Karma Automotive

BMW 1.5L 3-cylinder turbo range extender. 536hp combined system output. Two electric motors. 28kWh lithium-ion battery. 130km electric range improved. 482km total range. 0-60 mph 4.5 seconds. RWD rear-wheel drive. 4996mm length. 3162mm wheelbase. 2313kg curb weight. Four-seat luxury sedan. Henrik Fisker original design maintained. Butterfly grille signature. Solar panel roof standard. Karma connected services. Modern infotainment updated. Advanced driver assistance. Moreno Valley California manufacturing. American luxury brand. Chinese ownership Wanxiang. Limited production exclusive. Handbuilt quality. Design heritage preserved.

GM 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder range extender. 403hp combined output. Two electric motors. 21.4kWh battery pack. 80km electric range. 480km total range extended. RWD rear-wheel drive. 4996mm length. 3162mm wheelbase. 2400kg curb weight. Four-seat configuration. Original Fisker Karma design. Updated components reliability. New infotainment system. Karma branding. Wanxiang Group ownership. Moreno Valley California production. American manufacturing. Limited production numbers. Luxury positioning maintained. Fisker legacy continuation. Revival attempt first.

Dual electric motors. 536hp combined output. 746Nm torque. AWD all-wheel drive. 120kWh battery pack. 708km range estimated impressive. 0-60 mph 3.9 seconds. DC fast charging 350kW capable. 4996mm length. 3162mm wheelbase. 2500kg curb weight estimated. Four-seat luxury sedan. Original Karma design platform. All-electric powertrain conversion. No range extender. Pure EV operation. California manufacturing. American electric luxury. Long range capability. Performance focus maintained. Limited production exclusive. Handcrafted quality. Electric luxury alternative.

When Chinese automotive parts manufacturer Wanxiang Group purchased Fisker's assets in 2014 and created Karma Automotive in 2015, they preserved Henrik Fisker's stunning original design and maintained the tooling at the Moreno Valley, California facility—demonstrating commitment to American manufacturing. The first Revero entered production in 2017 with updated reliability components addressing the original Fisker Karma's shortcomings, BMW powertrain partnership, and modern electronics integration while maintaining the design excellence that made the original car a head-turner. Limited production and handbuilt luxury focus position Karma in the electric luxury segment with multiple powertrain options including PHEV and pure EV configurations, allowing technology evolution while respecting design heritage. Karma represents an unusual case study: an American luxury car manufacturer with Chinese ownership backing that demonstrates long-term commitment to a niche market where design and exclusivity matter more than volume. The company's focus on preserving and perfecting a singular vision rather than chasing trends gives Karma models collector car potential—proving that sometimes the right strategy isn't reinvention but rather refining a beautiful idea until it fulfills its original promise.

The compact yet sophisticated range-extending powerplant that eliminates range anxiety from the Revero GT. This 1,198cc turbocharged inline-three features an aluminum block and head with direct injection and variable valve timing, specifically optimized for constant-RPM generator operation rather than peak power output. The engineering focuses on thermal efficiency: 10.5:1 compression ratio, low-friction diamond-like carbon piston coatings, and an electrically controlled wastegate that maintains optimal backpressure for generator load matching. The integrated generator is a liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous unit producing 260 kW, directly coupled to the engine via a damped coupling that eliminates torsional vibrations. The power electronics employ silicon carbide MOSFET technology with 98% efficiency, while the thermal management system uses three separate coolant circuits for the engine, power electronics, and battery pack. With the engine operating only within its 2,200-3,500 RPM peak efficiency band, it achieves 35% thermal efficiency while generating electricity, providing virtually unlimited range when needed while maintaining all-electric performance for daily driving.

