First Look, Again: Karma Revero

When Fisker first introduced the world to the Karma, almost every automotive analyst pegged the company as an automaker to challenge Tesla. However, Fisker separated itself from Musk and the gang by producing a hybrid-electric with a truly timeless design. The company didn't want an iPad on wheels. Yet time proved that the Karma wasn't able at the time to take on that fight. Fisker went bust before it could reveal its full potential. Four years later, the company is back, now with the Karma Revero, semi-new management, and enough capital to propel Karma Automotive to its original potential.

Rebirth

Karma Automotive is still comprised of a group of passionate people; the company's chief vehicle designer teared up as he spoke about the original car he helped bring into the world. Yet, it now has the backing from Wanxiang, the Chinese investment group that also bought Karma's battery supplier, A123. Wannxiangxiang is worth $23 billion in its home country alone and its North American arm is worth an additional $3.5 billion, so the firm has significant resources.

Karma Automotive the blessing of the investment group's CEO and founder to use these resources, meaning that Wanxiang will provide the infusion of funds Karma needs to be a success. Yet, Wanxiang isn't micro-managing the renewed automaker. According to Karma Automotive, the Chinese company wants Karma to succeed and will let its employees do what they do best: build fabulous cars.

Renewal

From Karma Automotive's executives, a key part of the Karma's reintroduction is the rebranding effort and distancing itself from the problems that plagued Fisker; i.e. quality control, supplier problems, issues revolving around cooling, range, and more. Essentially, the company rebuilt itself from the foundation up, including how the car is built and how the company does business.

To that end, it was found that the original car's engineering wasn't done to the standards of the new Vehicle Line Engineer, Carl Jenkins. He, with the rest of the senior staff, revised much of the process and engineering done in the original car. For instance, the entire wiring loom was redesigned, which was according to him, "a package and grounding nightmare." His team also improved the thermal management after he took a car through the canyons only to have three separate warning lights alert him in the first few minutes. Additionally, there were airflow, software, battery, and other upgrades made.

Design Forward

One piece the new team knew they needed to carry over from the Karma to the Revero was the design, which the team considers timeless. Only minor changes were made to the elegant shape penned by Henrik Fisker. Pieces on the grille were tucked, tugged, and lightly breathed on, but the overall shape was left alone, and for good reason as the final result is absolute beauty. The only other piece that Karma Automotive spent time on is the new hood emblem.

Here, Karma Automotive wanted something that would encapsulate not only the company's rebirth, but that captured a "careful harmony of opposing contrasts" and resembled a piece of fine jewelry, according to Alexander Klatt, VP of Global Design. Each emblem is handmade and is adorned by the artist's signature, furthering the jewelry theme and the design-centric focus the company embodies.

Capabilities

As for the Revero's actual functionality, much of the mid-mounted lithium-ion hybrid drivetrain and specifications are carried over from the Karma. The Revero will feature the same total range of 300 miles, with a purely electric range of 50 miles. The same four-cylinder GM-supplied Ecotec engine as the Karma acts as the Revero's range extender, supplying energy to the car's batteries. The Karma's solar panels have been upgraded to provide 1.5 miles of electric charge and have been incorporated into the car's overall design with a darker finish that helps it dissolve into the roof's structure.

At launch, the timing of which is still yet to be determined as the company is still in the process of testing and verification, the Revero will be able to hit 60 miles per hour in just 5.4 seconds in Sport mode and owners will be able to use the company's fast-charging to bring the Revero's battery to 80 percent full in just 24 minutes, faster than Tesla's Supercharger.

The Revero also makes use of an infotainment system that uses a crystalline theme carried throughout the interior and exterior. Unlike the original Karma, the newly built system, an in-house creation, is faster, uses a hi-definition display, and is equipped with a dedicated 4G connection that supports hybrid maps, over-the-air updates for both the infotainment system and the car's firmware, as well as Apple's CarPlay and Android's Auto.

When finally launched, likely within the next 12 months, the Revero will come with a base price of $130,000. Owners will be offered a range of color combinations inspired by the surroundings of the company's production facility in Moreno Valley, California.

Future

Karma Automotive is a company that's looking beyond the immediate future. The company wants more models, though it won't officially state that it intends to build more. However, shown during the Revero's launch was a sculpture the company commissioned that, according to its executives, "looks to an aesthetic" that future vehicles could use. To our trained eyes, it looks like the company's blueprint for its second car, a two-door sports coupe that could be even more beautiful than the Revero.

At the unveiling, Karma Automotive's chief revenue officer said, "We are building each Revero with the workmanship and attention to detail required for a discerning customer looking for a car without compromises."