The Karma Chameleon: Changing its Colors, But Does it Redefine Electric Luxury?
Well, fellow car enthusiasts, you and I have seen it all, haven’t we? From gasoline guzzlers to boats that float on air, we've traveled through it all. But it seems like there's no rest for the wicked or the journalists. Listen up, because Karma Automotive is throwing a new wrench into the works!
Now, for those of you living under an actual rock (or possibly a 1995 Ford Escort), Karma Automotive is like that awkward teenager who changed his name and look so many times, it's hard to keep track. Born from the ashes of Fisker Automotive (whose own model was called...wait for it...Karma!), it's been quite the rollercoaster. They say every dog has its day, but for Karma, it’s been more of a decade-long day.
Karma Revero GTE
I remember the Revero, the Karma reincarnation, which took its first public breath in 2016, looking almost identical to the Fisker, much like Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger from "Twins." Yet, in 2019, it went under the knife to drop that unfortunate mustache grille. Apparently, Karma also binged on battery capacity, upping their game from a 21kWh to a beefier 28 kilowatt-hour one. Power up!
Yet, despite these efforts, Karma seemed to be that kid in class who tried his best but never quite made it to the honor roll. Annually producing vehicles that you could probably count on two hands and maybe a foot. So, are we surprised they've been plotting and scheming to make their mark? Not really. Every protagonist needs their second wind, after all.
Karma Revero GTS
Enter Marques McCammon, the fresh-faced president as of April 2023. McCammon seems to have a vision, a dream of a world where Karma doesn't just mean the force behind what happens when you step on a Lego barefoot. His goal? "Timeless luxury and design with forward-looking technology," as he told InsideEVs. In simpler terms, he wants Karma cars to be the Marilyn Monroe of electric vehicles, timeless and aspirational.
But here’s where I smirk (just a bit!). Instead of a fresh start, McCammon wants to "embrace the past." I mean, why not? If you can't beat them, confuse them! They’re soon to reveal "more than two" vehicles. That's right, Karma is breaking free and making...well, more than two! And despite the electric rave, they're not ditching the hybrid powertrain. In McCammon's words, it's like a cocktail with no compromise. Maybe the kind of cocktail that leaves you wondering the next morning, why?!
Delving into the geeky stuff – it seems Karma's cars will likely feature T-shaped battery packs, giving drivers a feeling similar to sitting in a fighter jet. But if you’re thinking of taking your pals for a spin, they might have to fold like origami in the back.
McCammon and his troop seem to aim for the stars, with the promise of a car that will make heads turn even fifteen years down the line. Well, Mr. McCammon, color me intrigued, but also color me skeptical. This upcoming model, with its lavish tags and promises, better make us drop our coffee mugs in astonishment.
So, as we brace for this new chapter of Karma Automotive, let's see if this chameleon can truly redefine American luxury.
Yours truly,
Captain Electro