The twin electric motor system that delivers all-wheel drive performance with breathtaking responsiveness. Each rear-wheel-mounted motor produces 200 kW continuous power (260 kW peak) and 1,400 Nm of torque at the wheel, featuring permanent magnet synchronous design with hairpin winding technology for maximum power density. The stator cooling uses direct oil cooling through hollow conductors, allowing sustained high-power output without thermal derating. The power electronics employ dual three-phase inverters with silicon carbide semiconductors operating at 96% efficiency even at peak load. The gear reduction system uses a planetary gearset with 9.73:1 ratio, while the differential is an electronic torque-vectoring unit capable of bi-directional torque distribution. Each motor weighs just 48 kg yet delivers specific power of 4.17 kW/kg, with the complete rear drive unit including motors, gear reduction, and differential weighing 128 kg. The system operates at 800 volts, enabling DC fast charging at up to 150 kW while maintaining peak efficiency of 97% across 80% of its operating range.

The advanced battery pack that provides both exceptional power delivery and thermal stability. This 800-volt architecture uses NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) prismatic cells arranged in 108s2p configuration, with total capacity of 28 kWh and peak discharge capability of 450 kW. The battery management system features cell-level monitoring with passive balancing and thermal runaway propagation prevention between modules. The cooling system employs dual-sided cold plates with dielectric fluid that maintains cell temperature within ±2°C of optimal, while the heating system uses positive temperature coefficient (PTC) elements for cold-weather operation. The structural enclosure is carbon fiber composite with aluminum honeycomb reinforcement, providing both lightweight construction and exceptional rigidity. With peak power density of 16 kW/kg and energy density of 160 Wh/kg, the system enables 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.5 seconds while providing 80 miles of all-electric range. The DC fast charging capability allows 0-80% charge in 45 minutes, while the regenerative braking system can recover up to 150 kW during deceleration.

The high-power range-extending generator developed for the GS-6 Series. This 1,995cc turbocharged inline-four features a fully balanced forged steel crankshaft running in five main bearings, with the generator directly flange-mounted to the engine block for optimal alignment. The cylinder head uses dual overhead cams with 40° of continuous variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust, specifically calibrated for constant 3,200 RPM operation at peak efficiency. The turbocharger employs a variable geometry turbine with electronic wastegate control, maintaining optimal backpressure across the generator's load range. The integrated generator is a liquid-cooled synchronous reluctance-assisted permanent magnet design producing 320 kW, with the complete unit weighing 148 kg. The power electronics use distributed converter architecture with six independent DC-DC converters that can operate in parallel or independently. With thermal efficiency of 37% at its operating point and NVH characteristics optimized for luxury vehicle refinement, this system provides seamless power generation while maintaining cabin tranquility.

The groundbreaking three-motor system developed for the Karma SC2 Concept. This configuration features one front and two rear motors producing combined 1,100 hp, with the front axial flux motor delivering 300 kW and each rear radial flux motor producing 400 kW. The front motor uses yokeless axial flux design with double rotor-single stator configuration, achieving power density of 8.2 kW/kg. The rear motors employ hairpin winding technology with direct oil cooling, capable of sustained 450 kW for track use. The torque vectoring system operates at 8,000 Nm per rear wheel, enabling unprecedented vehicle dynamics control. The carbon fiber rotor construction allows maximum rotor speeds of 18,000 RPM, while the silicon carbide power electronics operate at 99% efficiency. The complete drive system weighs 284 kg and enables 0-60 mph acceleration in 1.9 seconds, with the battery system capable of providing 2 MW peak power discharge for brief periods. The thermal management system uses phase-change material cooling for the power electronics, maintaining optimal temperature even during repeated maximum acceleration events.

The proprietary power electronics that maximize motor efficiency across the entire operating range. This system uses silicon carbide MOSFETs with 120° phase shift between motor windings rather than conventional 120° square wave or sinusoidal drives. The innovative control algorithm reduces harmonic distortion by 40% compared to traditional field-oriented control, while the switching frequency of 40 kHz eliminates audible noise from the motors. The liquid-cooled power modules use direct-bonded copper substrates with silicon nitride ceramic insulation, achieving thermal resistance of 0.15 K/W. The gate drive circuitry incorporates active short-circuit protection and desaturation detection with response time under 2 microseconds. With efficiency of 99.2% at peak power and maintaining over 98% efficiency across 90% of the operating range, this system reduces energy losses by 25% compared to conventional inverters. The compact packaging places the inverter directly adjacent to each motor, minimizing AC cable losses and reducing overall system weight by 18 kg compared to centralized inverter designs.

