Tesla is about to get a rival from Southern California.
Karma, the brand that rose from the ashes of the defunct Fisker Automotive, is set to introduce its first all-electric model next Autumn.
Badged the Revero GTE, it’ll feature electronic torque vectoring and initially be available with either a 75kWh lithium-ion battery with a claimed 321km of range, or a 100kWh lithium-ion battery with 482km of range.
The GTE can be charged up to 80 per cent in under 30 minutes using 150kW DC fast charging.
Karma is also planning to introduce a version with 643km of range by the end of 2021. The company is targeting a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) time for the GTE of less than 3.9 seconds.
Karma has released a single teaser image.
It shows the GTE has similarly dramatic curves to the rest of the Revero range, which have carried over the same core design as the jaw-dropping Fisker Karma that spawned the brand.
The GTE will be built at the same Moreno Valley factory as the wider Karma Revero line-up, which currently comprises Revero, Revero GT (above) and Revero GTS models.
These existing Revero models are based on the short-lived Fisker Karma, the defunct Fisker brand’s only vehicle.
It was manufactured from 2011 until 2012, when production was suspended due to the company’s battery supplier declaring bankruptcy.
Founder Henrik Fisker left Fisker Automotive the following year after disagreements with management and the company declared bankruptcy at the end of 2013.
Wanxiang Group, which also owned Fisker’s battery supplier, bought up all of the company’s assets in 2014, relaunching the Karma in 2016 as the Karma Revero.
The Revero GT and GTS (above) are significantly overhauled versions of the old Fisker Karma and swap out its GM-sourced 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine for a BMW-sourced 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine.
It’s used as a range-extender in conjunction with the 28kWh lithium-ion battery and two electric motors situated on the rear axle.
Total electric range is 128km, while in GTS guise the Revero has a claimed 0-60mph time of under 3.9 seconds – the same as the upcoming GTE.
Pricing for the GTE has yet to be announced but the current Karma flagship, the Revero GTS, costs US$149,950 ($235,306). In comparison, a Tesla Model S Performance costs US$99,990 in the USA ($156,934).
