The Ron Tonkin dealership network is considered one of the largest dealers in the Pacific Northwest with franchises selling Honda, Acura, Chevrolet, Dodge, Kia, Hyundai, Lotus and even Ferrari and Maserati. It's also Oregon's 17th largest private employer and they've been voted "One of the Best 100 Companies in Oregon to Work For." Sounds like the perfect place for some hot plug-in-plug hybrid action.

It is. They've recently announced that they'll become the world's first Fisker dealership and will be ready in 2010 for the first (scheduled) deliveries of the Fisker Karma luxury plug-in hybrid sports sedan.

Dealership owner, Ron Tonkin says this of their new venture:

"We have taken the changing role of the automobile and our environment very seriously. We were one of the very first dealership groups in America to form an alternate fuel division. Until now our product line was electric bicycles, and in the last few years a growing number of hybrid propulsion vehicles of various makes and models."

According to Tonkin, they are now accepting pre-orders for the Karma. Although they don't mention how much of a hit your wallet will take to get your name on the list, we're guessing it's close to the $5,000 fee that Fisker themselves are asking for. At this point they haven't announced that they'll be accepting pre-orders for the Karma S convertible, but we're sure that they'd gladly hold on to your $25,000 if you want them to. We'll be sending them our check ... oh wait, we don't have any money since we gave it all in forced support of the government bailout.

Press Release:

The Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships is appointed as one of the first Fisker Dealers in America

The Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships continues their innovative retail strategy as one of the first Fisker Automotive Dealers

Portland, OR
February 17, 2009

The Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships continues their innovative retail strategy as one of the first Fisker Automotive Dealers appointed in America. Fisker Automotive, the new American manufacturer of premium green automobiles, is building a worldwide retail network to support initial deliveries of the Fisker Karma luxury plug-in hybrid sedan in the fourth quarter of 2009.

"We have taken the changing role of the automobile and our environment very seriously. We were one of the very first dealership groups in America to form an alternate fuel division. Until now our product line was electric bicycles, and in the last few years a growing number of hybrid propulsion vehicles of various makes and models" states Ron Tonkin.

With a top speed of 125 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds, the Fisker Karma is the world's first true premium plug-in hybrid sports sedan. The four-door, four-seat Karma fuses the traditional and timeless styling of veteran auto designer and Fisker Automotive CEO Henrik Fisker, with Quantum Technologies' clean Q-DRIVE® plug-in hybrid powertrain to become the world's first luxury plug-in hybrid car. Karma buyers will choose from three trim levels: EcoBaseTM, EcoSportTM and EcoChicTM. The most advanced sustainable material series, EcoChicTM, is based on an animal-free approach that still offers a luxurious environment. Leather is replaced by 100% Bamboo Viscose, a soft hand textile, while EcoGlassTM trim frames authentic fossilized leaves. Karma's EcoSportTM series incorporates hand-wrapped premium leather using a 100% sustainable manufacturing strategy, which minimizes the number of hides required and highlights natural markings using non-branded hides from cows allowed to live a full life expectancy and fed a special diet of grain and grass.

Ron Tonkin is accepting preorders for the Fisker four-door plug-in hybrid sports sedan - the FISKER KARMA to be delivered in 2010.

The Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships is Oregon's 17th largest private employer and was voted "One of the Best 100 companies in Oregon to Work For". The family-owned business is a Portland icon and has been outfitting the Pacific Northwest in automobiles for nearly 50 years.

To learn more visit www.Tonkin.com.

[via rontonkin]

10) VW Bluesport Concept

What’s not to like about a mid-engined European sportscar? The fact that this one will probably return mileage in the mid-30 MPGs in the US EPA test thanks to its diesel engine makes this one even better. Of course, you can still do 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and reach a distinctly non-Green top speed of 140 MPH. It’s cars like this — ones that use simple solutions to achieve more efficient results — that give us faith in the car industry as it attempts to clean up its act.

9) Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

Imagine a BMW 7-series that looked good, was fun to drive and had a 433 HP Ferrari-sourced V8. That’s the Quattorporte Sport GT S and I don’t think it’s difficult to understand why I’m looking forward to driving one.

8) Myers Motors EV

Remember the Corbin Sparrow? Myers Motors have gotten their hands on it, removed the gas engine and dropped in a whole bunch of batteries. A spokesperson that didn’t seem to understand science explained that it was “more stable than a motorcycle because it has three wheels” and “didn’t need to pass crash tests because it’s registered as a motorcycle.” Since I like things that look silly and things that are dangerous, this could be the perfect vehicle for me. Did we mention that it does 76 MPH and is highway legal?

7) Audi R8 5.2 FSI

The R8 didn’t really need more power or more anything really. The subtlest supercar on sale was virtually perfect. We’re worried that the extra power, weight and complication from the V10 will detract from, rather than add to, the experience, but we’re looking forward to finding out if it does.