The revolutionary lightweight construction that defines Karma's performance ethos. The motor housings use continuous carbon fiber winding with aluminum thermal inserts, reducing weight by 55% compared to aluminum housings while improving heat dissipation. The rotor carriers are 3D-printed titanium with optimized lattice structure, providing both extreme strength and effective heat conduction from the rotor magnets. The driveshafts employ carbon fiber composite construction with 70 mm diameter and 2 mm wall thickness, capable of transmitting 3,200 Nm torque while weighing just 4.8 kg each. The bearing system uses ceramic hybrid bearings with diamond-like carbon coatings, reducing friction losses by 35% compared to conventional steel bearings. The complete drive unit including motor, gear reduction, and differential achieves power-to-weight ratio of 3.1 kW/kg, while the acoustic encapsulation uses multi-layer composite materials that reduce motor whine transmission by 15 dB without adding significant weight. This attention to mass reduction enables the vehicle to achieve both exceptional performance and extended electric range.

The sophisticated energy management system that optimizes performance, efficiency, and range. This system employs predictive route-based control that uses navigation data, elevation information, and traffic patterns to pre-allocate battery energy usage. The range extender operates in three distinct modes: Charge-Sustaining mode maintains state of charge between 20-30%, Performance mode keeps battery at 50-70% for maximum power availability, and Stealth mode operates as pure EV until battery reaches minimum threshold. The thermal management system coordinates between battery cooling, power electronics temperature, and range extender waste heat recovery, using a heat pump system that can redirect thermal energy where most needed. The regenerative braking system employs blended braking with electronic stability control integration, capable of recovering up to 0.5G deceleration energy while maintaining optimal brake balance. The system learns driver behavior over time, adapting energy allocation based on typical routes and driving style, while the over-the-air update capability allows continuous improvement of the control algorithms throughout the vehicle's life.

The revolutionary battery monitoring technology that enhances reliability while reducing weight. This system uses distributed monitoring units that communicate wirelessly with the central BMS controller at 2.4 GHz with redundant 900 MHz backup. Each cell monitoring unit measures voltage with ±2 mV accuracy and temperature at three points per cell, with communication latency under 10 milliseconds. The wireless design eliminates 3.2 km of wiring that would otherwise be needed, reducing weight by 12 kg and improving reliability by eliminating connector corrosion issues. The system employs frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology with 128-bit encryption, ensuring robust communication even in electrically noisy environments. The monitoring units are powered by the cells they monitor, with ultra-low-power design drawing just 18 μA during normal operation. The system can detect internal short circuits developing up to 30 minutes before thermal runaway occurs, providing early warning to the safety systems. This technology represents a significant advancement in battery safety and reliability while contributing to overall vehicle efficiency through weight reduction.

The advanced NVH control technology that maintains luxury refinement during range extender operation. This system uses 12 accelerometers strategically placed throughout the vehicle structure and 8 speakers specifically dedicated to active noise cancellation. The control algorithm processes vibration data in real-time, generating counter-vibrations through the active engine mounts and anti-noise through the cancellation speakers. The system can cancel vibrations up to 500 Hz, covering the fundamental firing frequency and first two harmonics of the range extender engine. The active engine mounts use piezoelectric actuators capable of 400 N force with response time under 5 milliseconds, while the cancellation speakers employ neodymium magnets and carbon fiber diaphragms for precise response. The system reduces perceived noise by 12 dB during range extender operation, making it virtually indistinguishable from all-electric mode at cruising speeds. This technology ensures that the Karma driving experience remains serene regardless of power source, maintaining the luxury ambiance that defines the brand.

The vehicle-to-grid technology that transforms the vehicle into a mobile power source. This system supports CHAdeMO protocol for DC bidirectional power transfer up to 30 kW, allowing the vehicle to power homes during outages or feed electricity back to the grid. The power electronics use gallium nitride transistors rather than silicon carbide for the bidirectional converter, achieving efficiency of 97.5% in both directions. The system includes islanding detection and anti-islanding protection, ensuring safe operation when grid power is unavailable. The household integration package includes a 20 kW transfer switch and power conditioning unit that maintains pure sine wave output with less than 3% total harmonic distortion. With the 28 kWh battery capacity, the system can power an average American home for approximately 24 hours, while the range extender can provide indefinite power for essential loads. This technology positions Karma vehicles not just as transportation, but as integrated energy storage solutions that can participate in grid stabilization and emergency power provision.

