best and most promising products to make their debut at the show and has collected them together for your perusal. The products run the gamut from the best phone to the greatest tablet to the finest camera they could fine after four days at the show.

The list is broken into catagories like laptops, TVs and gaming, among others. It's hard to come up with a short list due to the volume of products, so the article is pretty thorough. But, if you're a gadget nut like me, the article doesn't run nearly long enough.

Go to PCmag.com here to see the what 2012 will offer when it comes to the I-want and the must-have in electronics.

The (best) cheapest place for iPhone4S accessories. Monoprice has 'em!

It seems a great many people have a crush on the iPhone and the iPhone4S. It's important to keep this all-glass, fragile three or four hundred dollar investment safe and unbroken or you'll be reaching into your all-too-thin wallet to pay hundreds for a replacement and I'm sure you have better use the money than adding to Apple's bottom line.

Instead of forking over hard-earned cash for a new phone, take a few bucks and send it to Monoprice.com for a protective case. Normally a home theater supply company, Monprice.com specializes in supplying working folks like you and me with reasonably priced supplies for TVs, computers, security, internet and other uses (these items are way overpriced in the big box stores). They also offer various Apple iPhone accessories like chargers, cables, speakers and the like.

Not a bad deal...not bad at all and only $3.70!
(source: Monoprice.com)

Surprisingly, Monoprice has a good sized selection of iPad and iPhone cases for shockingly low prices (not a huge number, I would guess 75-90 different styles). Normally, even the cheapest silicone and rubber cases are priced far north of fifteen, twenty or even fifty dollars. Not at Monoprice.

Cases of pretty good quality are available for as low as $1 each. If you think that cases at this price must be of shoddy build quality and low rent materials, so did I. Then I read the hundreds of independent customer reviews and found out the cases seem to be of pretty good quality and worth much more than they're charging.

Or maybe it begs the question: Why are others charging so much?

Go to Monoprice.com here to find out why.