The 2020 Karma Revero GT is destined to make a big splash in the 2019 Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach. Karma says the new Revero GT is available for a test drive and will also present the new Karma GT by Pininfarina at the much-awaited event. Fortunately, the SC1 Vision Concept will also be in full display.
But for now, the hottest topic is the 2020 Karma Revero GT. Unlike full-electric cars, the Revero GT is tracking the footsteps left behind by the Fisker Karma, a car on which the Revero GT is loosely based. It first arrived at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show with first deliveries commencing in the fourth quarter of this year.
The Karma Revero GT looks familiar
That’s fine because the Revero GT is essentially a retooled version of the Fisker Karma. According to Karma Automotive, the Revero GT is inspired by California’s fledgling aerospace industry. It carries the same uncompromised bodily proportions of the Fisker Karma along with a wider wheel-base, flowing fender lines, and a long dash-to-axle ratio.
The bowed-in body lines flow gently and cleanly from the front to the rear of the car. The front end is clearly inspired by the turbines and wing sections of an aircraft. Adding a touch of modernity are new LED headlights and taillights that wrap around the bodywork. The Revero GT has an elegant and bold aerodynamic shape to slice the wind with utmost efficiency.
It has a new hybrid-electric powertrain
Karma Automotive threw away the old 2.0-liter four-cylinder GM-sourced mill in the Fisker Karma and gave the Revero GT a smaller motor. But this time, it’s a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine from the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. This motor supplies juice to the new 28 kWh battery pack for an all-electric driving range of 61 miles and a combined 280-miles (450 km) using gasoline and electric power.
But for some much-needed grunt, the Revero GT also comes with a pair of electric motors. Together with the petrol mill, the hybrid-electric powertrain produces 535-horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque, which is 132-horsepower more than the outgoing Revero.
It’s also lighter, too
Shoehorning a smaller petrol engine helps greatly in reducing weight, but the Karma Revero GT also benefits from a redesigned battery pack. As a result, the Revero GT has a lower curb weight of 5,050pounds (2,290 kgs) compared to the 5,407 pounds of the old Revero.
Honestly, this doesn’t make the Revero GT a lightweight, point-and-shoot sports car, but that’s not the point. This car feels most glorious while speeding on the highway, and you’ll look fabulous while doing it.
It’s not a sports car, but it scoots like one
What else can you expect from a hybrid-electric powertrain producing 535-horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque? Karma says the Revero GT can scoot from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5-seconds and achieve a top speed of 125 mph (201 kph).
Not enough? Hold your horses. Karma Automotive is releasing a performance version of the Revero GT, which they fondly call the Revero GTS. This future S version of the GT reportedly sprints to 60 mph in only 3.9-seconds. However, the Revero GTS is slated to arrive later in 2020.
The Karma Revero GT is proudly made in the USA
Karma Automotive is planning to build 12,000 to 13,000 cars each year in their California plant. First deliveries of the Revero GT are expected to arrive near the end of 2019. While Karma is yet to release pricing and specs, we expect the Revero GT to start around $135,000 to $140,000 when it officially goes on sale.
But if you want to see and experience the Revero GT ahead of everyone else, the car will be on full display at the 2019 Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach from August 15 to 18.