6) Subaru Legacy Concept

This is my favorite concept at the show. Why? Because it looks like a car that I want to drive: a smallish sedan with AWD, a manual gearbox and a stonking turbocharged 3.6-liter boxer six; all wrapped up in a package that’s somehow both understated and flashy. Don’t look for this color on a production version, it doesn’t use a clear coat and apparently even a gentle caress is enough to scuff it, Subaru declined my request to do exactly that.

5) Jaguar XFR

We were pretty unimpressed with the Jaguar XF when we drove it back in September. But, this “R” version gets some aggressive body addenda, an electronically controlled rear differential with “drift mode” and, most importantly, a really high-tech 5.0 V8 with 510 HP and most of its 461 Lb-Ft of torque delivered at just 1,500 RPM. We were already pretty happy with the Jag’s engine, but wished it had better suspension control, feedback and more involving steering. We’ll see if they’ve fixed all that when we drive one.

4) 2010 Ford Taurus Ecoboost

I probably won’t get to drive this car right away. Why? Ben’s got a major hard on for it, saying “It’s a bitchin’ full-size family sedan, that’s a hard segment to be bitchin’ in. Plus, it’s got like 330 Lb-Ft of torque at 1,500 RPM and I like torque.”

3) Fisker Karma S

This is a seriously good-looking convertible, probably the best we’ve seen for at least a decade. But that’s not the whole story; the S shares the 2010 Karma’s 403 HP plug-in hybrid powertrain, so it’ll be fast too. We plan to put gaffer tape over the Sunset badges when we eventually drive one in 2012 or 2013.

2) 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

A pickup designed for maximum off-road performance. Actually, “maximum” is good word to use to describe the Raptor. I’m contemplating growing a mullet, investing in a pack of Hanes Wife Beaters and learning to like Miller Lite just so I can do the truck justice.

1) Dodge Circuit EV

The Lotus Europa is a seriously solid sportscar. Here, with a Dodge grille and a fictional electric powertrain that promises 0-60 in less than five seconds and a top speed "in excess of 120 MPH" it should be even better. Especially since the electric motor will deliver all its torque from one RPM. It’s a shame then that I’ll only ever get to drive the Circuit EV in my dreams.

Fisker didn’t reveal any details abou the Karma S, but it’ll share a platform with the 2011 Fisker Karma four-door. That car is capable of 0-60 in 5.8 seconds and has a 125 MPH top speed. The four-door will retails for $87,900, expect a healthy premium for the S.

The Press Release follows:

DETROIT, MI Jan 12, 2009: Fisker Automotive, the new American manufacturer
of premium green automobiles, unveiled the Fisker Karma S concept at the 2009
North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) today. The four-seat, plug-in
hybrid hardtop convertible furthers the company’s belief that driving style and
performance need not be compromised for environmental friendliness.

The open-air Fisker Karma S concept shares its aluminum spaceframe architecture
and clean Q-DRIVE® powertrain with the Fisker Karma sedan. Designed and
engineered by Quantum Technologies exclusively for Fisker Automotive, Q-DRIVE®
provides 50 emission-free miles on a single charge to its lithium-ion battery pack,
and up to 403hp from two electric motors. The power retractable hard top, a first
for Fisker, glides neatly into the trunk and a unique design language sets the Karma S
concept apart.

“Our objective is to create a singular design language and heritage around our state-
of-the-art Q-DRIVE® powertrain,” said Fisker Automotive, Inc. CEO Henrik Fisker.
“The Karma S is an extension of the Fisker Automotive product range of eco-
conscious automobiles and sets the tone for our future.“

As both cars are completely covered it's hard to get a clear view of what the cars will look like. We're guessing the car on the left is the original Fisker Karma with the S Concept on the right. Thankfully, we've got the KORSdesign-penned Karma S Sunset rendering to fulfill our fantasies of drop-top hybrid driving. A fantasy we never knew we had.

[via AutoSpies]

Henrik Fisker’s little coachbuilding shop will take the wraps off of the Fisker Karma production car at the Detroit Auto Show and will have a little something extra to show off their range of abilities. Fisker’s little something extra will actually be a little less by removing two of the doors and the roof from the Karma sedan. Officially dubbed the Fisker Karma S Sunset, the concept will feature the same plug-in Q-DRIVE lithium-ion battery powertrain good for 50 miles on a single charge and roughly 408 horsepower from two electric motors. A small gasoline engine turns the generator and should allow for extra range, though it’s not yet been determined what that range will be.

The Karma S Sunset Concept will feature a very similar design to its production sedan sibling, though the four-door setup will be replaced by two larger coupe-like doors and the roof will be missing, instead replaced by either a retractable soft or a hard top convertible. Other changes will occur to the lower rocker area with a newly sculpted body side and detailing. The front end design will likely remain the same in order to share the Karma family face, but could receive unique treatment if there should ever be a production version. The interior will be similar to the Karma production sedan, but rear seat occupants will be a little more squeezed due to the packaging of the convertible top.

The Fisker Karma S Sunset will officially make its debut on January 12th at the Detroit Auto Show, until then take a peek at the illustrations from KORSdesign.