The integrated photovoltaic system that extends range through solar energy harvesting. This system uses triple-junction gallium arsenide solar cells with 34% conversion efficiency, arranged across 1.2 square meters of roof surface. The solar cells are encapsulated between layers of chemically strengthened glass with anti-reflective coating, providing both structural integrity and maximum light transmission. The power conditioning system uses distributed maximum power point tracking with 16 independent optimizers, ensuring optimal harvest even with partial shading. Under ideal conditions, the system generates 1.2 kW peak power, adding approximately 4 miles of range per day of optimal sunshine. The system includes a solar irradiance sensor that automatically angles the rear spoiler to optimize sun exposure when parked, increasing energy capture by 18%. The solar energy can either charge the traction battery directly or power vehicle accessories, reducing the load on the main battery system. This technology represents Karma's commitment to maximizing energy efficiency through every available means, reducing the carbon footprint of vehicle operation.

The electronic limited-slip differential that enhances both performance and safety. This system uses twin clutches capable of transferring up to 2,200 Nm of torque between rear wheels, with response time of 100 milliseconds from command to full torque transfer. The clutch packs are electronically controlled with position feedback, allowing precise torque distribution from 0-100% to either wheel. The control system integrates with vehicle dynamics controllers, using data from steering angle, lateral acceleration, yaw rate, and wheel speed sensors to optimize torque distribution for each driving situation. During cornering, the system can over-drive the outer wheel by up to 5%, effectively steering the vehicle with torque distribution. The differential housing is magnesium alloy with internal oil passages that provide both lubrication and cooling for the clutch packs. During regenerative braking, the system can vary braking force between rear wheels to maintain stability while maximizing energy recovery. This technology provides the handling precision expected of a luxury sports sedan while enhancing both performance and safety margins.

The core of Karma's drivetrain is a simple yet highly effective single-speed reduction gearbox attached to each of the twin electric drive motors on the rear axle. There are no gears to shift; power from the electric motors is delivered directly to the wheels through a fixed gear ratio that optimizes the motor's RPM range for vehicle speed. This setup provides instantaneous, seamless, and continuous acceleration from 0 to top speed with no shift interruptions, a hallmark of electric vehicles. The lack of a multi-speed transmission reduces weight, mechanical complexity, and power loss. The gearbox is sealed and requires minimal maintenance. The driving experience is defined by smooth, silent, and relentless electric power, with the gasoline engine (a BMW-derived turbocharged three-cylinder in the Revero GT/GS-6) operating independently as an onboard generator to recharge the battery pack, not to drive the wheels.

This is the branded name for Karma's proprietary electrified powertrain management system. While not a physical transmission, Karma Drive acts as the electronic 'brain' that orchestrates the entire powertrain, replacing the role of a traditional transmission control module. It seamlessly manages the power flow between the gasoline generator, the high-voltage battery pack, and the twin electric motors. It features multiple drive modes (Stealth, Sustain, Sport) that drastically alter the vehicle's character. In Stealth mode, it prioritizes all-electric driving for short trips. In Sustain mode, it strategically runs the generator to maintain the battery charge for longer journeys. In Sport mode, it commands maximum power from both the battery and the generator for peak acceleration. This system represents the transmission of power and intent, providing a uniquely customizable and refined electrified driving experience.

A compact and integrated unit that houses the two AC permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, their respective single-speed reduction gearboxes, and the differential. This all-in-one design saves space, improves weight distribution, and reduces the number of separate components in the driveline. Each motor produces significant torque, and the combined output is channeled through the differential to the rear wheels. The design prioritizes packaging efficiency and reliability, contributing to the vehicle's low center of gravity and balanced chassis dynamics. The entire unit is liquid-cooled to manage the thermal loads generated during sustained high-performance driving.