Do you believe in karma? Well, sometimes karma might take plenty of time to show its action. But, here’s a karma that is pretty fast and too damn furious on roads.
A familiar name in the name of automobiles, Karma Automotive (previously known as Fisker) a califonia-based world class automobile manufacturer was launched in order to provide a path to a more sustainable future with its world-class luxury.
The name “Karma” was chosen because it was relevant to both the old and new brands while providing quite an inspirational message that embodies the manufacturer’s purpose. The company is based on the principle of cause and effect. This implies that a particular action creates your future.
The year was 2008 when the masses were pretty conscious about environmental friendliness. However, the electric cars back then were considered lame and did not ring a bell to buyers. In fact, even for people who belong to the elite category; such as Leonardo Dicaprio, the apex of going green was a Toyota Prius.
This is where Henrik Fisker planned on bringing in something different. This Danish designer made his name with some of the most amazing machines like BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 and more. In 2007, the company was formed and bringing out luxury and style in the electric segment made it one of the most premium selling cars.
The company snagged some VC cash and then after various efforts, the company named Fisker Automotive was formed in Irvine, California. A year later, Karma automotive was formed. Just like the Volt from Chevy, the vehicle had a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that was powered by electricity until the battery went flat. Later it used a gas engine as a generator so users would never be stranded.
However, unlike the Volt, this vehicle was freaking awesome and had curves that made it look like it was formed from a single piece of gentle melted metal and could pull 0 to 60 in just 5.9 seconds. That was FAST!!
Later, the automobile industry in America crumbled and Fisker had offered a new way. Forbes had put the same on the cover under the headline “The Next Detroit.”
Soon after, the US Department of Energy had promised $ 528.7 million and Fisker pledged to start production within 18 months. While he would begin with the luxury market, he wanted to build economical electric cars for the massed within the succeeding years.
Bankruptcy:
2013 was a terrible year for Fisker Automotive. Chinese auto parts giant named Wanxiang Group bought the company’s assets and everything else that remained of the unit at $ 150 million. Today, Wnaxiang is funding a comeback story and its Karma’s Revero.
Currently, the new Karma automotive team based in Moreno Valley California has spent the past 27 months eliminating the car’s many flaws and updating it with 5 years of technical advances.
Revero:
Karma Revero brought out the Revero that reminds us of its predecessors. The exteriors of the car are pretty much similar. This is however, an overly complicated electric with unorthodox looking gear setup. It has glass inserts in the dash and the doors look slightly futuristic.
The rear seats seem pretty cramped and its big batteries leave little trunk space. It does have solar roof that has been updated to give it a great appearance and comes in handy. During real sunny conditions, the car produces 200 watts of electricity per hour and this is enough to power 1.5 miles of emissions-free driving per day.
Unlike its predecessor, however, the Revero works. Crucially, Karma updated the drivetrain. Twin electric motors drive the rear wheels, powered by a 23-kilowatt-hour battery. General Motors makes the two-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine that works as a generator when power runs low. (GM’s not making the engine anymore, so once Karma runs through its stock, it’ll need a new solution.) For now, the Revero will go 50 miles on electricity and deliver 20 miles per gallon when the engine’s running. That’s a bit short of the 2016 Chevy Volt’s 53 all-electric miles and 42 mpg, but Karma’s car thrashes the Detroiter on looks and style.
Bottom line:
Karma made it to time’s 50 best inventions, automobile design of the year and top gear’s luxury car of the year. This definitely had to attract attention and within no time, Al gore put his order in early. Usher had given one to Justin Bieber who in turn wrapped it in chrome. In 2011, Dicaprio took delivery of his karma. It wasn’t a walk in the park for Fisker all this way.
The company outsourced everything, low-headcount and faced engineering problems. It also had poor reliability issues, missing deadlines and delayed loan payments. This steadily improved and the company announced the price of the car to $ 80,000. The production models are sure to fetch more than 6 figures.