American sports car company Fisker is set to launch its hybrid sports car in 2009.

The four-door Karma coupe is has already built up more than 500 orders in the USA ahead of its on-sale date.

It will have a top speed of only 125mph (200 km/h), but Fisker says the environmentally friendly sports sedan will have a range of 50 miles (80 kilometres) using only electric power.

A hybrid power unit using a petrol engine and electric motor should give it a 300 mile (480 km) overall range.

Fisker says it believes most owners will charge the battery overnight so the car has its full electric range available for the daily commute.

A high-tech lithium-ion battery is used along with a small petrol engine and Fisker will even offer solar panels for owners' houses as an option to help charge the battery.

Deliveries are due to begin in the USA in 2009.