The Fisker Karma is back from the dead, and it looks a little different... but only if you look at photos of the Karma Revero and its Fisker predecessor side by side for a few minutes. Truth be told, no one was expecting the Revero to deviate much, aside from items like wheels and badges; that was the point of buying a turnkey car production business for new owner Wanxiang. The Revero will be unveiled to the public in a matter of weeks, and the car company's new owner has just dropped a few hints about how the extended-range electric sedan will be different this time around.
The Fisker's solar roof is still there, but now Karma Automotive says that it, "will create enough energy to power the car." Now there's something we need more details on, but all that Karma is saying for now is that, "No other vehicle sold in the US has ever offered this capability. Our owners consider our solar roof an important element in our brand identity, and we listened." The front and rear Karma badges on each Revero will be are hand-painted. "No other car company has ever done this," Karma says. "Consider it a small but symbolic statement about craftsmanship and individuality." Sure, fine. Lastly, Karma says the infotainment system will be updated and says, "Our new infotainment system represents a departure from the norm. It is simple, intuitive, and beautiful. If you like a 200 page supplement to the owner's manual to describe your infotainment system, look elsewhere." If this all sounds a bit exclusive, you're right. Jim Taylor, Karma's chief revenue officer, said in a statement that, "Serving a mass market is not, and never will be, our purpose. The Revero is for a discerning group of individuals who desire beautiful, clean vehicles and a memorable ownership experience. We are thrilled to start this journey."
The relaunched automaker is keeping more pertinent details, such as the pure-electric range of the updated sedan under its solar panels for now, but expect a small gasoline engine giving two electric motors a boost, once again. The original Fisker Karma had an EPA-certified pure-electric range of 32 miles and a gasoline-electric range of 230 filled and charged to capacity; the Revero is expected to surpass these numbers as battery tech has moved on since then. But most industry observers are not expecting the Revero to challenge the 107-mile fully charged range of a Nissan Leaf. Sales are scheduled to start in late 2016 at 10 locations in North America --eight in the U.S. and two in Canada-- with Karma planning to open its own factory-owned boutiques, Tesla-style.
